Finally! Rail service from DC to Washington Dulles to begin Nov. 15
At long last, passengers flying from the Washington, D.C.-area's biggest international airport will have a direct rail link to the city.
With weeks until the Thanksgiving travel season commences, the Washington area’s Metrorail system is set to open its much-anticipated extension into Dulles International Airport (IAD) on Nov. 15, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced Monday.
Dulles, which is a hub for United Airlines and has seen its surrounding area transform in recent decades into a major tech corridor, will now have direct access to Washington through the Silver Line expansion.
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Passengers will be able to access the trains via an underground tunnel connected to the airport’s baggage claim area, which is accessible to all departing and arriving flyers. Historically, pricey car services from Dulles to downtown Washington faced debilitating traffic during peak hours that could cost upward of $60. Straddled between Virginia's Fairfax and Loudoun counties, Dulles is approximately 28 miles away from downtown Washington.
The 11 1/2-mile, $3 billion extension will give the Northern Virginia suburbs six new Silver Line stations, completing the final phase of the 23-mile expansion project that started in 2009. Besides Dulles, these stations are Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Loudoun Gateway and Ashburn.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has been served by public rail transportation for years, but that close-to-downtown airport primarily serves short domestic flights. Even at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) — often considered one of the metro area’s three airports — flyers can take an airport shuttle bus to catch an Amtrak train or commuter rail service into downtown Washington. BWI also has a light rail connection to downtown Baltimore. But it’s at Dulles where the Silver Line extension will change the public transit map of the region’s three big airports, giving passengers a new downtown rail option at the airport with the bulk of the region’s international and cross-country flights.
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The long-awaited announcement that the Silver Line extension into Dulles will open comes after facing years of delays. Initially set to open in 2018, the final phase of the expansion into Dulles had been marred by years of cost overruns and criminal charges against contractors who falsified records about defective concrete panels. Ultimately, the federal civil suit for the case against the company involved in the incident resulted in a $1 million settlement.
Even in October — just weeks before Metro announced an opening date for the final stretch of the expansion — the agency sparred with the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission after it rejected Metro’s request to return more 7000-series trains, a newer model, to service, according to The Washington Post.
The commission cited safety concerns with the 7000 series, which had already led to a one-year suspension of the newer trains after one of those models derailed on the Blue Line near Arlington Cemetery in October 2021. The suspension subsequently caused Metro to face a train shortage, which had been exacerbated by increasing travel demand. Metro has since been scrambling to fully regain its fleet, according to The Washington Post.
Consequently, Metro executives feared that there wouldn’t be enough trains to fulfill the demand for the new Silver Line extension into Dulles in time for Thanksgiving travel.
The commission and Metro ultimately reached a compromise to phase back in more of the newer trains. However, the Silver Line still awaits certification from the safety commission.
“Metro continues to work on a short list of items that we are coordinating daily with the [safety commission],” Metro said. “We appreciate their collaboration and expect to finalize safety certification before we open for passenger service.”
The first phase of this project was completed in 2014, which added new stations in Fairfax County. The second phase included additional stations in this county, along with new ones in Loudoun County, marking Metrorail’s first foray into another one of Virginia's most populous areas.
With the Nov. 15 opening, Dulles will now join the ranks of major U.S. airports with a direct rail connection that whisks passengers directly to downtown areas without the hassle of traffic. Some of these direct rail connections have opened within the past decade: The A Line, which connects Denver International Airport (DEN) to downtown Denver, was unveiled in 2016.
Related: What's the fastest way to O'Hare in Chicago?
A lack of direct public transportation access to cities has plagued many airports for years — LaGuardia Airport (LGA), for example, notoriously lacks a direct public transportation option. Passengers have to instead take a bus from the airport and then connect to a subway or another bus.
Metro workers will hand out commemorative pennants to passengers taking the train from Dulles and the other new stations in Northern Virginia on Nov. 15, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1976 when the first Metro station opened.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.