I'm flying out of Dulles on a Tuesday in early September on British Airways. The flight leaves at 8:10am. I'd rather not have to ask my parents to give me a ride since they'd have to fight traffic into the city. I'd like to take the 5A express bus from L'Enfant Plaza. I'm aware of the other transit options. The earliest 5A bus arrives at Dulles at 6:23. Would this allow me enough time to check my bag and get through security if I've already printed my boarding pass online?

Hi,
I flew from Dulles this month and was advised to turn up at least two hours before my flight.
The check in had a long line and when I checked my bags and had them weighed I was sent to another line for security screening by TSA. Like you I already had my boarding pass.
I would advise going early to allow time for security checks.
Have a good trip.

Hi -- if you're not checking any luggage I think you should have plenty of time. Security lines can sometimes be slow -- I've stood in line up to 20-30 minutes that time of the morning, but that still allows you enough time to take the mobile lounge and walk to your gate for an 8:10 flight. The other quesiton, is it an International flight? If so I believe you may have to check in at the airline desk, but I'm not certain of that. Even so, you should still have enough time arriving at 6:23.

I can't say for certain about international flights, but for a domestic trip this should be plenty of time--particularly on a Tuesday, which is one of the slowest travel days of the week. I fly out of Dulles regularly and, even on the worst days, I can't recall ever needing more than 90 minutes prior to my flight.

All of this assumes the bus will actually show up on time and leave on time.

There's an a.m. flight to London out of Dulles on British Airways so I'm assuming the OP's trip is an international one. Assuming you actually arrive at 6:23, that shoud be enough time to make the flight.

That said, I've had too many close calls and a couple of missed flights from IAD, so I no longer throw my lot to the DC traffic gods via public transport. If it were me, I'd ask my parents or a friend to drive. Bring them something extra special nice from where ever you're travelling.

I would much rather kill some time with a latte in the boarding area than flipping out on the 5A in the event of traffic issues.

My husband has taken the 5a from L'Enfant Plaza to IAD. One time this past December during evening rush hour and with a very bad rain storm, the bus arrived at IAD an hour or so late. Other than that one time, it has always arrived on schedule (or very close). Leaving so early in the am, you should avoid traffic. Although I'm with obxgirl if you're nervous about making it--u might want to consider another mode of transportation and arrive early rather than be stressed getting there.