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Transportation options from Arlington to Dulles

Transportation options from Arlington to Dulles

Old Sep 1st, 2017, 07:35 AM
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Transportation options from Arlington to Dulles

Hi, Everyone,

We are two ladies of an age working out a budget for a Washington DC trip in the spring. We will be driving from New York and then dropping off our car at Reagan, depending on public transportation for our 6 day stay to explore the city. We will be staying in Arlington and flying home out of Dulles. A quick search of transportation options on the forum show posts up to three or four years old. Our question: is anyone able to give a ballpark figure for Uber rates from Arlington to Dulles? Would that be less expensive than a taxi? Any other suggestions, keeping in mind that we are past the time when we can do a lot of handling of our luggage trying to get to a shuttle pick-up point? Many thanks. You guys always come through.
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Old Sep 1st, 2017, 01:13 PM
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My Uber estimator app says $33-43.
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Old Sep 1st, 2017, 02:33 PM
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EXACTLY where in Arlington are you staying?
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Old Sep 1st, 2017, 07:35 PM
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Hi, sf7307. Thank you. Quite a bit less expensive than what taxis seem to run. We have never used Uber before and didn't realize that there is an estimator app.

Hello, Dukey1. We just booked Hilton Arlington at Ballston-MU
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Old Sep 1st, 2017, 10:58 PM
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From Ballston I suspect a taxi would easily cost $60 or more to Dulles.

Take a look at this "estimator"

https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Washingto...allston-VA-USA
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Old Sep 2nd, 2017, 01:20 AM
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I have stayed at that hotel - good location. I have taken Uber to and from IAD Falls Church (a little closer to IAD than Arlington) several times in past year. It was around $40-45 - not rush hour. A taxi has cost me $60 + tip. I have used quite a few Ubers around DC area and they were always efficient, clean, pleasant experiences. Lyft is another option - which I think is about comparable to Uber, but I have never used them.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2017, 03:14 AM
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If I may make a few suggestions:

1 - Drop off your luggage at the Hilton beforehand. Ballston is an easy exit off I-66. After you return your car at DCA, you can jump in the metro back to your hotel or elsewhere.
2 - You may also want to consider returning your car at another location closer to your hotel.

Safe travels!
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Old Sep 2nd, 2017, 06:14 AM
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Thank you Gail, Dukey, and mrsrvk. I appreciate the time you took to get back to me.
mrsrvk, great suggestion about dropping our luggage off at the hotel before returning the car. That would allow us to do the car return without having to deal with baggage. Regarding the car drop off, we will be driving toward DC on the morning of June 1st from Lancaster and were thinking about a Mt Vernon visit first and dropping the car off after that. Looking at the map, it appears that RReagan might be a good drop off point. We will be in a one way rental from New York and will need a drop off point that would be acceptable to Hotwire or Expedia or similar. Not knowing the area, we figured that an airport return might be easier than getting into the neighborhoods. Any suggestions on getting back to our hotel in Arlington? Would taxi or Uber be best or are there other options to consider especially since we will not be hampered by luggage? We will be locking on our car rental in the next few days.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2017, 06:41 AM
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When I balance cost and convenience for airport-related transportation, I almost always opt toward convenience. When you book the car, check out various drop-off points regarding cost. I am not a fan of in-city car rental places, even though I know they can save you money. You are arriving on a Friday. DC rush hour traffic on a Friday is not my idea of a good time. DCA is actually in Arlington. That does not mean it is a fast drive.

At least airport car rental drop off is efficient and well marked. I would drop the car at DCA, take Uber back to hotel - unless you can find some convenient Arlington location. But then you still have to get to hotel. Tag team, dropping off luggage and one person, back-tracking, etc just makes me nuts.

Understand that it might save some money, which might be a higher priority.

The Metro has issues - but at least there is a stop right at your hotel.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2017, 08:07 AM
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Great idea about visiting Mount Vernon first as you will need a car for that and Reagan airport is not too far. There's a metro stop at the airport (yellow and blue lines) if you want to take the metro back to your hotel. You will need to transfer (L'Enfant for yellow or Rosslyn for Blue) to get on the orange line to Ballston. D.C. metro is easier to navigate than New York's.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2017, 08:16 AM
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Hello, All--

Your input has been very helpful in putting options out there for consideration and we have settled on a plan (or plans). We will take Uber to Dulles for our trip home. As for the hotel-luggage-car drop-off thing on our way to DC, at first the idea of dropping the luggage off at the hotel and then proceeding sounded like the best option. But something that Gail said resonated with us--cost vs. convenience. We are two women who have just moved into what might be called the "senior" category and at this point the days when we want to try to manage luggage and transportation, etc., on our own are behind us. While we are not on a strict budget, we do like to consider costs when possible, but when cost vs. convenience in this case is weighed, convenience wins out. So...we'll visit Mt. Vernon while we have the car; then we'll drop the car off at DCA and take an Uber or a taxi to our hotel.

Thank you all very much
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Old Sep 2nd, 2017, 02:08 PM
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You can TAKE THE METRO from DCA to your hotel as well. It will involve one very EASY change at Rosslyn to the Orange Line.

That Hilton you booked is situated on TOP of the Ballston Metro station; up the escalator and you are there.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2017, 09:23 PM
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Old Sep 2nd, 2017, 09:28 PM
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Good to know, Dukey1. Thanks again
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