Washington Dulles International Airport

Since Washington Dulles International Airport serves such a large area, there are several ways of reaching the airport depending on the area from which one is coming. From downtown Washington DC, head west on Interstate 66; take exit 67 and follow the signs to the terminal. The airport is approximately 16 miles from the exit.

Passengers traveling from Baltimore should take exit 27 on South Interstate 95. Proceed on the Beltway and take exit 45A. From there, just follow the signs to the airport, which is about 13 miles from the exit. Anyone with Internet access can get door to door driving directions by using one of the websites that provide directions. The key is to type in the 3-letter airport code in either the starting from box or the destination box. The code for Washington Dulles International Airport is IAD.

There are various ways to reach Washington Dulles International Airport using public transportation. Commuters can take the Orange Line to the West Falls Church Station and then take the Washington Flyer Bus to the airport. The airport can also be accessed by taking the Metrobus route 5A.

For more information on getting to Washington Dulles International Airport, consult the airport website. Detailed information is provided for different modes of transportation along with links to the websites of those that provide the transportation. Various phone numbers are also provided, such as the number for the airport Super Shuttle, which requires advance reservations for transportation to the airport, however, when leaving Washington Dulles International Airport via the Super Shuttle, no reservations are required.

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There are several options available for ground transportation after arriving at Washington Dulles International Airport. Taxis are plentiful and the Super Shuttle van operates an on-demand service. No reservation is required for the Super Shuttle and you'll find the stops marked outside the main terminal. More information can also be found at the Super Shuttle website. There are also several rental car options available upon arrival.

Another option for ground transportation at Washington Dulles International Airport is the Washington Flyer Coach, which is a climate controlled bus that connects to the Metrorail system, which delivers passengers to a wide variety of area destinations. Passengers can find extensive information about the Metrorail system at the Metrorail website and for those passengers already at the airport, there is a curbside representative at Washington Dulles International Airport ready to assist.

There is a Cell Phone waiting area for those picking passengers up at Washington Dulles International Airport. It's free to use and there are signs directing you to the area. Just go to the intersection of Rudder Road and Autopilot drive and follow the signs. Simply wait in your car (for up to 1 hour) and the arriving party will call you when they have arrived and direct you to a numbered door where you can meet them.

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Passengers traveling through Washington Dulles International Airport have no shortage of shopping options. Whether shopping for books, gifts, or a variety of newspapers, shoppers have a wide variety of choices at this airport. Hudson News/Euro Café is a pleasant way to pass the time while waiting for your flight. The airport also houses Borders and Faber News and Gifts so passengers truly have a wide variety of reading material and gifts from which to choose.

Try the Smithsonian Museum Store, located in Concourse B for something truly unique. All of the products featured in the store are replications or adaptations from archives, collections, artifacts and exhibitions contained in the Smithsonian Museums as well as the National Zoo. Virtually all of the profit from sales at the Smithsonian Museum store goes to support the Smithsonian Museum in some form or fashion.

You may also wish to stop in at In Motion for your entertainment needs while traveling. Here, you can rent a portable DVD player and movies and return them at another airport with an In Motion store or you can simply mail them back. You can also make purchases at the store. For more information on these and other shops, visit the Washington Dulles International Airport website.

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There are plenty of delicious food choices for the hungry traveler arriving at Washington Dulles International Airport. Whether hungry for a snack or a full-fledged meal, travelers will find something for every taste. Fast food eateries abound, such as Wendy's and Subway. Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts are also there to provide a pick-me-up or a wake-up. For those who have the time and wish to dine in a sit down restaurant, there is no shortage of those either.

Jose Cuervo Tequileria, which is famous for their blue corn quesadillas, is a welcome refuge for those traveling to Washington Dulles International Airport. Patrons can have their fill of fine Mexican food and a margarita or other drink at this establishment. For those who don't have the time to sit down and dine, to-go boxes are provided and allowed on most flights.

Those traveling to Washington Dulles International Airport will also be happy to discover other eating establishments, such as Tidewater Landing and Cosi. For those with a sweet tooth, Ben & Jerry's ice cream may be the answer. Pizza and various snacks can also be easily found at Washington Dulles International Airport.

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There are hundreds of hotels in the vicinity of Washington Dulles International Airport, many just a short distance away. The Hilton Washington Dulles Airport Hotel is located less than 3 miles from the airport in Herndon, Virginia. The Washington Dulles Airport Marriott is located less than a mile form the main terminal as it is located on airport property.

