Metrobus 5A

This place is the easiest, cheapest, and most direct way to get between Dulles and Rosslyn or L’Enfant. It costs $ 7 one way and the trip takes 35 – 40 minutes. The bus runs later (last bus bus is 11:35 pm on the weekends) than the Washington Flyer so check this out and save yourself a huge cab fare on your late night flight. It’s a regular bus so I’d guess it can be packed during the week and there wouldn’t be much luggage space. Either way, this beats WMATA’s joke of a train/​bus ride at added expense for the Silver Line odyssey to Dulles. Fly DCA if you can but if you’re exiled here late at night this is the way to go.

This is a great option to get to Washington-​Dulles: affordable, easy (directly link between Rosslyn station and the airport), but it is not necessarily faster than driving (if you’ve got a friend who is willing to drive you there, that is). Ample luggage space. Bus is not that big and is often packed, though (airport workers use this line to commute). It is not a direct link as it makes several stops before the airport.
Cons: Bus is not that frequent and is often not on time. I waited several times in vain. Either it was there super early (ignoring the timetable), or super late. I just didn’t have time to wait more to find out and had to take the metro + Wash Flyer.

I have had many ups and downs with this line. It is still the least expensive and quickest option to get from the Herndon-​Monroe Park and Ride to Rosslyn. Metro keeps threatening to close it, but all the people they poll are adamant that this is a cheaper and quicker option that taking metro. A $ 7 fare was galling at first, but compare that to the $ 5.90 peak fare from Rosslyn to Weihle-​Reston, plus paying $ 4.85 for parking. Round trip is $ 2.65 cheaper and about a half-​hour shorter. Being able to skip the tysons stops and take advantage of the airport access road saves so much time, and the Herndon-​Monroe Park and Ride is closer to my apartment and easier to get in and out of.
The buses are typically on-​time or a few minutes early. Especially since WMATA discontinued use of the buses with overhead storage (trying to torture people onto the silver line I wager), it is not a guarantee to get a seat, whether that’s a large number of people or large amount of baggage that the bus cannot safely accommodate. When I was taking the bus everyday, I would probably have to stand 2 – 3 times a week. Taking an earlier bus has helped.
I do not believe that Metro is losing money on this route. I completely understand that this route is ‘redundent’ with the metro opening, but since when is it a crime to have a profitable alternative?

I was flying out of Dullas airpot at 7:30, and decided to leave by 4:45 because the traffic can be unpredictable. I got on the bus near the Rosslyn Station (which you have to walk down the street, cross, and then there is a sign saying this is where 5A will be picking up) and the bus was PACKED. I am not sure if it is was because it was 5:00 and everyone was done with work or what. But there were at least 15 – 20 people who had to stand for the duration of the trip. I was squished and there were no room for anyone to have any bags. Luckily I only had a backpack. It made one stop at a parking structure, where most people got off. Then it went to the airport. In total, it took about an hour or so for the whole trip.
The bus itself was fine, a bit hot. And honestly just so crammed. It is one of the only (and cheapest) ways to get to IDA, but not a fun experience, at least at certain times of the day. BUT it does take you right where you need to go, and is a pretty reasonable price (only 7 $).

With competition from the Silver Line express bus (the rebranded, relocated, and repriced for $ 5 Washington flyer bus), the 5a just isn’t as awesome as it used to be. The last five or six times I’ve taken it, the haven’t used the special buses with extra baggage room, and that combined with the price hike up to $ 7 has made this option marginally less attractive than it used to be. And it’s just really awkward with a carry on bag, a «personal item» (aka huge overstuffed Longchamp bag seems to be the popular choice) and trying to jam the Herndon Park and Ride commuters on there too. Bring back the old buses with luggage racks!
That being said, if you’re heading to Dulles from the green or yellow line, from L’enfant plaza, from Rosslyn, or basically anything east of there, or later in the evening/​early in the morning (the schedule runs longer, but more infrequently), the 5a is still a better option than the silver line express since you have to go all the way out to Wiehle Reston to pick it up. Even at rush hour this morning from Dulles to L’enfant, it took approximately an hour door to door (made it to my desk by 9:10AM). If you’re really having trouble though bag wise and don’t want to brave mass transit, a Super Shuttle from Dulles to DC should be around $ 30.

Easy. IAD to Rosslyn. $ 7. Drops off and picks up at 19^th and N Moore (Rosslyn station).

For IAD-​Arlington, especially during rush hour, this is the best bet bar far: fast, cheap, and reliable. Have exact change or a MetroCard when boarding to speed up the process.
Storing bags when the bus is crowded can be a hassle, so arrive a bit early for the best options. These buses have special overheads for bags, but they are often full /​nearly full.
Highly recommend.

Easy peasy. Landed int’l and followed signs for baggage/​ground transportation. Puts you into a tram that drives across the airport. Get off and continue following signs for baggage/​transportation. At Door 4 go down the ramp and exit. Cross to the middle and board the MetroBus 5a. $ 7 exact fare or SmartCard. Pay on bus. Get off in DC (L’enfant Plaza Station). Total time under 1.3 hours. Comfortable and quiet ride.

