I am ariving alone from Africa with 2 big suitcases and need to make my way from Dulles airport to Charlottesville. Can anybody suggest the most convenient (economical)method and route to travel. Thank you. John

rent a car and drive down route 29. virtually a direct route. pretty, too. you will be able to unload the car in charlottesville.

I'm from Africa - we drive on the left side of the road! I think I need a little time to adjust before I start renting cars. Is there a train or any other type of transport from Dulles?

there are no trains or buses from Dulles to harlottesville.

There is a train 19 Crescent from Union Station in Washington, DC to Charlottesville departing 6:30 pm, arriving 8:47 pm. $56.00 reserved seat coach.

There are also two buses leaving Union Station for Charlottesville. $22.30.

Dep. 10:10 am, arr. 1:05 pm
Dep. 5:15 pm, arr. 8:47 pm

Other posters here can give you best way from Dulles to Union Station with your luggage.

The train also stops at Manassas, but it would be easier to get it in DC.

Google Amtrak and schedules for more information and welcome to Virginia.

It depends on when your flight arrives at Dulles. I wouldn't go into Washington DC unless your flight landed too late for you to catch the train.

I would take a taxi to the Manassas Amtrak station (probably a $45 cab ride or so), and catch the Crescent line of Amtrak (train #19) to Charlottesville. The train leaves daily at 7:22 pm from Manassas and arrives 8:52 pm in Charlottesville (please be advised that Amtrak often runs behind schedule).

It appears that the Amtrak trip, one way, is less than $30.

Once in Charlottesville, take a taxi to your hotel.

Only head into Washington and Union Station if you need more flexibility, but even then, there are only 2 trains a day from Union Station to Charlottesville.

If you were to travel using ronkala's route (which is doable), you'd either take a cab to Union Station from Dulles (at least $60, I think) or you'd take a shuttle bus to a subway station, but it might get difficult to manage with your suitcases (that would be probably about $25).

I live near Dulles and went to grad school in Charlottesville. You wouldn't have much trouble driving once you got out of the DC Metro area, but it would be several miles until you were out of the area, so it might be too nerve-wracking at the beginning.