On my travels to SC I will have a 7 hour layover in Washington, DC - IAD airport.
I have never been there before. Can anyone tell me about good ways to kill some time while waiting on my connecting flight?
Remember, I only have 7 hours....actually less than that since I have to give myself some time to go back through security and get to my gate.
All help is appreciated!
2007-09-23 09:32:06 · 10 answers · asked by sixxtwo42 4 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Washington, D.C.
I will be coming in around 2:50pm and flying back out around 9:55pm.
I am from Germany, so I doubt I will look at anything that has to do with the holocaust...lol...but thanks anyway....
2007-09-23 20:04:29 · update #1
First: You will only have about 5 hours to allow to get back into security.
Second: IAD is Dulles Airport. It is not in DC, it is Northern Virginia, a good ways from DC. It is in the suburbs really, so there isn't much nearby.
Third: Traffic is notoriously AWFUL and you have to allow about double what you think it might take to travel a distance. There is really no good direct public transportation into DC from IAD, you'll have to arrange ground transportation: see http://www.metwashairports.com/dulles/parking_transportation_3/ground_transportation. The best bet would be to take the Metrobus to Metrorail (Metro), then Metro to the Mall.
The Mall would be the best "Bang for Buck" time-wise if you have your heart set on going into DC, you'll see the greatest concentration of DC sites. If you are going to go downtown, I'd allow 2 hours AT LEAST for travel time, just to be safe (to allow for traffic/bus schedule). Now you are down to only about 3 hours.
Personally - it seems like a lot of drama to go through for a few hours of sightseeing, but I live here.
However. There is a much better option in my opinion if you just looking to kill time.
The Udvar Hazy Center as part of the Smithsonian is right next to the airport, and although maybe not 5 hours of fun, cheaper and closer. Here is the link. http://www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy/
AND, they have ground transportation from IAD.
http://www.nasm.si.edu/visit/transportation/airports.cfm
2007-09-23 10:50:23 · answer #1 · answered by apbanpos 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I second the Udvar Hazy (website below). It's a Smithsonian & free! Air conditioned, comfortable to walk around, a neato gift shop, some food, very close to the airport, IMAX theater, and has really cool things to see at the museum to boot.
A cab to Udvar Hazy should be less than $5.
DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME TRYING TO GET INTO THE CITY AND THEN TRYING TO GO VISIT A MUSEUM AND THEN TRYING TO GET BACK IN TIME.
You will likely end up frustrated. It is about 1/2hour to 1 hour ride into the city & round trip. Locals might be able to do it, but you'll hardly see anything but traffic in your travels that way. And you'd have to take a cab or bus there (booo for trying to get places in a timely, inexpensive way).
If you're dying to see something else, Dulles Town Center mall is just a few miles up Rt 28 (a $5 to $7 cab ride). It's a great mall with plenty of food & shopping options.
Don't bother going downtown to DC, but do come back another time and check it out. DC is great for a full day trip, a weekend, or even a week. :)
2007-09-30 18:14:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anita 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BAD!!!!!!!!!! You will be driving on Rt 95 and Rt 495. Both of these areas along these 2 roads are rated in the top 5 WORST roads in the country. Especially Rt 495 (the beltway). However, during the summer it's a bit better (but only a bit). Friday night is very bad with everyone trying to get out of town for the weekend. I recommend finding a place to live where you work. It may be a few dollars more, but it could take you 3+ hours a day in traffic. More if you are taking metro and buses. If you save 2 hours a day this would be like saving $150 a week or 600 a month. Plus you will enjoy it more.
2016-05-17 05:40:54 · answer #3 · answered by anika 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your 7 hour layover will get eaten up quickly. Allow 1 hour to and from the airport, so now it's 5. Allow getting to the airport at least 1 hour if not more. So now it's down to under 4.
You can waist a lot of time in traffic so pick one or two places to go. Forget the capital or white house; even if you can get it the lines are long. GO TO THE SMITHSONIAN.. it's on the Mall and you get easily walk to several of the buildings (Air and Space Museum, Main building (you can see Dorothy's slippers, etc).). It could take you over an hour from IAD each way, so watch out for the rush hour.
2007-09-23 09:51:19 · answer #4 · answered by Michael K 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
First off, you'll have to watch your time because of the traffic getting in and out of the airport.
Cab fairs are high also.
But if you'd really like something to do, take a cab or bus to what's called "The Mall".
If the weather is nice, you can walk around.
You have the Capital, Museums, The Washington Monument, the wadding pool and the Lincoln Memorial, (in that order crossing over the 14th street bridge from the right to the left.
There are plenty of bench's to sit down and just people watch and you could grab something to eat at the Wash. Monument.
I'm sure what "day of the week or the time" you'll be in DC, you might want to add that part.
So, I'm just assuming you will be there during the day, while everthing is open.
Have fun, there is so much to do, I'm just trying to keep you close to the airport, all you pretty much have to do is go a few miles onto 95N, and once you cross over the 14th Street Bridge, you are there.
2007-09-23 09:48:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Smithsonian Museum has put a major museum out near Dulles that features airplanes from the National Air and Space Museum, the most visited museum in the world. That should be something you can do on your layover - it's not far to travel, and it should be interesting and well done.
2007-09-25 19:21:21 · answer #6 · answered by Katherine W 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take the subway to the train station, newly rebuilt with shops, restaurants, and subway connections. Especially at rush hour, you can observe professional prostitutes preying on their kill, the innocent men commuting home to the suburbs, in stiletto heels and outlandish outfits...
2007-09-29 09:02:58 · answer #7 · answered by Chatty82 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Take a walk around the mall. i went on a clss trip and we spent bout four days there. My favorite sights were the lincon memorial and the washington monument.
2007-09-23 09:39:53 · answer #8 · answered by apple513 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Go to the National Holocaust Museum.
Never been, but I've heard its good.
2007-09-23 09:35:21 · answer #9 · answered by Jenna F 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If I were you i would go and see the sights. the white house, pentagon, capital building. Also if you can't leave the airport, you can always get gifts for your family
2007-09-23 09:36:00 · answer #10 · answered by Bklugs. 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