Best way from Dulles to L'Enfant Plaza? Back?

I%26#39;m taking my 74-year old father on this trip, so I%26#39;m a little concerned about trying to maneuver on Metro buses and such. Is there train service from Dulles to the DC downtown (I am staying at L%26#39;Enfant Plaza)? I understand there is a station directly below my hotel so I%26#39;d like to take advantage if possible. Thanks.

Best way from Dulles to L'Enfant Plaza? Back?

Here are your options: All are good, but depending on your father and his age you would choose accordingly.

OPTION #1:

-Shuttle bus from Dulles Airport to the nearest metro which is West Falls Church. (NO metro station at the airport). Once at West Falls Church get on the train going to New Carrollton and stay on this one train until you get to L%26#39;Enfant Plaza. I would say it%26#39;s about 30-35 minutes on the train. Only problem, carrying your luggage onto the train system (don%26#39;t know how much you will have) and also assisting your father if he doesn%26#39;t like to walk a lot.

OPTION #2

-At the ground transp. level, you would go to the counter and book a SUPER SHUTTLE BUS. They should come within 30 minutes more or less depending on the demand. It will go directly to your hotel, but only after stopping at other locations for other passengers.

Total for the both of you will be $35.00. The Van seats about 8-10 people (COMFORTABLY). You will eventual end up at your hotel. Sometimes you can get one that doesn%26#39;t have many people on it and sometimes it can take forever.

OPTION #3

-You can catch the Washington Flyer Taxi. They pick up right at the exit on ground. They will take you directly to the hotel. ONLY PROBLEM it will cost over $50.00. to get to your hotel.

Best way from Dulles to L'Enfant Plaza? Back?

Option # 4 would be catching the express bus from Dulles Airport to L%26#39;Enfant Plaza. Bus # 5A.

There%26#39;s been some discussion on the forum as to reliability of this bus, but few people, myself included, seem to have actually taken it.

If nothing else it might make sense because you%26#39;re staying right at L%26#39;Enfant Plaza and you would not have to transfer. It%26#39;s also the cheapest option, at only $3 per person.

Irish Fan:

What other stops does this bus make?

Was a good ride and is it a regular metro bus? I know it might be a little tight with the luggage depending on how much you have and how many people or did you find that there was space for a lot of luggage?

I found this on the Washington Post Travel Talk site:

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion鈥?/a> (You have to scroll about 2/3 of the way down the comments to find these)

Washington, D.C.: Just wanted to tell your chatters that I was pleasantly surprised by the Metrobus service from Dulles. I took the 5A Express bus to L%26#39;Enfant Plaza, and there were padded seats and luggage rights - much nicer than your average Metrobus! - and only like 3 stops before arriving in the city. And $3 sure beats taxi fare!

Andrea Sachs: I agree. I am a big fan of the Metrobus as well. It%26#39;s so nice to let someone else do the driving--and pay for the gas!

MrsMaryland - I mentioned in my post...I%26#39;ve never taken it! :)

Thanks for all the wonderful ideas. This site is fantastic, as are the folks who replied. Made my day.

As for options, I%26#39;m going to print them all out and let Dad decide!!!

It makes a stop at a park-and-ride at Reston and at the Metrorail station in Rosslyn before arriving at L%26#39;Enfant Plaza. It%26#39;s a normal city bus, with the traditional narrow aisles and lack of luggage accommodations (for the reasons mentioned in the other post).

The Washington Flyer, on the other hand, takes luggage and drops you off at the Metro - you can take the Orange Line all the way to L%26#39;Enfant Plaza without switching trains. And as long as you%26#39;re not trying to use the system during rush hour, there should be plenty of room for your suitcases, thanks to Metro providing lots of clear space for passengers who use wheelchairs.

What a coincidence!

I was just plotting out my strategy for visiting the Udvar-Hazy Museum at Dulles. If I would%26#39;ve just read this thread, I would%26#39;ve learned about the 5A bus!

Did you know it%26#39;s a ONE HOUR busride?

Peter, in your case, it will be a choice between an inexpensive $6.00 bus ride (2 passengers @ $3.00 ea) versus a $35.00 Supershuttle.

What is the physical condition of your 74 year old father--will he be able to help you with the luggage?

The key will be trying to get your luggage and your father from the bus stop at D %26amp; 7th, to the hotel doorstep at D %26amp; 9th--you might want to consider a taxi to take you those two blocks. So that%26#39;s another expense to tack onto the cost of the bus.

Or better yet, as much as it may bother you to spend that $29 more, please remember, you%26#39;re already going to have spent five or more hours on a grueling flight from Portland--your father%26#39;s health and well-being for your memorable vacation might just be worth that additional $29 expense for the SuperShuttle.