Dulles Airport is 42 km from downtown DC, making ground transport one of the more expensive airport-to-city trips in the United States. Costs range from USD 6 (~EUR 5.40) on the metro to USD 130 (~EUR 117) for a premium private transfer.
Full cost comparison
| Option | Cost (USD) | Cost (EUR) | Extras to Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Line Metro | 6.00 | 5.40 | SmarTrip card USD 2 |
| Washington Flyer Bus + Metro | 7.50 | 6.75 | SmarTrip card USD 2 |
| Shared shuttle | 30-40/person | 27-36/person | Tips USD 3-5 |
| Uber/Lyft (standard) | 55-80 | 50-72 | Surge pricing possible |
| Taxi (metered) | 70-90 | 63-81 | Tips 15-20%, tolls included |
| Private sedan | 75-100 | 68-90 | Usually all-inclusive |
| Private SUV | 100-130 | 90-117 | Usually all-inclusive |
Prices by destination
| Destination | Distance | Taxi (USD) | Uber (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown DC (National Mall) | 42 km | 70-90 | 55-80 |
| Georgetown | 38 km | 65-85 | 50-75 |
| Tysons Corner | 15 km | 30-40 | 20-35 |
| Reston | 10 km | 20-30 | 15-25 |
| Arlington (Rosslyn) | 35 km | 55-70 | 45-65 |
| Alexandria | 40 km | 65-85 | 50-75 |
| Bethesda, MD | 35 km | 55-75 | 45-65 |
Hidden costs to watch for
- Taxi tips: A 15-20% tip is standard and expected. On a USD 80 fare, that adds USD 12-16.
- Dulles Toll Road charges are included in taxi meter fares but add to the base cost.
- Rush-hour metered fares can run 20-30% higher due to traffic-based meter accumulation.
- Uber/Lyft surge: During peak hours or bad weather, surge multipliers of 1.3-1.8x are common.
- SmarTrip card: Needed for the metro, costs USD 2 for the card plus your fare. Available at the station.
- Metro peak fares are slightly higher than off-peak. Check WMATA for current rates.
Best value by situation
Tightest budget: Silver Line metro at USD 6.00 is unbeatable, though the 60-75 minute ride is long.
Solo or couple: Uber or Lyft at USD 55-80 offers the best balance of cost and convenience for most travelers.
Family of four: A private SUV at USD 100-130 total works out to roughly USD 25-33 per person for door-to-door service with luggage handling and child seats. Comparable to four metro fares plus the hassle.
Northern Virginia destinations: If heading to Reston or Tysons Corner, costs drop dramatically. A taxi to Reston is just USD 20-30 (~EUR 18-27).