BWI to Arlington VA Question

[Amy&Dan]

This has nothing to do with Disney but I am hoping maybe somebody on here lives in the DC/Baltimore area and can help me!

We are flying into BWI to visit family that live in Arlington in late March. They do not drive so we will need to take a cab, shuttle or maybe the Metro to get from BWI out to Arlington where they live. We normally fly into National but we saved $1,000 for the four of us by flying into BWI over National and about $600 over Dulles. Not too sure about the Metro (if it even goes out there), we arrive around 8:00 p.m.

Mapquest has BWI as being 37 miles to my family's house.

Can anyone give me any insight or recommendations? My family only flies in and out of National and has always discouraged us from flying into BWI but my husband went for it anyway to save that much money.

TIA for any help anyone can give me!

 

[jsilvers]

They do not drive so we will need to take a cab, shuttle or maybe the Metro to get from BWI out to Arlington where they live. We normally fly into National but we saved $1,000 for the four of us by flying into BWI over National and about $600 over Dulles. Not too sure about the Metro (if it even goes out there), we arrive around 8:00 p.m.

Metro does not go to BWI. There are public transit options, but given your arrival time, there may be long waits. A couple of options:

(1) Take the free airport bus to the rail station; take a train to Union Station; take Metro's red line and change to either the blue line or orange line, depending on where you're going in Arlington; then take a cab if your family is not within walking distance to the Metro.

(2) Metro bus B30 stops at the BWI terminal; take it to Greenbelt and catch the green line to downtown; as above, change to the blue line or orange line, etc.

A service such as SuperShuttle is certainly going to be less complicated (but since they can make multiple stops, may not necessarily be faster). A cab would definitely be easiest/fastest, but not cheapest.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thank you so much. That public transportation system sounds way too complicated!

I checked Super Shuttle and its about $168 total (round trip) for all four of us. Do you have any idea what a cab would cost?

We arrive at 8:00 p.m. so that might make the traffic a bit easier and faster.

TIA!

 

[jsilvers]

Do you have any idea what a cab would cost

I believe that taxis starting at BWI charge $2.50/mile (plus various fees for additional passengers, bags handled by the driver, etc.), so a one-way trip to Arlington will almost certainly exceed $100. The return trip might actually be a bit less, since different jurisdictions have different taxi rates, and Arlington taxis appear to have a base rate of $2.00/mile.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thank you very much for your help. Even with the higher taxi amount, I am still glad we changed, its not like we wouldn't have had a pretty hefty cab fare from Dulles! We are still coming in way ahead.

 

[kwdw]

Thank you very much for your help. Even with the higher taxi amount, I am still glad we changed, its not like we wouldn't have had a pretty hefty cab fare from Dulles! We are still coming in way ahead.

While the public transportation route is not as hard as it sounds as everything is well-labeled - you would likely have to take Amtrak trains, not the commuter trains by the time you hit the train station - and that's a bit more money.

I would definitely hire a car, or take a taxi - and be prepared to pay - I'd guess close to $100 for a taxi.

You could probably RENT a car from BWI - with a National airport drop-off the next day for less than a taxi, however.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

While the public transportation route is not as hard as it sounds as everything is well-labeled - you would likely have to take Amtrak trains, not the commuter trains by the time you hit the train station - and that's a bit more money.

I would definitely hire a car, or take a taxi - and be prepared to pay - I'd guess close to $100 for a taxi.

You could probably RENT a car from BWI - with a National airport drop-off the next day for less than a taxi, however.

The idea to rent a car at BWI seems to be a viable solution. That is one possible solution that the OP may wish to explore.

 

[prncess674]

I would just rent a car. Super Shutle could entail many stops before getting to your location and just like DME they will pick you up very early for your return. If you do decide to rent a car make sure they live in an area with free street parking without time restrictions. I live in Clarendon near the metro and street parking is limited to 2, 4 or 12 hours depending on the zone.

 

[DopeyDame]

Renting a car is certainly a viable option, but the public transportation is actually really easy! The shuttle from BWI to the train station is right outside of baggage claim, and only about a 5 minute ride. Then you just take any train running (either Amtrak or regional rail) to Union Station and then transfer to the appropriate metro (ask your family for that info) I know it sounds like a lot of changes, and depending on how much luggage you have, renting a car may be the way to go, but I just wanted to reassure you that everything is really well marked, well lit, and easy to do in case you do want to go with the public transit option.

 

[prncess674]

Renting a car is certainly a viable option, but the public transportation is actually really easy! The shuttle from BWI to the train station is right outside of baggage claim, and only about a 5 minute ride. Then you just take any train running (either Amtrak or regional rail) to Union Station and then transfer to the appropriate metro (ask your family for that info) I know it sounds like a lot of changes, and depending on how much luggage you have, renting a car may be the way to go, but I just wanted to reassure you that everything is really well marked, well lit, and easy to do in case you do want to go with the public transit option.

Umm a bus, a train and two metro lines isn't exactly "easy" especially if you are traveling with kids and luggage. Also realize the OP mentions she will be arriving after 8pm. Metro and train both run on a reduced schedules after rush hour and there could be as much as 20 minutes of waiting between transportion.

Sample

8:00pm - Arrive BWI
8:15pm - pick up checked bags
8:20pm - board bus to MARC station
8:30pm - Arrive at station and read train schedule, purchase tickets, wait for train. (While you CAN take either MARC or Amtrak, Amtrak is more expensive and MARC runs Monday - Friday only)
8:50pm - catch the second to last train. (http://mta.maryland.gov/services/marc/serviceInformation/Penn_Aug2010.pdf)
9:35pm - Arrive DC station, buy metro tickets and walk down to metro tracks
9:50pm - board Metro red line and ride to Metro center (transfer point to the orange line, Most of Arlington is on the orange line)
10:00pm - arrive metro center which has notorious long waits for blue/orange
10:15pm - board orange line train towards Vienna
10:30pm - arrive Arlington Ballston station, walk/cab to family house with luggage and two kids
Almost 11pm by the time they arrive assuming they know what they are doing and don't board anything incorrectly.

3 hrs just seems crazy.