Washington Dulles International Airport

Traveling to and from Washington Dulles International Airport

On this page, you will find the information you need to easily make your way through Washington Dulles International Airport and to your destination.

Information

  • The priority security lanes/Premium Passenger Lane has been suspended.

Guide to Washington Dulles International Airport

Arrival and departure terminal maps and information for Washington Dulles International Airport.

Arrival Terminal

Arrival map of Washington D.C. airport
Airport Map Information
On Arrival
  • Please present your passport.
  • See Special Guidance on this page for special Immigration rules for passengers entering the U.S. from abroad.
Customs

Carry-on luggage may be inspected.

Departure Terminal

Departure map of Washington D.C. airport
Airport Map Information
Check-In
Fast Track Security Screening

Some travelers are eligible for Fast Track Security Screening. Travelers should look for the Premium Passenger Lane.

Eligible Travelers

  • First Class
  • Business class
  • Diamond service members
  • Platinum service members
  • Super Flyers members
  • Star Alliance Gold members

Note: Each member may bring one accompanying guest. Fast Track service may not be available, depending on time.

Transit

Transit map of Washington D.C. airport
Airport Map Information

ANA flights arrive at Gates B41 and B43 on Concourse B. On Concourse B (arrival concourse), there is the United Airlines United Global First Lounge and the Lufthansa Senator Lounge. Arriving passengers connecting to other flights at Washington Dulles Airport should take the Mobile Lounge to the 1st floor of Concourse C. On the 1st floor of Concourse C, there are immigration booths, check-in counters (United Airlines codeshare flight check-in counters), the baggage claim area, customs, security, and the baggage counter for connecting flights. After passing through these, on the 2nd floor (departure floor) of Concourse C, there is the United Airlines United Global First Lounge, the United Club Lounge, and the AeroTrain C Gates Station. Passengers whose final destination is Washington and passengers connecting to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport should take the Mobile Lounge to the 2nd floor of the Main Terminal. 

  • Please note that the Mobile Lounge to the 1st floor of Concourse C and the Mobile Lounge to the 2nd floor of the Main Terminal are different. On the 2nd floor of the Main Terminal, there are immigration booths for passengers whose final destination is Washington and the AeroTrain Main Terminal Station. There are AeroTrain Stations on each concourse, so take the AeroTrain to move between them.
  • Opening time of immigration for connecting passengers 13:30-18:30 (Local time)

Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Downtown Washington DC

  • * "→" indicates the route.

Bus and Subway

Silver Line Express Bus and Metrorail Silver Line (Subway)

IAD → any Washington D.C. Metrorail subway station via Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station (such as Metro Center, Farragut West stations)

  • Platform: Silver Line Express Bus tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter located in the vicinity of Door 4 on the Arrivals Level (Mezzanine Level 2) of the Main Terminal. Buses can be boarded from the curbside outside Door 4. The bus will transport you to Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station where you can board the Silver Line subway bound for Largo Town Center, allowing access to all stations in the Washington D.C Metro subway.
  • Time required: Bus is approx. 15 minutes and subway approx. 45 minutes.
  • Fare: Bus is $5 and subway fares are $2 to $6 (You must buy a smart card "$2 card fee and $8 charge amount".)
  • Operating hours: Bus : Mon to Thu 6:00 to 22:20, Fri 6:00 to 22:40 (15 to 20 minutes intervals), Sat 7:45 to 22:40 (20-minute intervals), Sun 7:45 to 21:40 (20-minute intervals). Subway : Mon to Fri 5:00 to 22:10, Sat 7:00 to 22:16, Sun 8:00 to 22:16 (8 to 20 minutes intervals).

Metro Bus

Metrobus Route 5A

IAD → to Rosslyn Subway Station in Arlington, and to L'Enfant Plaza Subway Station in D.C.

  • Platform: Exit the arrival floor terminal and go to stop 2E across the road.
  • Time required: Approx. 40 minutes to Rosslyn Station, 60 minutes to L'Enfant Plaza Station.
  • Fare: $7.50
  • Operating hours: Mon to Sat 6:35 to 23:35 (60 minutes intervals), Sun 6:35 to 23:25 (60 to 75 minutes intervals)

Taxi

  • Platform: Take taxis from the taxi rank directly outside the main terminal at door 2 and door 6 of the curb side. Attendants can provide assistance
  • Time required: 35 to 65 minutes (depending on the destination or on traffic conditions)
  • Fare: For the Washington Flyer Taxi, it is $63 to 80 within Washington, D.C. ($4 surcharge from the airport, add a tip of 15 to 20% of the fare)
  • Operating hours: 24 hours

Instructions for Washington Dulles International Airport

Before Traveling to the USA

Passengers traveling to the United States from abroad must provide passport information and the documents listed here that are required for entering the United States.

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA):

Passengers are required to obtain pre-travel authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization -ESTA- (Need fee) to enter the USA under the Visa Waiver Program (see below).

  • ESTA must be completed before commencing boarding procedures for a USA-bound flight. Customers cannot board without travel authorization.
  • U.S. authorities strongly advise travelers who wish to travel to the USA to apply at least 72 hours before their travel date.
  • An ESTA application is required even when traveling to a third country via the USA.

Secure Flight Program

Visa Waiver Program

The U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

Travelers must have a valid ESTA approval prior to travel and must meet all requirements for the program.

  • If you prefer to have a visa in your passport, you may still apply for a visitor (B) visa.

VWP Participating Countries

  • Andorra
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Brunei
  • Chile
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • San Marino
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan*
  • United Kingdom*

Recent VWP Changes

Recent changes to the Visa Waiver Program prohibit the following customers from travelling under VWP; such passengers must apply for a non-immigrant visa.

  • Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen on and after March 1, 2011.
  • Nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria.

A waiver may be obtained on a case-by-case basis for those who have traveled to the areas mentioned above for official duties of an international organization, regional organizations or sub-national government; journalists for reporting purposes; and legitimate business-related purposes in Iran and Iraq. Please contact your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for waiver information.

Required Passenger Information

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration requires that all passengers provide the following information at least 72 hours before departure to the United States.

  • Full Name (the first and last name registered on your passport)
  • Date of Birth (according to the Western calendar)
  • Gender
  • Redress Number if you have one.
    • The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants Redress Numbers as a means of protecting passengers who may be incorrectly identified as being on a watch list due to various reasons, such as sharing a first and last name with a suspected terrorist.
    • Passengers will have to apply to the TRIP (Traveler Redress Inquiry Program) to obtain a Redress Number.
  • Known Traveler Number if you have one.
    • A Known Traveler Number is a PASS ID provided to members of trusted traveler programs, such the Global Entry Program. Those in possession of this ID are eligible for TSA PreCheck®, the TSA's expedited screening program.
    • Passengers who are eligible for this program are able to experience quicker process of U.S. airport security screening by passing through a dedicated lane and are not required to remove shoes, belts, light jackets, laptops and liquids. Children 12 and under accompanied by an eligible passenger may go through the dedicated lane as well. Learn more about TSA PreCheck®.

Enhanced Security of Electronic Devices

The U.S. has recently enhanced its security measures to include security checks of some electronic devices on flights bound to the US. Some electronic devices must undergo security check at the boarding gate based on TSA regulations.