Metro Bus 5A DC-Dulles Line

Take this bus all the time and more offer than not in left waiting over an hour before i get picked up. It does do alright in traffic and is faily convenient if you are going to alexandria or the green line.
Currently been waiting 2 hours for a bus, maybe the bids no longer runs.

If you’re taking the 5A bus from L’Enfant Plaza to Dulles, the stop is at 7^th St SW and D St SW., in front of the Constitution Center /​Office of the Comptroller of Currency /​Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Hey Metro — with all the train fires and big maintenance plans, time to run the 5A every 20 minutes during rush hour!

Used the 5A from Rosslyn station to Dulles Airport. Signage wasn’t clear on how to find the stop so after noticing a 5A returning from the other direction while wandering I asked around to find the pickup stop. The bus was about 35 minutes late from the time it was scheduled to arrive which forced me to rush through the airport upon arrival. Thanks to TSA Precheck I made the flight just fine. A few other people in line for the bus had called Ubers or left to find another way while waiting. Granted, this was during the end of rush hour time at around 6:00PM on a Monday but they really should either update their bus schedule to reflect this or post warnings on their schedule about delays during rush hour periods.
The experience on the bus itself was fine and the fare reasonable, but had I known it would be so late, I would’ve looked into other options. There were a number of commuters riding the bus to a parking garage stop on the way to the airport, which wasn’t a huge issue since there were still a few open seats. However, I could see that becoming a problem in the future if the bus gets too packed with commuters to allow airport passengers on. I was glad that I had only a carryon bag and not a large suitcase on the bus.
My advice is to plan ahead for a lot of extra time during rush hour or find another option. It’s probably fine outside of rush hour but this was my first and likely last experience with the 5A. I’ll refrain from ranting about the sorry state of public transportation in this overly car-​oriented country compared to the rest of the developed world, but DC really should invest in a metro extension to Dulles or, if that is too much to ask, at least build a dedicated bus corridor from downtown to the airport. Dulles Int’l Airport is the busiest airport in the Washington metro area darnit!

This bus is not that bad. It comes fairly often and only costs 7 bucks. Note that there is some construction near the regular 5A bus stop in Rosslyn station that required the bus stops to be moved to N. 19 St. So look for the signs depending on where you are going. The bus stop doesn’t tell you where the new stop is though. I would have liked to see directions as to the new locations of the bus stops.
Must have exact change or Smart Trip Card so get some change before you get on the bus.

A great way to go to the airport if you are in the area, but dont bother going here if you dont have a lot of time, since departures are «mañana» scheduled. When i got there I couldnt find any sign of departure or how to get a ticket. But when the bus showed up after 30 minutes of waiting, i just went in and paid on the bus. Remember to bring even money, since the machine doesnt give you change.
Its a great way to save some money when going to the airport, but it takes time so dont be stressed out.

The fare cost for the 5A is $ 6.00 for SmarTrip/​Cash and $ 3.00 for Seniors/​Disability.
East Bound is Washington Dulles International to L’Enfant Plaza.
West Bound is L’Enfant Plaza to Washington Dulles International. It originates at L’Enfant Plaza, proceeds to Rosslyn Metro Station, third stop is Herndon-​Monroe Park & Ride and final destination is Washington Dulles International Airport.
The L’Enfant Plaza stop can be confusing to find. My advice — walk up to a metro employee and ask them. Once you get the hang of it — you won’t need help. Claire’s tip is super useful!
The Rosslyn Metro Station stop is easy to find and the Metro employees there are awesome! They are more than happy to guide you. You go up the super long escalator — exit to your left. When you reach the street make a left. You will see the 5A stop there along with many others. It’s directly across the street from the McDonalds’.
The stop at the Herndon-​Monroe Park & Ride is easy to find because it is a commuter station — just look at the bus signs or ask the commuter station employees.
The Washington Dulles International Airport stop is truly confusing. There aren’t clear signs until you step out of the airport. Just read the signs for Hotel Pick Up/​Rental Car Shuttles. All of these are on the «Curb Level.» So exit out of Door 4 and go to Curb 2E — there are always people hanging around waiting cause it such an awesome deal!

Huge fan of this for going to Dulles and a lot of people are not aware it exists. For around $ 3 you can take it to Tyson’s, Rosslyn, or lenfant plaza and then take the metro from there. It comes often and goes a lot faster than you think. A bit hard to find in DC sometimes and can be packed. They do have the nicer coach seats and places for you luggage though. Until the metro makes it out here, and unless your company is footing the cab bill this is definitely the way to go.

As someone who does cost/​benefit analysis for a living, I love a good value. And though I live near DCA, sometimes (when flying coast-​to-​coast), it’s necessary to use IAD (which is rather inconvenient, given there is no BART to Dulles, as there is at SFO). When will the metro go to Dulles? Are there plans for that? Last time I left DC to relocate to California, they were just beginning to discuss extension to Reston. *sigh*
On the departure trip, I had planned to pay $ 34 one way with tip and tax to use Super Shuttle. However, as I expected (but tried to stay in denial about), I wasn’t finished packing in time for all the wasted time spend picking up other passengers (I’ve never been a fan of Super Shuttle — even though it’s so much cheaper than a cab). I had a *VERY* busy few weeks wrapping up both a client and internal project before holiday travel, so I took the Super Shuttle loss and took a $ 75 with tip cab to Dulles. Absurd.
Given this extravagance, I needed a cost offset for my arrival travel to justify my ridiculousness to myself. Once I collected my luggage, I swung by the information desk at IAD and learned of this fantastic bus. Initially I thought I would have to take the Washington Flyer bus to West Falls Church then trek back on metro all the way, however, with this bus, I was able to take the 5A to Rosslyn then transfer lines to get to where I was going in Arlington. Splendid!
All in all I paid $ 6 for this bus and ~$ 2 for the metro, so the $ 8 was a great offset to my ~$ 75 departure taxi. In sum, I rationalized that the two travel types in combination were essentially like taking Super Shuttle both ways — mas o menos.
Minus one star for the fact that the luggage racks are sky high above everyone’s head, and near impossible to use if one’s luggage is either heavy or one is not tall enough to reach.

