IAD to Homewood Suites by Metro

Question

Hi, i will be arriving at IAD on this coming Saturday at 11am. As I only have a small suitcase with me, I was thinking of taking the metro to Homewood Suites hotel along New York Avenue Northwest.

Can I check how do I go about getting the ticket and as I will be in Washington for one week and will use the Metro every day, is there a store value card I can purchase?

Any advice is much appreciated.

Answer

Traveling from Dulles Airport (IAD) to Homewood Suites on New York Avenue NW using the Metro is straightforward, even with a small suitcase. Here’s a detailed guide for your trip and using Metro during your week-long stay.

Getting from IAD to the Metro:

Dulles Airport is not directly served by the Washington Metro subway. You will first need to take the Silver Line Express Bus from IAD to Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station. This bus runs frequently and takes about 15–20 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at the airport ticket machines or via a SmarTrip card.
At Wiehle-Reston East, board the Silver Line Metro toward Largo Town Center. You will travel into DC and transfer as needed.
For Homewood Suites on New York Avenue NW, the closest Metro station is typically McPherson Square (Orange/Blue/Silver Lines). From there, you can walk a few blocks or take a short taxi/Uber/Lyft ride to the hotel.

Purchasing tickets and using Metro for your stay:

WMATA uses SmarTrip cards for fare payment. This is a reloadable, stored-value card that can be used for Metro trains, buses, and even some regional transit. It’s the most convenient option if you plan to use the Metro every day.
You can purchase a SmarTrip card at vending machines in the Metro stations or at select retail locations. Load it with an amount suitable for your planned rides; fares are deducted automatically based on distance traveled.
If you prefer, single-trip tickets are available from vending machines at each station, but they are less convenient for a week-long stay.
Check Metro maps and the WMATA app for trip planning, schedules, and service alerts, especially on weekends.

Additional tips:

Keep your SmarTrip card handy; it allows fast entry and exit from stations and can be reloaded online or at stations.
If you have heavy luggage, note that some Metro stations have elevators or escalators, but not all. The stations mentioned above are generally accessible.
Consider using a rideshare for your first trip from McPherson Square to the hotel if you want to avoid walking with luggage.
During your week, plan for peak and off-peak hours. Metro is busiest during weekday rush hours, roughly 7–9am and 4–6pm.

In summary, take the Silver Line Express bus from IAD to Wiehle-Reston East, then the Silver Line into DC. Purchase a SmarTrip card for convenient, daily Metro use. Walking or a short rideshare from the nearest Metro station will get you to Homewood Suites efficiently and comfortably.