Dulles into D.C.
 

OPtions for getting from Dulles Airport to hotel near convention center. I will not be renting a car.

Uber or taxi. I'm sure there are bus options as well, but it's a long ride (30 miles).

For bus and subway, try the WMATA Trip Planner:

https://www.wmata.com/schedules/trip-planner/

There is an airport bus that goes to Wiehle Ave silver line metro station and from there you can take the metro.

UberX and taxi will be about the same = $50-$70 depending on traffic and not including tip.

If you're good with pretty easy public transport, $5 gets you the Silver Line Express bus to Wiehle Ave Metro. Then $3-4 more on metro into the city with one change at Metro Center to get to Mt Vernon Square/Convention Center. All very well signed.

If you're slightly more adventurous, $6 gets you the 5A bus to L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station where you can get another $3 ish metro ride on the yellow line to Mt Vernon Square/Convention Center. Less well signed.

according to WMATA I take the 5a bus toward Lenfant then YELLOW line to Mt Vernon Convention center. Hotel is short .3 mile to my hotel. I would rather not have to change at metro stop if I don't have to.Bus to metro works for me. Is it safe for a single woman pulling luggage to walk alone in DC in that area.

A little confused on oxgirl saying that it is SLIGHTLY more adventurous to take 5A bus then yellow line to Convention center which appears to be a straight shot to me. Seems much simpler. Am I understanding this correctly.

Probably depends on the time of day you are arriving. No problem from 6 am to 6 pm. Maybe a slight bit riskier from 6 pm to 9 pm, and not advisable by yourself later than that.

thanks 1IntrepidTraveler This will be around 8:30- 9pm and it will be very dark outside.. I arrive at Dulles at 6pm (no checked luggage) and figure it will take me probably that long to maneuver myself into downtown DC. Am I right Even if I opt for a cab or Uber.

3 hours? No, with no luggage, you’ll should be in downtown DC an hour and 15 minutes after the plane lands.

Ultimately, you are responsible for your own safety. If you feel unsafe, do yourself a favor and spend the extra money for a more secure means of travel to your location.

I agree with sf. On a weekend you'll be in DC by 7:15 - 7:30. During the week, barring traffic or metro snafu (always a possibility) by 8:00.

Silver Line Express v. 5A bus. I said "slightly more adventurous" b/c I think most people shy away from regular city bus transportation as too complicated. They're both easy to use in this case. Sorry if that created confusion.

Sil Line Exp runs every 15-20 min to Wiehle Ave Metro station. 5A bus runs every 35-40 min and deposits you on D Street approx half block from L'Enfant Plaza Metro station.

If it were me I'd do the Silver Line Exp & metro to the Metro Center station, go up to street level and catch an uber or cab to your hotel. It'll cost only a few bucks more over staying on the metro to L'Enfant Plaza, switching to the Yellow/Green line and then walking to your hotel.

Look at a DC Metro map and/or a map of the city and you'll see that Metro Center is much closer to your ultimate destination than L'Enfant Plaza -- perhaps even walking distance to your hotel.

Where are you staying?

I don't agree w/ 1IntrepidTraveler's suggestion the area is increasingly unsafe after 6pm. It isn't a neighborhood with an active nightlife so it's definitely quieter after dark. But I do agree that a woman alone pulling a suitcase at night while looking at the map on her phone isn't the most security conscious posture in any city.