Step-by-step guide to reaching downtown Washington DC by Metro from Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD).
The easiest airport commute in America. Metro connects directly from inside the terminal — no shuttle, no taxi needed.
From Terminals B and C, follow signs to the Metro — it's a covered walkway (1–2 min walk). From Terminal A, take the free airport shuttle to Terminals B/C, then walk to Metro.
Tap your SmarTrip card, contactless card, or phone. If you don't have one, buy a SmarTrip card at the kiosk (cash or card accepted). Visitor day passes are also available here. See full fare guide →
Both lines stop at Reagan Airport. Blue Line: toward Largo Town Center (goes through Metro Center). Yellow Line: toward Greenbelt (goes through Gallery Place). Both reach the core downtown area in 12–15 minutes.
Metro Center (Blue/Orange/Silver/Red), L'Enfant Plaza (all lines except Red), Gallery Place–Chinatown (Red/Yellow/Green), and Pentagon City are all direct stops. Always tap out when you exit — forgetting charges you the maximum fare.
The Silver Line Phase 2 extension opened November 15, 2022. For the first time, DC's largest international airport has direct Metro access.
The Washington Dulles International Airport Metro station is connected to the main terminal. From baggage claim, follow "Metro / Silver Line" signs. The station is underground — take the escalator or elevator down. No shuttle required.
Tap a SmarTrip card, contactless card, or phone (Apple Pay/Google Pay). Or buy a visitor pass at the kiosk. The fare from Dulles to Metro Center is $3.85–$6.75 depending on peak vs. off-peak. Full fares →
All Silver Line trains from Dulles head toward DC. You don't need to transfer for the main downtown stations (Tysons Corner, Foggy Bottom, Metro Center, Stadium-Armory). Trains run every 10–15 minutes.
At Metro Center, you can transfer to the Red Line (north/south), Blue or Orange line. At L'Enfant Plaza, transfer to Yellow or Green. Most tourists won't need to transfer — the Silver Line stops at all major downtown stations.
BWI does not have a Metro station, but connects to DC via MARC commuter rail or Amtrak to Union Station, where you catch the Red Line.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is 30 miles north of DC in Maryland. There are two rail options for reaching downtown DC:
Free shuttle bus from BWI terminal to BWI Rail Station → MARC train to Union Station → Red Line Metro. Total time: ~55–70 min. MARC fare: $8–$9. Metro fare: ~$2 extra. Cheapest option. Note: MARC only runs on weekdays.
Same free shuttle to BWI Rail Station → Amtrak Northeast Regional to Union Station → Red Line Metro. Total time: ~45–55 min. Amtrak fare: $15–$35 depending on booking. Runs 7 days a week.
Common questions about getting to and from Reagan, Dulles, and BWI by Metro.
Reagan National Airport (DCA) is the best for Metro access — it's a 15-minute ride to Metro Center with direct Blue and Yellow Line service from inside the terminal. DCA is ideal if you're staying downtown. Dulles (IAD) also has Metro service now (Silver Line, ~55 min), but the longer journey and slightly higher fares make DCA the easier choice.
Yes — the Dulles Airport station is part of the Silver Line extension (Phase 2), which opened on November 15, 2022. This added 6 new stations from Reston Town Center to Ashburn, including the airport. Before Phase 2, Dulles had no Metro service and required a bus or taxi to downtown.
The last trains from Reagan Airport are approximately 11:20 PM Monday–Thursday, 12:45 AM Friday and Saturday nights, and 10:45 PM Sunday. If your flight arrives after those times, you'll need a rideshare or taxi. Check the Metro schedule page for exact times.
Significantly cheaper. The Metro fare from Dulles to Metro Center is $3.85–$6.75. A taxi or rideshare from Dulles to downtown DC typically costs $65–$90+, and can be much more during peak traffic (I-66 is frequently congested). A family of 4 saves over $250 roundtrip by taking Metro. See our full fares page for all prices.
Yes, but it requires a transfer. Take Blue or Yellow Line from Reagan to Metro Center, transfer to Silver Line toward Ashburn, ride to Washington Dulles International Airport. Total journey is approximately 70 minutes and costs around $5–$6.75 depending on the time of day. This is a great option for catching a connecting flight at the other airport.
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