On a recent trip to Washington, DC, we flew into Dulles Airport and returned home from Washington National (DCA). This worked well because we stayed near Dulles initially, then moved into the city for sightseeing.
Taking the Silver Line from Dulles Airport
After spending our first night at the Dulles Airport Crowne Plaza, we needed to get to Washington, DC. The DC Metro’s Silver Line now extends all the way to Dulles International Airport, making it a convenient and cost-effective alternative to ride-shares or taxis. This extension integrates Dulles into the full Metro network, so you can connect to multiple lines without leaving the system.
We decided to take the Silver Line — not only was it much cheaper than booking an Uber or Lyft, but it also gave us a chance to try the newest connection to the airport.
Paying Your Fare with a SmarTrip Card or Contactless Payment
The first thing we needed to do was to purchase a SmarTrip card from a station vending machine. A new card costs $2 (as of 2025) plus whatever fare you want to load. The fare you pay for a ride on the DC Metro depends on several factors:
Fares for Metro vary based on the service, ride length, day, and time you ride.
Each station has a guide showing the fare from your departure station to anywhere on the network, with different prices for peak and off-peak travel.
You can also skip buying a physical SmarTrip card and instead pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or a tap-enabled credit/debit card — the system works the same way.
For our first trip from Innovation Center (the closest station to our hotel) to Metro Center (the nearest stop to the Grand Hyatt), the off-peak fare was around $4. I purchased two cards and, while I transferred my card to my iPhone, Sharon kept her physical card.
How the DC Metro Fare System Works
For those not familiar with the DC Metro system, it’s what I’d call a dual-tap system. Your first tap gets you into the station, but you don’t actually pay your fare until you tap out at your destination. That’s because the cost is based on how far you travel, when you travel, and the service you use.
If you don’t have enough value on your card when you try to exit, you can’t leave until you add funds. There are kiosks where you can top up your balance at your destination station. I had to add 25 cents to each of our cards when I miscalculated the fare for the trip back to our hotel. (And caught the appropriate amount of grief for not loading enough money on our cards at the start of the trip.) (Note from Sharon: And deservedly so)
Tip: Peak hours and fare structures can change. Check WMATA’s official fare calculator for the most current rates before you ride.
The Ride from Dulles to Downtown DC
Back to our trip from Dulles. The Metro was nearly empty when we boarded at the airport, and it didn’t get much more crowded until we approached the city.
Crowding can vary widely depending on the time of day and whether you’re traveling during weekday rush hours, weekends, or off-peak times.
The trip to Metro Center took about an hour, which is typical for this route. While it’s not the fastest option compared to a direct car service, the cost savings can be significant — especially if you’re traveling solo or in a small group. Considering the price of a ride-share from Dulles to downtown, the Metro is an excellent value.
Taking the Metro to Washington National Airport (DCA)
At the end of our trip, we took a Blue Line train from our hotel to Washington National Airport (DCA). The airport is directly connected to the Metro system via the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Station, located just steps from the terminal entrances.
DCA is one of the most convenient airports in the U.S. for public transit access — no shuttles, long walks, or transfers are required if you’re staying near a Blue or Yellow Line station. From downtown DC, the ride to the airport typically takes less than 20 minutes, depending on your starting point.
Staying Near a Metro Station
I stayed at the Grand Hyatt because it’s located near Metro Center station, which offers easy connections to both Dulles and Washington National Airports. No matter where you stay, choosing a hotel within walking distance of a Metro station can save you time and money on transportation.
Washington DC’s compact layout makes it easy to get around without a car. Many top attractions are within walking distance of one another, and the Metro can take you nearly everywhere else. If you need to go somewhere the Metro doesn’t reach, ride-share services like Lyft and Uber are widely available.
Final Thoughts
The DC Metro makes it easy — and affordable — to travel between the city and both Dulles and Washington National Airports. With the Silver Line now serving Dulles and the Blue and Yellow Lines connecting directly to DCA, you can avoid expensive ride-shares and still get where you need to go quickly.
If you plan your hotel location with Metro access in mind and take advantage of contactless payments, you’ll find getting around DC to be straightforward and budget-friendly.
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2 comments
Worth noting that you don’t need to purchase the $2 physical card to start on your iPhone. You can create and load it directly using Apple Pay.
I have an upcoming trip in June that brings me back to the US via Dulles and my domestic flight leaves out of National as well… but I also found out the Metro is doing work that will shut down part of the silver line between McLean and Ballston so they have a shuttle from Dulles to McLean and Rosslyn, where I can pick up the Blue line from the latter to National.
I gave myself 4 hours for this trip, expecting to use the rail the whole way, but would this be enough time with the replacement shuttle bus?