How much is a taxi from IAD to downtown Washington, D.C.?

Taxi fares: about $70–$90. The ride takes 35–60 min depending on traffic.

Which airlines fly from IAD?

Airlines at IAD include United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, Air Canada, Copa Airlines, Avianca, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air France, KLM, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Icelandair, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Saudia, ANA (All Nippon Airways), Korean Air and Air India. It's not a complete list: smaller and seasonal airlines come and go, so check the airport's flight board for your route.

Can I leave IAD on a layover?

Yes, if you have at least 3 h 30 min: that covers getting out of the airport, the round trip to downtown Washington, D.C., an hour there and getting back through security.

Are there lounges at IAD?

United Clubs and Polaris Lounge; Capital One Lounge.

Is there a hotel at IAD?

No hotel inside the terminal; hotels nearby run shuttles.

How long do I need to connect at IAD?

We recommend at least 50 min for a domestic connection in the same terminal, and more for a terminal change or after an international arrival. Our IAD connection guide breaks it down step by step.

Where is the cheapest parking at IAD?

Economy lots with shuttles, the cheapest. Rates change with demand, so check and book ahead on the airport's site.

Where do international flights arrive at IAD?

Arriving from abroad, you clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), collect your checked bags, drop them at the recheck belt and go through TSA security again before your connection.

How do I find cheap flights from Washington, D.C.?

Add IAD as a home airport on Good Flight Deals and we'll email you when fares from Washington, D.C. drop well below normal. You book directly with the airline.

Washington, D.C. · airport guide

IAD Airport guide

Q: Do I have to go through security again if I change terminals at IAD?

No. The AeroTrain and underground walkways connect the concourses inside security. A few gates are still served by mobile lounges.

Washington Dulles International Airport has Main Terminal and midfield Concourses A, B, C and D. The quickest way from IAD to downtown Washington, D.C. is the Metro Silver Line (about 55 minutes, about $6).

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Transit to downtown Washington, D.C.

55 min

Metro Silver Line, about $6

Taxi

35–60 min

about $70–$90

Connecting here

50 min

Domestic to domestic, same terminal

Leave on a layover

3 h 30 min+

Layover you need to visit the city

Quick answer

The quickest way from IAD to downtown Washington, D.C. is the Metro Silver Line (about 55 minutes, about $6). Connecting here, allow at least 50 min for a domestic connection in the same terminal. Airlines here include United, American, Delta, Southwest and Alaska.

Terminals: Main Terminal and midfield Concourses A, B, C and D
Taxi: 35–60 min, about $70–$90
Connecting: At least 50 min for a domestic connection in the same terminal
Lounges: United Clubs and Polaris Lounge; Capital One Lounge

Getting from IAD to downtown Washington, D.C.

Fares are one way and approximate; check the operator before you travel.

Metro Silver Lineto Metro Center, downtownabout 55 minabout $6
Taxi or rideshare35–60 minabout $70–$90

Inside IAD

Terminals and connections

The AeroTrain and underground walkways connect the concourses inside security. A few gates are still served by mobile lounges.

How long a layover you need at IAD

Lounges

•United Clubs and Polaris Lounge
•Capital One Lounge

Sleep, showers and hotels

•No hotel inside the terminal; hotels nearby run shuttles

Parking at IAD

•Economy lots with shuttles, the cheapest
•Daily garages next to the terminal

Rates change with demand and booking ahead is usually cheaper: check IAD's official site.

IAD tips

•United flies mainly from Concourses C and D.

Can you leave IAD on a layover?

With at least 3 h 30 min between flights, yes. Here's where the time goes.

Off the plane and out of the airport20 min
To downtown Washington, D.C. and back, the fastest way1 h 10 min
Time in town worth the trip1 h
Back through security to your gate1 h
Layover you need3 h 30 min

Keep your bags checked through and carry your boarding pass for the next flight. On a long layover, a hotel day room or lounge can be a better use of the time than a rushed trip into town.

Airlines at IAD

Major airlines that fly from IAD (not a complete list). Check the bag rules before you pack.

United Airlines Carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in Bag fees
American Airlines Carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in Bag fees
Delta Air Lines Carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in Bag fees
Southwest Airlines Carry-on 24 × 16 × 10 in Bag fees
Alaska Airlines Carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in Bag fees
JetBlue Carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in Bag fees
Frontier Airlines Carry-on 24 × 16 × 10 in Bag fees
Air Canada Carry-on 55 × 40 × 23 cm Bag fees
Copa Airlines Carry-on 22 × 14 × 10 in Bag fees
Avianca Carry-on 55 × 35 × 25 cm Bag fees
British Airways Carry-on 56 × 45 × 25 cm Bag fees
Virgin Atlantic Carry-on 56 × 36 × 23 cm Bag fees
Lufthansa Carry-on 55 × 40 × 23 cm Bag fees
SWISS Carry-on 55 × 40 × 23 cm Bag fees
Austrian Airlines Carry-on 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Brussels Airlines Carry-on 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Air France Carry-on 55 × 35 × 25 cm Bag fees
KLM Carry-on 55 × 35 × 25 cm Bag fees
Iberia Carry-on 56 × 40 × 25 cm Bag fees
Aer Lingus Carry-on 55 × 40 × 24 cm Bag fees
Icelandair Carry-on 55 × 40 × 20 cm Bag fees
Turkish Airlines Carry-on 55 × 40 × 23 cm Bag fees
Emirates Carry-on 55 × 38 × 20 cm Bag fees
Qatar Airways Carry-on 50 × 37 × 25 cm Bag fees
Etihad Airways Carry-on 56 × 36 × 23 cm Bag fees
Saudia Carry-on 56 × 45 × 25 cm
ANA (All Nippon Airways) Carry-on 55 × 40 × 25 cm Bag fees
Korean Air Carry-on 55 × 40 × 20 cm Bag fees
Air India Carry-on 55 × 40 × 20 cm

IAD airport FAQ

The quickest option is the Metro Silver Line to Metro Center, downtown: about 55 minutes for about $6. A taxi takes 35–60 min (about $70–$90).

Cheap flights from Washington, D.C. (IAD)The latest fare drops we've found from IAD.

Sources

Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Fares, lounges, airlines and parking change; check with the operator or airport before you travel.

Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.

Cheap flights from Washington, D.C.

Pick your home airports and we'll email you when fares drop well below normal. You book directly with the airline.

Get flight deals free See Premium+ plans

Free plan available · 14-day free Premium+ trial · Cancel anytime