Dulles International Airport in Virginia, US
What To Expect After Arriving At The Main Terminal
Dec 2, 2008
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), located in Dulles, Virginia is approximately 26 miles from downtown Washington, DC. Finding the airport is easy and there are four different roads drivers can take . From DC take I-66 W to the Capitol Beltway (I-495). Then take the Dulles Toll Rd (267) west until it splits to the left, turning into the Dulles Access Rd. This leads to the main terminal. From points outside the Beltway, take I-66 to Lee Jackson Hwy (Rte 50) W. Then take Sully Rd (Rte 28) N follow the signs to the airport.
Parking
Pay & Go is a new automated system that allows a quick exit from the Dulles parking lots. Take the parking ticket from the machine, do not leave it in the vehicle. Upon leaving the main terminal find a Pay & Go machine on the lower level near the baggage claim. Insert the ticket into the machine to pay for parking. Take the ticket and drive to the Pay & Go lanes upon exit, insert the ticket into the machine which will cause a bar to raise allowing access to exit.
Hourly Rates - $4 per hour or fraction, $36 maximum for 24 hours
Daily Garage Rates - $4 per half hour or fraction, $17 maximum for 24 hours
Economy Rates - $5 per hour or fraction, $10 maximum for 24 hours
Valet Lot - $30 for the first 24 hours, $19 for each additional day
The Economy and Daily Garage both offer a free shuttle service that runs 24/7.
Security Checkpoints
After checking-in at the respective airline counter process across the corridor to the security area. There are five security checkpoints on the departures level and a new Dulles Diamond checkpoint downstairs on the arrivals level. This new checkpoint was put in place to help reduce wait times on the main level. Be prepared to wait regardless of what line you get into. Keep the boarding pass and government issue ID handy because a security guard will check it before reaching the metal detectors.
At the metal detectors shoes must be removed along with belts, watches and any loose metal items in pockets. Place the carry-on bag into one of the large plastic bins stacked next to the x-ray machine. Shoes, jackets, etc will go in their own bin. All of your loose items will go in a small plastic bowl provided by the security guard.
Getting to the Gate
Once the checkpoints are left behind there are large directional signs overhead pointing travelers in the right direction. International and low cost airlines fly out of the B gates. Take the walkway with moving sidewalks or the shuttle that takes travels across the tarmac. The C and D gates house the domestic airlines and taking the shuttle is necessary. In 2009 the Aero Train system comes to Dulles International. This will replace the shuttles that currently service the main terminal, reducing walking distance to the gates.
Airlines
Washington Dulles International Airport currently uses 38 different airlines both domestic and international.
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