Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport (IAD) Flights & Flight Status

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), commonly referred to simply as Dulles, is the major international airport for Washington, D.C. Located in Chantilly, Virginia, approximately 25 miles west of central D.C., Dulles sees more than 24 million passengers passing through its concourses annually. It's a hub for United Airlines, which is one of around 40 airlines serving the airport, and offers flights to more than 130 destinations worldwide. Its main terminal building was designed by famed architect Eero Saarinen.

Terminal information and tips

Dulles Airport has a main terminal and two midfield concourses: Concourses A/B and C/D. The main terminal is primarily for check-in and security, but it's also home to the Z gates. The two concourses are home to the majority of Dulles' gates. Concourse A/B primarily serves international and regional flights, while Concourse C/D is dominated by United Airlines flights.

The layout of Dulles is easy enough to understand, as it's essentially just three long, parallel hallways. But getting from gate to gate during a connection can be a bit confusing. While you can walk between the main terminal and Concourses A/B, you must take transportation to Concourses C/D. But you can also take transportation to get from the main terminal to Concourses A/B if you'd like.

The two types of transportation at Dulles are the AeroTrain and the mobile lounges, or “people movers.” The AeroTrain connects the main terminal with Concourses A, B and C, and the mobile lounges connect the main terminal, Concourse D and Concourse A. The AeroTrain is a 24-hour train, while the mobile lounges are essentially giant shuttle buses that look like moving cargo containers.

I love taking the mobile lounges, as they afford you great views of the runways. Plus, they can be the fastest way to get between the A gates and the D gates, which is quite a distance. (I've made that connection via walking and the AeroTrain, and it took twice as long as the mobile lounge.) But the mobile lounges don't run 24 hours, and they can be held up by runway traffic.

Dulles is one airport where I regularly check an airport map before arrival to plan my route, whether that's from gate to gate, gate to baggage claim or departure hall to gate. The type of transportation you take depends on which concourses you're travelling between. For instance, to get from Concourse B to Concourse C, the AeroTrain is your best bet.

But to get from the main terminal to Concourse D, the mobile lounges are the way to go, as the AeroTrain would drop you off at Terminal C, from which you might have to walk 15 minutes to get to a D gate. Sound confusing? It is! Always ask an airport employee for help navigating if you need it.

The best way to get to and from the airport to the city centre

For a long time, Dulles was not connected to D.C.'s Metro (underground system). Fortunately, that's no longer an issue. Public transportation is one of the best ways to get around D.C., but you can also take taxis or rideshares, such as Uber. But remember that Dulles is about 25 miles away from D.C. city centre, so travelling by car can be expensive.

Public transportation

The Silver Line of the Washington Metro now extends to Dulles Airport, offering a convenient way to travel between the airport and central D.C. The ride from the airport to the city centre takes about 50 minutes, and the price depends on the distance travelled and the time of day. The Metro doesn't run 24 hours, though. If you're travelling late at night, you'll have to take a bus instead.

Taxis, rideshares and driving

Taxis and rideshares are available at the kerb outside Dulles. Driving into D.C. takes about 40 minutes without traffic. But if you're travelling during rush hour, you can expect that time to increase dramatically. You can also hire a car at Dulles, but the car hire facilities aren't walkable from the main terminal. You'll have to take a shuttle to get there.

Security queues and immigration

Dulles, like most major international airports, can have fairly long security queues. Always be sure to arrive well ahead of your flight. If you're a frequent traveller to the US, Global Entry is useful for expediting immigration and customs upon arrival, while also enjoying TSA PreCheck benefits for quicker security screening. Downloading the Mobile Passport Control app can also be handy for speeding up the immigration process.

If you're connecting from an international flight to a domestic one, give yourself as much time to make that connection as possible. On one of my recent international-to-domestic connections, it took me nearly two hours to get through immigration and re-enter security. And I'm even a member of all the applicable expedited programmes!

Alternative airports

Dulles is not the only airport in the D.C. area; in fact, it's one of three. Each has its pros and cons, so it's worth looking at all three to see which one has the best airfare deal or the most convenient routing for your trip. Generally speaking, Dulles will be your pick if you're travelling internationally, but domestic flights have plenty of options from these alternate airports.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

Located just across the Potomac River from central D.C., Reagan (also referred to as National, Reagan National or just DCA) is closer to the city centre. It primarily handles domestic flights, with a few short-haul international flights to Canada and the Caribbean. This is undoubtedly the most convenient airport to fly into if you're travelling to D.C.

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

BWI is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, some 31 miles away from D.C. city centre. It's not the easiest to get to from D.C., as you'll have to take an Amtrak train to a shuttle bus or make the 40-plus-minute drive. But it's home to Southwest Airlines, which often has cheap(ish) airfares. BWI has mostly domestic flights, plus some international ones to Europe (including to London Gatwick, typically with a transfer in Iceland), the Caribbean and Central America.

Things to do during a transfer

Dulles is a popular airport for transferring flights, so many people will find themselves spending a good amount of time here. But deciding what to do during your layover depends on exactly how much time you have. Fortunately there's plenty to do both in the airport and in the area around it.

Less than four hours

Unfortunately, if your transfer is less than four hours, you should probably stay put at Dulles. Take the time to explore the various concourses, as there are art installations throughout. Go for a joyride on one of the mobile lounges. Or head to Concourse B for the British Airways lounge if you're a frequent flier, Oneworld alliance priority member or are flying First or Business Class. As a major international airport, Dulles also has plenty of shops and restaurants.

Four to six hours

With a medium-length transfer, you might be able to make a quick visit to the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, which is only one bus stop away from Dulles. There are even free luggage lockers at the museum, so you don't have to drag around your luggage during your visit.

More than six hours

If you have more than six hours during your transfer, you should have time to explore further afield. You can, of course, make a trip into D.C. proper and perhaps visit a few monuments or museums on the National Mall. To do so, I'd recommend taking the Metro, as traffic can be too unpredictable.

You could also hire a car and explore Northern Virginia's many attractions. Manassas National Battlefield, for instance, is just a 25-minute drive away. Drive 25 minutes in the other direction, and you'll reach Great Falls Park, home to gently cascading waterfalls. There are also quite a few breweries and wineries within a 30-minute radius of Dulles, too. I'd personally spend more time at the Udvar-Hazy Center, as the museum is massive.

Or if you'd prefer to relax on your long layover, consider booking a hotel for some shut-eye and a shower. The closest hotel to the airport is the Washington Dulles Airport Marriott, which is just across the car park from the main terminal. While you can walk it, there's also a free shuttle. Alternatively, you could stay at any of the dozens of nearby hotels, many of which also offer free shuttles.