How to get from Dulles Airport to Capitol Hilton

My family of 5 is planning a trip to DC this month. We are scheduled to arrive at Dulles Aiport at 4:00pm. What suggestions do you have on transportation from the airport to the hotel? Approximatly how long will it take to get from Dulles to the hotel? It was our hope to do a night tour of the monuments on the OTT after we checked in. Do you think this is possible or should we plan it on another night. Thank you very much for the much needed information.

How to get from Dulles Airport to Capitol Hilton

4:00 p.m. on which day of the week? If it is a weekday and you want to use public transportation, you will be in the middle of rush hour and Metro fares are higher at that time. On the weekend, it%26#39;s a different story. Well, anyway, here are your options:

Cheapest option--take the 5A Metrobus from Dulles to DC. It is $3/one way (exact change only in bills and/or coins). It only runs once an hour, is unreliable and often crowded. In fact, the Washington Post refers to this route as ';The Dreaded Dulles Link';. (for more info--www.wmata.com)

Second cheapest option--Take the Washington Flyer Bus from Dulles to the West Falls Church Metro station. This bus leaves Dulles at 15 and 45 past the hour and costs $9/one way, although there are discounts if you buy 3 or more round-trip tickets. It is a coach-style bus and goes non-stop to West Falls Church. (for more info--www.washfly.com). Once at West Falls Church, you would take Metro into the District.

Next up in cost--the Super Shuttle (www.supershuttle.com/htm/cities/dca.htm). No reservations are required. It is a van that also takes other passengers so it may well be a good while until it gets around to dropping you off at your hotel.

And more expensive--Arrange for a limo. Some companies to consider-- Dulles Limousine (www.dulleslimousine.com); Burkilimo (www.burkilimo.com); Boston Coach (http://www.bostoncoach.com/index.jsp)

Also--There is a taxi stand at Dulles. Since there are 5 of you and if you want a taxi, see if a mini-van cab is available. There is a dispatcher on site who can assist you.

As far as the ';monuments by moonlight'; tour--I would suggest that you schedule it for another night. IMO, this is best just in case your flight is delayed for some reason.

How to get from Dulles Airport to Capitol Hilton

Thank you suefee for the many different options you have given me to choose from. My family will be arriving on a Monday night so I expect traffic to be pretty bad. It is good to know of all the available options.

One more question.... My family is not as concerned about about the money it will take to travel but the time. What is the absolute fastest way from Dulles to the Hilton for a family of 5 at 4pm in the afternoon on a weekday. Thanks

Sam, please, please, please come back and post a review of the Capital Hilton and maybe some pictures. I%26#39;m staying there in October this year. Thank you.

Take one of the grey Washington Flyer cabs on the lower level. They%26#39;re equipped to take credit cards as well. You%26#39;ll be going against traffic, although you might hit counterflow commuters as you come into Arlington. And there%26#39;s no telling what traffic in downtown DC will be, since you%26#39;ll be arriving downtown right at the peak of the evening rush hour, so I%26#39;d figure on arriving around 6 pm.

If you want to take a tour that same night, talk to the concierge as soon as you arrive - he might be able to arrange something for you. OTT might even have someone pick you up at the Hilton if there are enough of you and there%26#39;s still time.

Just go to the Metro Trip Planner page (wmata.com/tripplanner_d/tripplanner_form_sol鈥?/a>) and it will plan your transportation for you. We were told that our only choices from BWI to our hotel near the Mall would be a shuttle bus or taxi, at a cost of $60-80. But with the Trip Planner we took a bus and the Metro for a total cost for both of us seniors of $2.20. And about the same amount of time. You can enter different arrival times to cover when you will get your luggage and be ready to leave the airport, so you can see ahead of time how often the buses run, etc. Then you have sufficient information to decide which option is best for you.

Don%26#39;t forget to use the Circulator after you arrive. It%26#39;s a big money and foot saver! Look online for their routes and once you get on, take a brochure with a detailed map. Brochures are hard to find elsewhere so most tourists we met earlier this month were unaware of its existence. Fares are $1 (half for seniors) and you can get off and reboard free for two hours (three with some drivers). Get a transfer when you first board (they usually automatically offer you one). They come every 5 minutes or so, and start at 7 in the morning I think. Here%26#39;s the link to more info: www.wmata.com/metrobus/dc_circulator.cfm

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