Washington Dulles International Airport
Also known as: Dulles Airport, Dulles International Airport, IAD Airport, Washington Dulles.
Private transfer from IADSee pricesSee pricesAbout Washington Dulles International Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is the main international airport for Washington, DC. It sits in Dulles, Virginia, in Loudoun and Fairfax counties, about 26 miles (42 km) west of downtown Washington, and opened in 1962. Its smaller sister airport, Reagan National (DCA), is closer to the city and mostly domestic.
United Airlines runs a hub at Dulles and carries most of its passengers, and more than 50 airlines fly here, with many long-haul routes to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The airport handled about 29 million passengers in 2025, a record.
Check-in, baggage claim and the International Arrivals Building are in the Main Terminal, known for its swooping roof. The gates are in midfield Concourses A and B (non-United airlines) and C and D (United), reached by the underground AeroTrain or, for some gates, by the airport's mobile lounges.
The Metro Silver Line, opened in 2022, stops at the airport and runs into Washington, and most travelers continue to the city, Tysons, Reston or Northern Virginia.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA)
- Runways
Four in operation; the longest are 11,500 ft (3,505 m)
- Passengers per year
About 29 million in 2025, a record
- Opened
November 17, 1962
- Hub
United Airlines
Arrival tips for Washington Dulles International Airport
At Dulles, your plane arrives at one of the midfield concourses or, for some flights, at a remote stand served by the mobile lounges. Domestic passengers take the AeroTrain or a mobile lounge to the Main Terminal, where baggage claim is on the lower level.
If you arrive on an international flight, you clear US Customs and Border Protection in the International Arrivals Building at the Main Terminal; many international passengers reach it by mobile lounge. United international arrivals at gates C1 to C14 have their own processing. If you are eligible, Global Entry or Mobile Passport Control can shorten the line.
After baggage claim, follow the signs for taxis, ride apps and the Metro. Washington Flyer runs the airport's taxi service. The Silver Line Metro station is reached from the Main Terminal. Your driver meets you at the arrivals level outside baggage claim, as shown in your confirmation.
Ground transportation
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Book a transfer from IADPrivate transfer from Dulles
A pre-booked driver meets you at the Main Terminal and takes you to downtown Washington, Tysons, Reston or elsewhere in Northern Virginia and Maryland. The easiest option with luggage, given the 26-mile distance.
Silver Line Metro
The Silver Line runs from the airport station into Washington and through Northern Virginia. Cheap, but slower than driving and you carry your bags.
Taxi from Dulles
Washington Flyer runs the airport's taxi service from the official stand outside baggage claim.
Uber and Lyft
Ride apps pick up at signposted areas; an airport fee applies to each trip.
Fairfax Connector bus
Routes 952 and 983 serve the Kiss and Fly area near the Metro station.
Moving between terminals
- 1
AeroTrain
An underground train linking the Main Terminal with Concourses A, B and C.
- 2
Mobile lounges
Dulles's raised 'plane-mate' buses serve Concourse D, remote H gates and international arrivals to the International Arrivals Building.
Terminals
One Main Terminal with check-in and baggage claim, and midfield concourses with the gates.
Main Terminal
Check-in, baggage claim, the International Arrivals Building and the Z gates, used by Air Canada and United Express.
Concourse A
Mainly international airlines other than United, plus some United Express flights.
Concourse B
Some international airlines and nearly all non-United domestic and Canada flights.
Concourse C
United mainline flights, including international arrivals at gates C1 to C14.
Concourse D
United and United Express flights, reached by mobile lounge.
Airlines and destinations
Main airlines at Dulles and the concourse each uses, where known.
Air Canada Main Terminal
Air France Concourse A
British Airways Concourse B
Etihad Airways Concourse A
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Concourse A
Lufthansa Concourse B
Turkish Airlines Concourse B
United Airlines Concourse C
Also Concourse D and United Express flights at the Z gates.
Virgin Atlantic Concourse A
Facilities
International Arrivals Building
US Customs and Border Protection at the Main Terminal.
AeroTrain
Underground train to Concourses A, B and C.
Mobile lounges
Raised buses to Concourse D, remote gates and international arrivals.
Silver Line Metro
Washington Metro station serving the airport, opened in 2022.
Capital One Lounge
In the Main Terminal past the TSA PreCheck checkpoint; see Airport lounges.
Airport lounges
Capital One Lounge (Main Terminal)
Past the TSA PreCheck checkpoint, for eligible Capital One cardholders.
Air France/KLM Lounge (Concourse A)
Across from gate A22.
Etihad Lounge (Concourse A)
Next to gate A14.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (Concourse A)
Across from gate A32.
British Airways Galleries (Concourse B)
Next to the AeroTrain station.
Lufthansa Senator and Business Lounges (Concourse B)
At gate B51.
Turkish Airlines Lounge (Concourse B)
Near gate B41.
United Polaris Lounge (Concourse C)
Across from gate C17, for United Polaris business class passengers.
United Clubs (Concourses C and D)
At gates C7, C17 and D8.
Accessibility and passenger assistance
Requesting assistance
Request wheelchair or mobility assistance through your airline when you book, and confirm it at least 48 hours before you fly.
Reduced mobility
Some gates are reached by mobile lounge, so tell your airline in advance if you need help boarding or getting to baggage claim.
Service animals
Rules for service and emotional support animals are set by each airline, so check with yours before you travel and carry the required documents.
Assistance on arrival
Airline staff meet passengers who requested assistance at the aircraft and accompany them through customs and baggage claim to the curb.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Dulles airport from downtown Washington, DC?
Washington Dulles International Airport is about 26 miles (42 km) west of downtown Washington, in Dulles, Virginia. The Metro Silver Line runs from the airport into the city, and by road the drive depends on traffic on the Dulles Toll Road and I-66.
Is Dulles the same as Reagan National Airport?
No. Washington has two main airports run by the same authority: Dulles International (IAD), 26 miles west of the city with most long-haul international flights and a United hub, and Reagan National (DCA), much closer to downtown and mostly domestic. Check which one your ticket shows.
Is there a Metro from Dulles airport?
Yes. The Silver Line of the Washington Metro has served Dulles airport since November 2022, running through Reston and Tysons into Washington, DC.
What are the mobile lounges at Dulles?
Mobile lounges, or plane-mates, are raised buses that carry passengers between the Main Terminal and some gates. Today they serve Concourse D, remote H gates and many international arrivals heading to the International Arrivals Building. Most other gates are reached by the AeroTrain.
Which concourse does United use at Dulles?
United Airlines uses Concourses C and D, where the United Polaris Lounge and several United Clubs are, and United Express also uses the Z gates in the Main Terminal. Most other airlines use Concourses A and B.