About Washington Dulles Airport Station
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) gained direct Metrorail access on November 15, 2022, when Silver Line Phase 2 opened after years of planning and construction. The station makes Dulles one of the few major US international airports with direct rail access — no shuttle, no bus connection needed.
The station was built above ground next to daily parking garage 1; an underground station closer to the terminal was dropped in 2011 to cut project costs. Travellers reach the Main Terminal through the airport's existing pedestrian tunnel, which is fitted with moving walkways and comes out at the baggage claim level. The ride to downtown DC's Metro Center station takes approximately 53 minutes, traveling through Reston, Tysons, and the Foggy Bottom–GWU stop.
The surrounding Dulles Corridor — with stops at Herndon, Reston Town Center, and Wiehle–Reston East — connects tech-industry workers and airport travelers alike into the DC Metro network for the first time via rail.
Lines & Schedule
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Peak service (Mon–Fri 5–9:30am, 3–7pm): every 10 min. Off-peak and weekends: every 15 min. First train to DC ~5:00am weekdays. Last train from DC shortly before midnight on weekdays, ~2am Fri–Sat.
Nearby Attractions
Station Exits
Rider Tips
- Fares rise with distance and Dulles is close to the far end of the network. On a weekday between 5:00 AM and 9:30 PM the trip to Metro Center reaches the $6.75 system maximum, and is capped at $2.50 after 9:30pm and at weekends. Buy or load your SmarTrip before arriving if possible, or use tap-to-pay at the station kiosk.
- Allow extra time on top of the 53-minute ride to reach Metro Center or Capitol Hill — you still have to walk the pedestrian tunnel from the terminal and wait for the train.
- The Silver Line cars have overhead racks and floor space for luggage. Trains to downtown are rarely standing-room-only from Dulles, so you'll almost always find a seat for the long ride.
- Late-arriving flights may miss the last Metro. Last train from Dulles toward DC leaves around 11:15pm on weeknights. Check the schedule before your flight lands to avoid an expensive rideshare.
- To reach the Blue Line, transfer at Rosslyn or any shared station along the route; for the Yellow and Green lines, transfer at L'Enfant Plaza. Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom are convenient for Georgetown and the West End.
Adjacent Stations on the Silver Line
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Metro ride from Dulles Airport to downtown DC?
The Silver Line ride from Washington Dulles International Airport station to Metro Center is approximately 55 minutes with no transfers. The train passes through Innovation Center, Herndon, Reston Town Center, Wiehle–Reston East, Spring Hill, Greensboro, Tysons and McLean before heading into DC via Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom.
How do you get from the Dulles Metro station to the terminal?
The station is an above-ground station beside daily parking garage 1, linked to the Main Terminal by the airport's existing pedestrian tunnel — the same one that serves the parking areas — which has moving walkways and comes out at the baggage claim level. Passengers arriving at Dulles just follow the Metro signs; no shuttle or bus is needed.
How much does the Metro from Dulles to DC cost?
Dulles Airport is the farthest point on the network from downtown, so the trip to Metro Center reaches the $6.75 system maximum on a weekday between 5:00 AM and 9:30 PM. After 9:30 PM and all weekend the same trip is capped at $2.50. Up to two children age 4 and under ride free with each fare-paying adult.
When did the Metro open at Dulles Airport?
The Silver Line Phase 2 extension — which added 6 stations from Wiehle–Reston East to Ashburn, including the Dulles Airport station — opened on November 15, 2022. The project was years in the making and transformed the Dulles Corridor into a fully rail-connected commuter destination.