Dulles International Airport

On November 17, 1962, President John F. Kennedy dedicated Dulles International Airport, the nation's first airport created specifically for commercial jet travel. Today, it provides nonstop service from 37 airlines to 152 locations worldwide. 

The Dulles Airport is frequently chosen by foreign travellers who want to visit the U.S. capital because it is the closest international airport serving the Washington, D.C., metro area.

One of three airports serving the Washington, D.C., area is Dulles International Airport (IAD), which is situated in Chantilly, Virginia, some 26 miles west of the capital.

Know Before You Go

You might need to take the Aerotrain to your gate from Dulles once you get there. Following the directions for the train will connect you to Concourses A, B, and C after you have gone through security. Take the rail to Concourse C and then walk there if your gate is in Concourse D.

Additionally, Dulles is one of the few airports that still makes use of plane mates and mobile lounges. These shuttle buses, which resemble lounges, were created to prevent people from having to walk across the tarmac to their plane. Mobile lounges, first introduced in the 1960s, never really took off at other airports after the jet bridge was developed, but Dulles still uses it today. 

The mobile lounges are still accessible for travel between concourses as a fun, but maybe slower, alternative to the Aerotrain. Infrequently, they are used for getting off, so if you're flying into Dulles you may get to experience one upon arrival.

Airport Parking

You can wait in the free cell phone lot for their call or text if you are picking someone up from the airport.

There are three daily garages—a cheap lot, a valet lot, and an hourly lot in front of the main terminal for public parking. Passengers can take a free shuttle bus from the parking areas to the airport. 

Daily parking rates range from $10 - $35. The hourly rate at Terminal Parking is $6 and $25 for 24 hours. Parking Garages 1 & 2 have an hourly rate of $6 and $17 per day. Economy Parking Lot does not have hourly rates and charges $10 per day.

Use the Pay & Go automated payment machine, which is situated on the pedestrian bridge close to the Daily Parking Garage and on the lower level of the terminal close to the east and west exit doors, to pay for parking. Garages 1 and 2 both include electric vehicle charging stations.

Driving Directions

Depending on where you are coming from, there are many ways to drive to Dulles International Airport.

• From downtown Washington D.C.: Travel west on I-66, take Exit 67, and follow signs to the airport.
• From Baltimore: Travel south on I-95, take Exit 27 and follow signs for the airport.
• From Richmond: Travel north on I-95, take exit 170B to Exit 45 and follow signs to the airport.
• From West Virginia: Take I-81 to I-66 East and Exit 53 to take Route 28 to the airport. 

Public Transportation and Taxis

You have a lot of options from Dulles if you're travelling to Washington, D.C., and would prefer to take a taxi or even public transportation to go downtown.

Although there are many taxis in Washington, D.C., Washington Flyer is the only taxi company that provides service to the airport, so you just have one option.

Within the urban area, SuperShuttle is a van service that provides shared trips.

The Silver Line Express picks up passengers at Door 4 on the Arrivals floor and connects them to the DC metro system. You can connect to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station through buses that leave the airport every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 20 minutes during off-peak hours.

Union Station, Dulles Airport, and Charlottesville, Virginia are all connected by a service provided by Megabus that connects Charlottesville, Virginia, Dulles Airport, and Union Station in downtown Washington.

Dulles does not have a designated area for Uber or Lyft vehicles, so coordinate with your driver during the pickup process.

Where to Eat and Drink

You may expect a wide selection of food options at a major airport like Dulles. Chains like Subway and Pizza Hut offer quick grab-and-go meals you can get for your trip, or you may make a lengthier reservation at one of the airport's more upscale eateries. 

Check out Chef Geoff's for modern American fare on Concourse C or The Chef's Table by Wolfgang Puck, which also lets you get takeout. At Bistro Atelier on Concourse D, you can get burgers with a French twist as well as specialised sweet and savoury crepes, and at Carrabba's Italian Grill on Concourse B, you can load up on spaghetti.

You won't have any trouble finding a store anywhere in the airport to buy a cup of coffee or maybe just a quick snack for your flight.

Where to Shop

This airport offers a wide variety of retail alternatives, including national, local, and regional stores, especially since it updated its facilities in 2015. Estee Lauder/M.A.C, L'Occitane, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tumi, and Swarovski are a few of the well-known retail brands.

You have the choice to start your shopping early and make your purchases online if you're eager to visit the Duty-Free shop.

How to Spend Your Layover

Make sure you'll have enough time to leave the airport and return if you want to tour Washington, D.C., as it isn't quick or easy to get there. Keep in mind that there is no luggage storage at the airport, so if you have any carry-ons, you'll need to check them for your next flight or bring them with you. 

The National Air and Space Museum is about five miles from the airport and is reachable by public transportation or taxi if you don't have much time but still want to leave the airport for a while. It should be noted that this is a companion facility, rather than the main museum, which is situated in downtown Washington, D.C. 

Two sizable hangars at this location are home to historic aircraft including the Space Shuttle Discovery and the Concorde. From this location, you can even see Dulles International Airport's takeoffs from the top of the Donald D. Engen Observation Tower.

You can visit as many monuments and museums as you can in Washington, D.C., if you have enough time, before you have to return to the airport. Many hotels are conveniently situated near Dulles if you are coming late and merely need a somewhere to sleep for the duration of an overnight layover.

Airport Lounges

Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic all run lounges at Dulles. To enter, you must have either an airline membership or a business or first-class ticket on one of these carriers (or one of their affiliates). 

However, it might be possible to purchase a day pass to the Turkish Airlines Lounge, which is near to Gate B43, or the Air France Lounge, which is next to Gate A19, if there is space available.

Charging stations and WiFi

It’s complimentary! After entering your email address and zip code, Wi-Fi is accessible throughout Dulles International Airport. By choosing "Yes," you can avoid inputting a postal code if you are coming from outside the United States. There are also free charging outlets spread out all over.

Airport Tips and Tidbits

John Foster Dulles, President Dwight Eisenhower's 52nd Secretary of State, is honoured by having the airport bear his name.

The TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis were designed by renowned architect Eero Saarinen, who also created the airport.

Concourse B has a play area for kids close to gate B70. Parents can use the charging stations in the seating area while their children are playing.

FAQs about Dulles International Airport