No Parking? No Problem.
It’s summer, and that means peak travel season. Living in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area means there are a variety of hubs to get out of town. For travelers who don’t want to worry about driving and parking, or paying high prices for ride-hailing services, there are plenty of options that are both affordable and convenient. This blog will explain the different ways you can get to Reagan National Airport, Dulles International Airport, and Union Station, without having to drive.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Reagan National Airport is the closest airport for Arlington residents and is connected directly to Metro’s Yellow and Blue Lines. If you have people visiting from out of town that don’t have a SmarTrip card, they can use a credit or debit card to pay with Metro’s new “Tap. Ride. Go” feature. For more information about the DCA Metro station, visit the Metro website page here.
If you’d like to bike or scooter to DCA, you can take the Mount Vernon Trail and park your bike for up to 14 days. They even have racks with electric charging capabilities for your e-bike or scooter. There is also a Capital Bikeshare station on-site. For more details about biking to DCA, you can visit Reagan’s website.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Dulles International Airport is now connected directly to Metro’s Silver Line, and the station connects to the main terminal by an indoor pedestrian tunnel with moving sidewalks. Trains don’t run as frequently at night, so I recommend checking Metro times once you land. That way, you’ll know whether to grab food first or head straight to the station (about a five-minute walk from baggage claim). For more information about the Dulles Station, visit the Metro website page here.
Union Station DC
Union Station DC is a multimodal transportation hub and shopping center located near the U.S. Capitol. Four rail services stop there: Amtrak, Metro, Maryland Area Regional Commuter train (MARC), and Virginia Railway Express (VRE). Additionally, it’s DC’s main bus terminal, partnering with nine different bus services. Because of this, it is very easy to get there without using a car. Arlington travelers can reach Union Station via Metrorail (with a transfer to the Red Line) or Metrobus.
If you’d like to bike there, there are 23 bike parking spots. Additionally, there are two Capital Bikeshare stations nearby: one at Columbus Circle/Union Station and the other at North Capitol St and F St NW. For additional information, visit the Transit and Travel page on their website.
ATP Can Point you in the Right Direction
No matter where your summer travels take you, getting there doesn’t have to involve sitting in traffic or paying for airport parking. With easy access to transit, biking, and shared mobility options, Arlington residents have plenty of convenient and cost-effective ways to reach major travel hubs. Not sure which option makes the most sense for your trip? Download our Regional Transportation Guide for information on Metro, biking, and more. And if you still have questions, Arlington Transportation Partners is always here to help you figure it out.
Photo Credit: Sam Kittner/kittner.com for Arlington Transportation Partners