We jumped on the 5A at Dulles and got off in Rosslyn. Was painless and only $ 6 per person. It took about 30 – 35 minutes.

Thanks to all those who reviews this prior to my trip.
The #5 Metro from Dulles to Downtown DC worked like a charm. Easy, cheap and not hard to find. Just follow the golden rules:
1: Make sure to have exact fare (as of ⁷⁄₂₀₀₁ it was $ 6.00)
2: Wherever your plane arrives just make sure to get to the main terminal & follow the signs toward ground transportation
3. Once downstairs, go outside & look for the 2E slot. You’ll see the «1,s» close to the curb, but just look beyond and you’ll see the slots starting with the number 2. Stand in the spot marked 2E & wait for the bus (it will have an tiny sign that says metro stop & you will see the bus pull up with the digital sign saying #5A)
4. This bus does not have large amount of luggage racks, so if you’re catching this during rush hour, be prepared to be smashed in. I took after 10:30 with no problems, with enough room to put stuff on seat.
5. Luggage racks are above your head, best trick, try to get the first seat just, in the back section just as the bus rises behind the first step, next to the emergency exit. I’ts really eas to just push your luggage up on rack from this vantage point if you don’t have a lot.
Make sure to get the metro schedule for return trip (from driver or pamphlet located in dispenser on bus). I only took it from Dulles to Roslyn for a one way trip but it saved me at leat $ 50.00 including tip.

My favorite driver works every Friday 5pm-​late evening shift! He is really nice and really helpful to everyone.
It takes about 45 minutes to get to the airport for 6 dollars (make sure to have exact change). I think this is one of the best kept secrets of DC. It can get crowded during peak traveling hours like any other metro bus so make sure you get in line early for a seat or stand the whole way.
My only request is that people please use the overhead racks for your luggage. They are there to make more room for other people who need to get to the airport too. Please just be mindful of others. If we all do a little nobody has to do a lot. Don’t worry I always help people put their luggage up and make sure nobody will take it. If I am not there I am sure people will help you. :)

If you time it right, this bus is an excellent, cheap option to Dulles. Note that it does not run that frequently, so check schedules before you go. The luggage racks are limited, so keep that in mind if you have a lot of bags or large bags. I have had good luck getting a taxi at either Rosslyn or L’Enfant to get to my final destination if Metro wasn’t a good option. $ 6 bus + 10 cab ride within DC = $ 16, and much cheaper than any taxi or van service all the way to the airport.

I have long been annoyed at the fact that in the Nation’s capital and – in the minds of many – the capital of the free world, we do not have a rapid transit train line from Dulles International AP to the city center. In my global travels, I have found that most large cities have easy transportation from the major airport into the city (Amsterdam or Kuala Lumpur, for example). Granted, we do have the silver line Metro extension in the works, but: 1. thats still many years away; and 2. as far as I know, there will be no express service. This means that travelers will have to stop at all the stops along the way, including a diversion through the 4 stops through the suburban sprawl hell of Tysons Corner.
However, in my very recently initiated quest to live car-​free, I discovered the 5A express metro bus to Dulles Airport. I had a client meeting at Dulles yestday and decided to try it out. I was pleasently suprised. Its fast, cheap, clean and not overly crowded. I boarded the bus at Rosslyn Metro station (you can also get on at L’Enfant Plaza) and from there it was a straight shot to the Dulles corridor with only one stop at the Herndon-​Monroe park and ride (only took 2 minutes to pick up one passenger and get through it), one more quick stop on the airport grounds at an office complex, and then right to the main terminal. Door to door, it took only 1 hour. I’ve had journeys almost as long in a cab.
The price is right too. Though it has gone up – as I have learned – to $ 6 bucks, its still a bargain compared to $ 100+ for sedan service, $ 50 – 60 for a cab, or even $ 45 for Washington Flyer. These are all options I’ve used before and still will, depending on who’s paying for it. But for my money, I will use the 5A express Metro bus line again.

Update: It’s now $ 3.20, soon to be $ 6.00 per trip with the next Metro fare increase. Still relatively cheap, compared to the Flyer Bus or a Taxi.

I am a flight attendant and often have long layovers in Sterling, VA. There is not too much to do there and it is quite a ways away from the city. I adventured to DC on the 5A bus for the first time. It was very easy to figure out and the best part is it only costs $ 3.10 each way. If you get off at the last stop (L’enfant plaza) it is only a block or two away from the mall area. I am really glad that I discovered this bus!

Folks, for budget travel into/​out of Dulles Airport, this bus is the key. It costs $ 3.00 each way. It goes directly to the airport. It stops at L’Enfant Metro Station and Rosslyn (though on the way to the airport, it can fill up) and maybe two other places. This means it is reasonably fast and comfortable. I’m not saying luxury, but it beats the back seat of the Supershuttle and is more dependable.
So some guidelines for outbound travelers, the bus station is to the east of the L’Enfant Station exit onto D St. Don’t stay at the one closest to the exit, that’s for dropping off on the way back to the city, but keep heading up D St towards 7^th street. I don’t know if I’d do it this way for business, but for personal travel with one or two bags it works.