I arrive in Washington D.C.'s National Airport at 1 15 a.m. Is a taxi my only way to get to Bethesda, Maryland? Or are there any shuttles or private services that anyone recommends?
Question
Posted on Nov 19, 2010
26 Answers
Hi Karen,
Super Shuttle is a good option. I would book it in advance. The price is shared between other riders. The down side is that you could have a few stops if you're not the first one dropped off.
-Mike
Posted Nov 21, 2010
Add a commentHi Mike, Thanks for the Super Shuttle tip. I appreciate it! Cheers, Karen
Posted on Nov 21, 2010
Hi Karen,
No problem and if you head into DC I did a write up about two months ago about things to do (I responded to another thread).
Have a good week,
Mike
Posted on Nov 21, 2010
Can you send me the URL to the DC write up you did? Thanks, Karen
Posted on Nov 21, 2010
Hi Karen-
See if this works:
http://beta.afar.com/questions/what-to-do-in-washington-dc#answer_d4bf9f2cb109ff448ffd
Posted on Nov 21, 2010
Fabulous!
Got the link and saw the wealth of info you provided. Amazing. Seems to me you should write a DC travel app! I haven't written one yet myself, but seems to be The Thing to Do! Sutro Media is a popular one.
Posted on Nov 21, 2010
Just a warning about the Super Shuttle: sometimes it can make MANY stops before it gets to yours. It will be far cheaper than a cab, but could be far less direct too - it's something of a crapshoot as to if it's pretty straightforward, or totally circuitous.
Posted on Nov 26, 2010
Nope! You can take the blue line to metro center and then the red line up to Bethesda on the metro!
Posted Nov 22, 2010
Add a commentThanks, Katie!
Posted on Nov 23, 2010
That will only work on Friday or Saturday nights, when the Metro runs until 3am (really, though, with transfers and such you better be on a train no later than 2am). Sunday-Thursday, metro stops at midnight.
Posted on Nov 23, 2010
Karen,
You can take the Metro (subway) Yellow Line to Gallery Place and then transfer to the Red Line to Bethesday. Also, SuperShuttle will get you there.
Phil
Posted Nov 22, 2010
Add a commentI live in DC/right off of Gallery Place-during the day the metro is one way to get out of Dulles with a shuttle to the Metro (will cost you a few dollars). At 1:15am (plus getting your bags) I wouldn't recommend the Metro: 1)Check to see if the Metro is still running that late at night (Metro trip planner link below). I believe the Metro is closed at/around this time. 2) Even if the Metro is open it will be a hike to get from Dulles to Bethesda (assuming the Metro is open this late-you'll be switching lines, waiting a while for new trains-I would assume that you'd get to your location at 3am/3:30am or later)
If you don't mind spending the extra money take a taxi and you'll be at your location before you know it (assuming you're tired from the flight:) or take the SuperShuttle to save a little, but you might be passenger number "X" for the drop off. I've done SuperShuttle a bunch of times from Dulles. Another option is renting a car.
Have fun on your trip!
Posted on Nov 23, 2010
Thanks, Phil, Michael and Katie! I appreciate it. I am safe and sound here in Bethesda, Maryland. I have learned a lot of options from you all and am grateful. I am happy to have those resources for my future trips here - and feel sheepish confessing I found a friend to pick me up at the airport so had private door to door service - this time.
Posted on Nov 23, 2010
A friend in need is a in deed! You got the best option!
Posted on Nov 23, 2010
Agree with Michael. Redline at that hour (if you can get it) is a ghost-town. I would go with Super Shuttle too.
Posted on Nov 23, 2010
Don't know if you're here already but I'd definitely recommend taking the metro into the city.
Posted Nov 23, 2010
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Karen:
Katie & Michael have good answers. Also, another service similar to Super Shuttle is...
Airport Express Shuttle6000 Sligo Mill Rd
Washington DC 20011
district: Washington, DC +1 202.541.1012
If you get back into Washington, enjoy a great, inexpensive breakfast at:
La Colline 400 North capitol Street Northwest
Washington D.C., DC 20001
Very Happy Travels,
Lance Johnson / Oklahoma City
Posted Nov 23, 2010
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Karen,
I live in the DC area and unfortunately at 1:15 in the morning the METRO (our subway system) is not running. METRO's hours of operation are (more info @ http://www.wmata.com/index.cfm ):
Monday - Thursday 5 am to midnight Friday 5 am to 3 am Saturday Saturday 7 am to 3 am Sunday Sunday 7 am to midnightPosted Nov 24, 2010
Add a commentThank you!
Posted on Dec 04, 2010
I think the metro stops running at midnight... and DC can be sketchy after midnight. If it were me, I would take a taxi - you can probably get one to Bethesda for about $20.
