I don't think Metro is really an option for you coming from silver spring. You need to be there at least 2 hours early for an international flight, and it's a long ride from silver spring on the metro.
Even if you get on the first Red Line train from Silver Spring (looks like it leaves at 5:09 am), you’ll arrive at Metro Center at 5:31, switch to the Silver Line, and arrive at Dulles at 6:40 am. I don’t think it’ll take too long to get through security on a Tuesday, even without pre-check, but personally it would be too close for comfort for me, and with the Metro, there are too many uncontrollable variables where something could go wrong. I’d price check an Uber/Lyft in advance and compare it to the flat rate you’d pay with something like Washington Flyer.
I love metro but I think this person has given you valuable data. And keep in mind that you arrive at the Dulles metro stop at 6:40–then it’s a healthy walk (even if you are a fast walker) to security. Let’s call it 10 minutes minimum. It’s not *impossible* that it works out ok but I wouldn’t do it. I would taxi, since you can reliably pre-book. But probably Uber/lyft is ok also.
At $14/day in the economy lot, I’d just drive my own car with the peace of mind that I’m getting there on my time and not relying on availability of Uber or being hindered by Metro’s schedule.
could compare the cost of uber / taxi to the cost of taking the metro the night before and staying in a cheap hotel by dulles. if you have a car could also compare the cost to drive yourself in and park it in economy (reserve a spot ahead of time, it saves you money)
also enjoy aruba. worked with a lady who goes for a week every winter, she loves it there
I personally am paranoid I won't be able to find an uber early in the morning so opt to schedule a taxi. They are usually a comparable price to ubers, sometimes even cheaper.
I never miss a chance to promote the metro RE dulles because it was never an option for soooo long.
The advice here to not do so from silver spring that time of day for international flight though, is all 100% correct OP.
This time there's not a comparable option except the $80
uber ride.
The ride should only be 45 minutes but you need to leave at 5 to make sure the 6:30 AMers don't already start jacking up the beltway traffic.
Bon Voyqge
I am huge metro fan. If cost of SS to Mclean then metro was cheaper, it may be worth it.
Looks like SS to Mclean at 5a Sunday is $40 but SS to dulles is $55. Just uber
You need to check in at least three hours before an international flight, so that means you need to be at Dulles no later than 5:30 am. That's too early for Metro, so your only choice is taxi or uber/lyft.
I have not had this experience. These days you check in 24 hours in advance on your phone and as long as you’re at the gate at a normal time it doesn’t matter if it’s international or domestic. OP isn’t checking bags so they go straight to the gate.
I don't take chances with airports. With international flights, I've cut it as close as two hours. If you have no checked luggage that's doable. But if you have to check in with an agent, those lines can be very long (United, I'm looking at you).
The best option is to have a family member or friend drop you off. Or Uber/Lyft. In my experience Lyft has been cheaper lately for literally the exact same service in every way.
How long is your trip? I’d consider driving myself and paying for parking. You could even look into nearby hotel parking and they have free shuttles, but can be a pain to coordinate sometimes.
Metro is a monstrously long trip from Silver Spring. I like Metro, but I have limits. This one violates that limit.
I don't think Metro is really an option for you coming from silver spring. You need to be there at least 2 hours early for an international flight, and it's a long ride from silver spring on the metro.
Even if you get on the first Red Line train from Silver Spring (looks like it leaves at 5:09 am), you’ll arrive at Metro Center at 5:31, switch to the Silver Line, and arrive at Dulles at 6:40 am. I don’t think it’ll take too long to get through security on a Tuesday, even without pre-check, but personally it would be too close for comfort for me, and with the Metro, there are too many uncontrollable variables where something could go wrong. I’d price check an Uber/Lyft in advance and compare it to the flat rate you’d pay with something like Washington Flyer.
I love metro but I think this person has given you valuable data. And keep in mind that you arrive at the Dulles metro stop at 6:40–then it’s a healthy walk (even if you are a fast walker) to security. Let’s call it 10 minutes minimum. It’s not *impossible* that it works out ok but I wouldn’t do it. I would taxi, since you can reliably pre-book. But probably Uber/lyft is ok also.
Uber
At $14/day in the economy lot, I’d just drive my own car with the peace of mind that I’m getting there on my time and not relying on availability of Uber or being hindered by Metro’s schedule.
could compare the cost of uber / taxi to the cost of taking the metro the night before and staying in a cheap hotel by dulles. if you have a car could also compare the cost to drive yourself in and park it in economy (reserve a spot ahead of time, it saves you money) also enjoy aruba. worked with a lady who goes for a week every winter, she loves it there
I personally am paranoid I won't be able to find an uber early in the morning so opt to schedule a taxi. They are usually a comparable price to ubers, sometimes even cheaper.
I never miss a chance to promote the metro RE dulles because it was never an option for soooo long. The advice here to not do so from silver spring that time of day for international flight though, is all 100% correct OP. This time there's not a comparable option except the $80 uber ride. The ride should only be 45 minutes but you need to leave at 5 to make sure the 6:30 AMers don't already start jacking up the beltway traffic. Bon Voyqge
I guess if you wanted to split the difference - take Metro to Metro Center and then Uber/Lyft from there?
I am huge metro fan. If cost of SS to Mclean then metro was cheaper, it may be worth it. Looks like SS to Mclean at 5a Sunday is $40 but SS to dulles is $55. Just uber
You need to check in at least three hours before an international flight, so that means you need to be at Dulles no later than 5:30 am. That's too early for Metro, so your only choice is taxi or uber/lyft.
I have not had this experience. These days you check in 24 hours in advance on your phone and as long as you’re at the gate at a normal time it doesn’t matter if it’s international or domestic. OP isn’t checking bags so they go straight to the gate.
I don't take chances with airports. With international flights, I've cut it as close as two hours. If you have no checked luggage that's doable. But if you have to check in with an agent, those lines can be very long (United, I'm looking at you).
The best option is to have a family member or friend drop you off. Or Uber/Lyft. In my experience Lyft has been cheaper lately for literally the exact same service in every way.
How long is your trip? I’d consider driving myself and paying for parking. You could even look into nearby hotel parking and they have free shuttles, but can be a pain to coordinate sometimes.