Three major airports serve the Washington area: Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), and Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI). Both IAD and DCA provide metro access. DCA is the closest to Georgetown University, while Dulles is the largest and has the most flights, especially for international travelers. BWI Airport is the farthest from DC (it is closer to Baltimore), but some airlines offer cheaper fares there.
All three airports have taxi services available at Ground Transportation and SuperShuttle, a door-to-door shared van-ride system. Check the SuperShuttle website for fares and for the location of the SuperShuttle within the airport. No reservation is needed for leaving from the airport. To take SuperShuttle back to the airport, reserve online or call 1-800-BLUE-VAN (800-258-3826). Below are estimated fares for dates nearing our conference:
From DCA
Minimally $116 for up to 2 passengers; minimally $215 for up to 5 passengers
From IAD
Minimally $175 for up to 2 passengers; minimally $200 for up to 5 passengers.
From BWI
Minimally $94 for up to 3 passengers; minimally $260 for up to 5 passengers.
Ride services like Uber and Lyft are also widely used here and can offer better rates than the ones listed above.
MetroBus 5A ($7) is an express bus from Dulles Airport to Rosslyn MetroRail Station and L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station (downtown DC). The bus leaves right outside the airport on the lower level (in Section E). To get to Georgetown University, get off the 5A at Rosslyn Metro stop, the nearest metro stop to Georgetown. From Rosslyn, taxis, Uber/Lyft, and buses (GUTS, DC Circulator, or MetroBus 38B) will take you to Georgetown. Alternatively, you can walk across Key Bridge and reach Georgetown University’s main campus in 15 minutes.
Washington Flyer Coach is a coach bus to West Falls Church Metro Station (Orange Line). Their ticket counter is on the upper level, Door 4. Regular fare is approximately $10. Once you arrive at West Falls Church Metro Station, take the Orange Line (direction: New Carrollton) to Rosslyn. From Rosslyn, there are buses and taxis (as suggested above) that take you to Georgetown.
Silver Line Express is a shuttle service between Washington Dulles International Airport and the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station (a 15-minute trip). Tickets for the Silver Line Express are $5 one-way and can be purchased at the ticket counter located inside the vestibule of Door 4 on the Arrivals Level of the Main Terminal. From the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station, take the Metro Silver Line to Rosslyn station (about 30 minutes). On your return trip, passengers boarding at Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station can purchase their Silver Line Express fare when they arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport.
MetroRail’s Blue Line stops adjacent to Terminals B and C at National Airport. Take the Blue Line to Rosslyn (direction: Largo Town Center). From Rosslyn, buses (GUTS or MetroBus 38B) and taxis will take you to the Georgetown area. Alternatively, you can walk across Key Bridge and reach Georgetown University’s main campus in 15 minutes.
MetroBus B30 ($7) runs between BWI and the Greenbelt Metro station (Green Line). There are two bus stops at BWI. One stop is on the lower level of the International Pier and the other is on the lower level of Concourse A/B. From Greenbelt Metro station, take the Green Line downtown. Change to the Orange or Blue line at L’Enfant Plaza (direction: Vienna on the Orange; Franconia/Springfield on the Blue) if you want to continue to Rosslyn, or change to the Red Line at Gallery Place/ Chinatown (direction: Shady Grove) if you want to continue to Dupont Circle. From Rosslyn, buses (GUTS (free), DC Circulator, or MetroBus 38B) or Dupont Circle (GUTS (Dupont Circle), DC Circulator, or MetroBus G2), taxis, Uber/Lyft rides will take you to the Georgetown area.
The Penn Line of the Maryland Transit Authority (MTA) MARC trains runs from BWI to Union Station in DC. Fares are around $8. Check the MTA website for price updates and instructions for getting to the train stop. From Union Station, take the DC Circulator straight to Georgetown. Alternatively, take the Red Line to Dupont Circle (in the direction of Shady Grove) and catch a cab or bus (GUTS (Dupont Circle) or MetroBus D2, G2, D6) from there.
Amtrak trains take you from BWI train station to Union Station in downtown DC. There are free shuttles from the airport to the BWI train station. For Amtrak schedules and information call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) or go to their website. The fare varies and will increase as your departure nears. The cheapest options from now begin at $6 (check their website for price updates).
By Train
Trains from around the US arrive directly downtown at Union Station. Amtrak runs the largest passenger rail. However, if you are coming from Virginia or Maryland, consider commuter rails, as they tend to be much less expensive and are very reliable. The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) runs from Fredericksburg and Manassas on the weekdays and has stops in Alexandria, VA and downtown DC. Note that they are unidirectional with commuter traffic and do not operate on weekends. MARC trains from Maryland to DC now offer a weekend service in addition to weekday service. To get from Union Station to Georgetown, you can take a taxi or the DC Circulator bus straight to Georgetown. Alternatively, take the Metro Red Line in the direction of Shady Grove to Dupont Circle. From Dupont Circle, buses (GUTS (Dupont Circle), DC Circulator, or MetroBus G2), taxis, and Uber/Lyft will take you to the Georgetown area.
By Car
If you are planning to commute to the conference by car, there is street parking near campus available, but the parking limit is generally two hours. Georgetown also has a parking garage. For more information, see about parking and driving.