Posted Nov 24, 2010
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Metro schedules: http://www.wmata.com/rail/schedules.cfm
If it's not running, cab fare that time of night shouldn't be too horrendous because of the lighter traffic.
Posted Nov 26, 2010
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Hi -- Like others, I would recommend the metro. Here's a map: http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm
The shuttle is also a good option, but it could be a long ride in traffic.
I used to live in that area, so let me know if you have additional questions.
Posted Nov 26, 2010
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No the cab is not the only option you have. You can take the metro (blue or yellow line) and transfer to the red line at the Metro Center There are a number of stations in Bethesda.
Posted Nov 26, 2010
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Karen, the Metro is your best answer to getting into Bethesda. Follow the signs for the Metro--it's a bit of a walk, but not impossible. You should be able to use elevators at National Airport, Metro Center and Bethesda and avoid taking your baggage on an escalator. In Bethesda, if you are staying in the downtown area, you can walk. If you need a cab, you can catch it at the Metro stop--there's a big hotel there with a constant supply of cabs.
It would be very expensive to take a cab from National, so I'd avoid it!
Posted Nov 29, 2010
Add a commentAt 1:15 in the morning, I'd take a taxi if I were you. Metro won't be running that late and you don't want to sit around waiting on a Super Shuttle.
Posted Dec 06, 2010
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Karen,
If you arrive at Reagan Monday through Thursday after midnight, you will have to take a taxi as METRO closes at Midnight Sunday through Thursday. If you arrive on Friday or Saturday night, the trains run until 3am. Please make sure your arrival time is correct. I may be mistaken, but I thought the noise abatement rules prohibited take-offs and landings that early (or late!) in the day.
Taxis here are not expensive compared to many other large cities, so I agree with several other people that a taxi is still your best bet at that hour. Keep in mind that even if trains are running, they will be very infrequent. This link: http://www.wmata.com/ has a trip planner tool that shows it will take nearly an hour to get to Bethesda from the airport at the time you get in.
Ray
Posted Dec 11, 2010
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Karen, this might have been answered above, but if you are arriving on a friday or saturday, the Metro will be an option for you. http://www.wmata.com/rail/station_detail.cfm?station_id=93.
Otherwise, I recommend a taxi.
Posted Dec 11, 2010
Add a commentHI, I wouldn't chose the super shuttle ... you just never know just how many stops there may be before yours. If money is not an issue, just hop in a cab. However, the Metro is easy, low cost and efficient. At the airport take the BLUE line (Largo Center end stop) to Metro Center, head upstairs and get on the RED line (Shady Grove end stop) to Bethesda. DC is a great city, enjoy!
Posted Dec 13, 2010
Add a commentThe first thing I would say is to double check your arrival time. Nat'l has a midnite curfew unless it has changed in the last month. I was in LA the end of Oct. With a connection in Charlotte which was delayed so when we finally left they routed us to Dulles. Metro runs until 2am but is safe and very simple. Car service is cheaper than a cab. When r u coming? Business or pleasure?
Posted Dec 14, 2010
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The Super Shuttle is the best. They usually only schedule just three or four stops from DCA and I used them just last week (only three stops for us and I was first off). You can make a reservation online and pay in advance so you don't have to fumble with money and tips if you don't want.
Posted Dec 15, 2010
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Metro stops running at midnight so a cab is your best bet. On your return you can red line from Bethesda to Metro Center and hop on the Blue line back to Reagan. Cheers.
Posted Dec 19, 2010
Add a commentI would check on your flight times. National does not have flights arriving after 10pm as they have some of the most stringent noise abatement regulations in the country. Assuming you are arriving between 7am and 10pm (National's operating hours) then you can take the metro from the airport to Bethesda. Metros hours are weekdays 5am-midnight and weekends 7am-3am.
Posted Dec 20, 2010
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Metro runs until midnight Sunday - Thursday.
On Friday and Saturday, the last Metro heading towards Bethesda leaves at 2:44am from the Airport, so if you arrive on Fri/Sat, you may be able to take the metro.
If you're coming from the west coast, however, you might want to take a cab (plentiful at the airport), relax from the long flight, and avoid the tipsy crowd getting out the clubs so late at night.
Posted Jan 06, 2011
Add a commentUnfortunately, you have limited choices of transportation due to your arrival time. Your best bet would be a taxi. Metro could work if you were arriving before midnight.
Posted Jan 06, 2011
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Metro Trip planner at http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/tripplanner/tripplanner.cfm will help you on your return. They also have an iPhone app to show you when the next train arrives/departs. Double check your arrival time/airport just to be sure. You'll have a problem using Metro from DCA at that hour! There's the SuperShuttle as an option, or a taxi.
Posted Jan 06, 2011
Add a commentIf you're arriving on a Friday or Saturday the metro will be running.
Posted Jan 15, 2011
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