Flying out of Dulles

[monkeybug]

Anyone know of any long term parking nearby? When we lived in Oregon there was a hotel that offered long term parking for only $50, and they had a shuttle to the airport. Is there anything similar near Dulles?
I've also heard that this airport takes especially long to get through, is that true? How much time should I allow with three kids and a husband prone to stress and tantrums?
We are flying out at 6 something a.m.

 

[LukenDC]

Not sure about parking, but the Dulles security line can be quite long and waits of more than an hour are not infrequent. With your 6:00 AM departure, however, the security line should not be long. I have taken two very early (5:00 AM, 6:00 AM) international flights out of Dulles and never had a long wait to go through security.

 

[BonnieA]

There are park/sleep/fly hotels around Dulles. Just google it to get a list.

 

[monkeybug]

Not sure about parking, but the Dulles security line can be quite long and waits of more than an hour are not infrequent. With your 6:00 AM departure, however, the security line should not be long. I have taken two very early (5:00 AM, 6:00 AM) international flights out of Dulles and never had a long wait to go through security.

Oh that's good to hear! I just got off the phone with my Mom (who has flown out of Dulles twice) who was telling me that it's the worst airport she has ever been too, and a few of the Drs. she works with say the same. She's prone to exaggeration though!

 

[monkeybug]

There are park/sleep/fly hotels around Dulles. Just google it to get a list.

Thanks! Probably seems like a silly question, but I've only flown a handful of times, and we've never had to use longterm parking before.

 

[agnes!]

I hate Dulles, it is one of the worst airports now. Used to be ok, but the new tram/trains didn't improve access at all. Walking around it is quite confusing, signage is not very good and I think one of the WORST (walk up ^, then down\/ then up^ & then up^ oh and probably down \/ again) airport to get between the Main entrance and the piers (even if you take the trains)...ugh. Count on it taking AT LEAST 30 minutes to get from the Main Entrance to your Gate *not* including security.

If you park at the covered parking count on it taking AT LEAST 20-25 minutes to get from your car TO the Main Entrance. I'd rather park at the long-term...at least if you use long-term you get a fairly-regular bus/shuttle to the Main Entrance, it can be faster from parking to getting in the building than if you use the parking garages. They do have a wonderful & close (right NEXT to the terminal) valet parking that is price-y but oh-so-worth it if you're flying at a busy time.

Having a 6am departure should be some help - the security lines probably won't be bad at all.

agnes!

 

[izzy]

I usually find good deals on buyreservations.com for the park and fly hotels around Dulles. Some of them will let you park at the hotel for 2 weeks. I think I got one that let me park there 3 weeks one time.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

When we fly out of Dulles we stay at the Hyatt. They have free long term parking and provide a shuttle to the airport (even that early in am). It's a nice hotel and the room pays for itself with the free parking.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I used to live in the DC area. If we had a morning flight out of IAD we would stay at the Marriott on the Airport. They had a special Stay and Park rate which included up to two weeks of parking. And their shuttle was very fast, since it was on the airport itself, and usually the driver would drop us off right at our car on the wsay back.