Visitors to Washington Dulles International Airport have a plethora of attractions from which to choose; among them the Smithsonian Institution and Museums, the National Zoo, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, which is located at Dulles. This center houses thousands of aviation as well as space artifacts and is a companion to the National Mall Museum. Of course, most any visitor to the area will want to take advantage of the rich history in our nation's capital and visit as many historical places as possible.

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Traveler's Aid can be found in 25 North American airports, including Washington Dulles International Airport as well as at large bus and train stations in major cities. Traveler's Aid is a social service organization born during the Industrial Revolution, and while its services are not restricted to those who may be stranded at airports, they have been a beacon to millions of travelers over the years.

What many people don't realize however, is that this organization utilizes more than sixteen hundred volunteers in those airports and other transportation venues and in 2006 alone assisted more than 6 million people who were in various states of need. While many of those assisted only needed information and directions, many others were assisted with forgotten medications, stolen credit cards, and a vast array of other problems.

As in so many other areas, 9-11 has impacted the way in which Traveler's Aid assists the traveling public. For instance, they have assisted passengers with mailing items back home that otherwise would be confiscated by airport security. They have also been a welcome relief to passengers who have been stranded due to flight delays; passengers who have missed rides and had no other way to connect with their loved ones.

Traveler's Aid is not only a welcome presence in these transportation venues, but is a wonderful opportunity for those who wish to volunteer their time to help others. The Traveler's Aid program at Washington Dulles International Airport, as well as at airports and other transportation venues across the country are staffed with caring volunteers from all walks of life. For more information, inquire at the Traveler's Aid station at the airport or visit their website by the same name.

Need Transportation? Call 800-984-4303

ATMs & Foreign Currency Exchanges can be found peppered throughout Washington Dulles International Airport. In addition, Chevy Chase Bank is located in the main terminal. There are also foreign currency ATMs located in Concourses C and D.

Traveling by air is often stressful; however passengers at Washington Dulles International Airport can relax while waiting for their flights by getting a massage at the Massage Bar. Seated massages are offered lasting either 15 minutes or 30 minutes, although Massage Bar tailors its services to each individual customer. Massage Bar offers a variety of products for sale, including soaps and lotions, however, some of these products may not be allowed to be carried on the plane due to TSA regulations so passengers would need to be aware of the regulations if they plan to purchase any items before a flight.

There is a USO lounge located on the Arrivals level at Washington Dulles International Airport across from Baggage Claim 12. The lounge is open daily from 6 am until 10 pm. The USO, or United Service Organization is an organization that serves military personnel and their families. While the organization provides an abundance of services as a whole, the USO lounge at the airport provides a welcome respite to military personnel and their families who are waiting to travel or who have traveled a long way. Here, they are offered a quiet place away from the buzz of the terminal in which to refresh and get the rest they so often are in bad need of.

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Washington Dulles International Airport is one of the few remaining airports in the United States that still permit smoking within designated smoking lounges within the terminal. The smoking lounges are located in Concourses B, C, and D. Other than the designated smoking lounges, smoking must be kept outside the main terminal.

Mobile lounges transport those passengers arriving on International flights. They are transported from the plane to the International Arrivals Building, which is located at the west end of the main terminal. Once the International passengers have received clearance, they enter the main terminal.

Business Passengers and those wishing to use the Business Service Center will find it in the main terminal at the ticketing level. Various services are offered, including fax and photocopying. A notary public is also available from 7am to 9pm daily. Those needing to exchange foreign currency can do so at the Business Service Center as well as other places throughout the airport. Anyone desiring to purchase insurance can also do so at the Business Service Center.

There is an interfaith chapel located in Concourse B at Washington Dulles International Airport. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides a quiet place for those of all faiths to pray or sit quietly. The chapel is staffed with several Chaplains and is there to serve the needs of both passengers and employees. There are various services offered at the chapel at different and distinct times. Services offered include Catholic Mass, Protestant Worship, Muslim Prayer Service, and Jewish Prayer Service. Visit the Washington Dulles International Airport website for specific service times and more information.

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Washington Dulles International Airport has been featured in several movies, including Die Hard 2: Die Harder and the Airport movie sequels. At times in filmography, Washington Dulles International Airport plays itself, however at other times, while filming occurs at Dulles, the airport set may be Chicago O'Hare or another airport entirely. In the case of Die Hard 2: Die Harder, while the movie was set at Dulles, the filming actually took place at LAX and Stapleton International Airport in Denver, Colorado, which has since closed.

Forces of Nature, a 1999 movie starring Sandra Bullock and Ben Affleck was filmed partially in Washington Dulles International Airport, although the airport was set in New York. Dulles was also featured in The Hunt for Red October.

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