Look at this Metro bus look at how pollution and smoke coming up…
…

A million times cheaper than a taxi to Dulles and does not take that much longer. I took it around x mas and it was packed to the gills, i was glad i got in line early and had a seat. I took it another time not near a holiday and it was a lot better, not packed to the gills. A line forms. Get in line early during the holidays.

This is definitive a great, cheap, and efficient way of getting from Dulles to D.C. Compared to the Washington flyer, taxis, and the various many other s ways of moving one or 2 people this is it. $ 7 from/​to the Dulles from rosslyn or l’enfants plaza can not be beaten. It’s leaves pretty regularly, less so on Sunday but still enough and quick, 35ish minutes. As someone has already luggage space is a little limited, so I would recommend it if you travel with ²⁄₃ bags .
The bus are fine nothing special a basic suburban bus with a little for luggage space .
On final warning you need exact charge, or a metro card, no change .
So I would say used it it’s great way of moving from airport to town.

Now picks up at 19^th and N Moore St in Rosslyn.
This is definitely the easiest way to go to Dulles. How did I not know about this earlier? Pay with cash or your SmarTrip. Luggage storage space is pretty much nonexistent so pack light!

I don’t mind in giving information for Metro number (202) 638‑7000 but use this number not the number on this Unilocal location. or go to
go to bus and schedules. You will find a PDF version of the bus schedule online. I will help in getting the right number. But read this please.

Took the Metrobus from Dulles to Rosslyn. Richard B.‘s review says it all — you get what you pay for! For $ 6, this bus comes around only once every 40 minutes, you need exact change or a SmartTrip card, and there is no room for bags (or people!) If you thought your flight was uncomfortable, the 5A will prove that there is another level of hell. Take the Washington Flyer instead — it’s only $ 4 more and A LOT better!

A punctual, slightly crowded bus that is the absolute cheapest and safest way to get to IAD with only one stop at a Park ‘n’ Ride in VA. $ 6! I was thinking I’d have to splurge for a commercial bus or bum a ride from my uncle. Great!

Beltway insiders know this is a good deal. Its stop at Rosslyn is not easily seen or heavily advertised.
The buses are not as shock vibration tested as they should be.
Get on at L’Enfant if carrying checked luggage or at peak time. Get on a Rosslyn or later if traveling light or traveling at off peak times to avoid the risk of not finding a seat.
All seats were full when I rode so this is a heavily utilized service.

The 5A bus is the best. It takes you direct from DC to Dulles with around 2 – 3 stops. The tricky part was finding the bus stop. When you come from Dulles it drops you off on D St between 6^th and 7^th right in front of the Metro train entrance of L’Enfant Plaza.
To board the bus to Dulles you have to go a little further down on D street between 7^th and 9^th street right in front of the Constitution center building. This simple piece of information is not easily available and even Metro customer service didn’t know.
To board it at Dulles you take it at the 2E stop at the Ground Transportation area next to all the parking.
I give it one star less because of the confusing n incomplete info about the bus stop on D St other than that it’s cheap $ 6 and fast

This is a a great way of getting out of DC and getting to Dulles Airport. It is a great way of saving $ 50+ on a ride ot the airport. Sure you need to luge your stuff to the bus but I think saving $ 100 round trip is totally worth it.
So be a smart traveler and same some dough that you can apply to your trip and take the Metro 5A.

When my boo and I got involved in a long distance relationship, I started to have to fly from coast to coast more often.
My airline of choice (cheap) was either Jetblue or Southwest, and unfortunately, they never flew out of Reagan. Usually the extra savings for flying cheap out of Dulles would be eaten up through a taxi or paying for daily parking, but the WMATA scores a win for you by providing cheap transport through this bus.
Here’s a tip if you have a ton of luggage and don’t want to lug everything through the subway. You can for FREE park at the Herndon Monroe Park and Ride from the Fairfax connector. I asked if it was okay to park there overnight, and they said it’s all good.
Bring extra change if you want to help out the random tourists from out of town that wonder why they can’t get change from a $ 20 for a $ 3.10 fare.
Oh and the pick up spot for this bus is also hard to find if you’re arriving to Dulles. Look for it on the Taxi level, and don’t fall for that Washington Flyer.

Not to get all nostalgic and shit, but when I started using the 5A back in 2004, it was me, Dulles employees, and commuters (if it was that time of the day). Now? Crap, that sucker is always packed full with fellow travelers. Obviously the word has gotten around.
This bus route is fast and super cheap compared to the other Dulles options. So why not 5 stars? Because it does not always follow the schedule, at least at Dulles. Understandable at 5 PM when it is rush hour, but 6 AM? WTF? Way to go Metro bus. At least it is pretty dependable at the Rosslyn end.
In short, it is definitely a bargain and usually pretty quick, so gotta give it 4 stars.