Washington Dulles International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

Dulles is about 42 km from Washington: too far from downtown for an early-morning or late-night flight. Since 2022, when the Silver Line metro reached the terminal, it has made sense to stay in Sterling or Herndon, a few minutes by free shuttle from the gates, or to choose Reston, on the same line and just 12 minutes by train from the airport, with a real neighborhood around the hotel. Those who instead want to combine the stopover with a visit to the capital can head for downtown Washington, reachable in 50-75 minutes on the Silver Line or 40-50 minutes by taxi.

Sterling, steps from the terminal

Airport area · Free hotel shuttle, 5-10 minutes to the terminals; the Silver Line doesn't reach here

Best for: For those who need to be at the gate with the tightest margin, waking up as late as possible

Pros

Just minutes by shuttle from the terminals, useful for tight connections
Several hotels run a free shuttle 24 hours a day

Cons

An office and warehouse area, little to do on foot in the evening
A car or shuttle is needed for any trip, even a short one

Recommended hotels in this area

Washington Dulles Airport Marriott: Set on the airport's perimeter, with a free shuttle every 15 minutes and an indoor pool
Holiday Inn Washington-Dulles International Airport by IHG: About 4 minutes by car from the terminals, with a free shuttle 24 hours a day and an indoor pool
Hampton Inn & Suites Washington-Dulles International Airport: A more budget-friendly option but among the best-rated in Sterling, with free shuttle and breakfast incl.

See more hotels in this area →

Herndon, a few minutes further

Airport area · Free hotel shuttle, 10-15 minutes to the terminals depending on traffic

Best for: For those who want more choice of category without getting too far from the terminals

Pros

More hotels to choose from, including a higher category than Sterling
Just minutes from Reston Town Center and the Dulles tech corridor too

Cons

A few more shuttle minutes than Sterling
An office area, quiet evenings with no neighborhood life

Recommended hotels in this area

Hyatt Regency Dulles International Airport: About 3 km from the terminals, with a free shuttle also to Reston Town Center and an indoor pool
The Westin Washington Dulles Airport: About 7 km from the terminals with a free shuttle, near the shops of Reston Town Center
Embassy Suites by Hilton Dulles Airport: Rooms with a separate living area, breakfast and evening reception incl., airport shuttle

See more hotels in this area →

Reston, on the Silver Line

Near the airport link · Reston Town Center Silver Line station, direct train to the terminal in about 12 minutes

Best for: For those who don't want to depend on shuttles and prefer a neighborhood that's lively in the evening

Pros

The same metro line as the airport, with no transfers or shuttles
The restaurants, shops and cinema of Reston Town Center within steps

Cons

Hotels further from the station still require a taxi or a short shuttle
More expensive than the budget chains in Sterling

Recommended hotels in this area

Hyatt Regency Reston: Set on the square of Reston Town Center, steps from the Silver Line station
Sheraton Reston: A renovated gym and two restaurants, a few shuttle minutes from the station and Reston Town Center

See more hotels in this area →

Downtown Washington

City centre · Silver Line to Metro Center in 50-75 minutes, or taxi/rideshare in 40-50 minutes from the terminal

Best for: For those who want to combine the stopover with a visit to the capital, with museums and institutions within walking distance

Pros

A direct Silver Line stop, with no transfers
The Smithsonian, the National Mall and the White House within walking distance

Cons

Almost an hour's travel from the terminal, by train or by car
A more touristy and expensive area than the others

Recommended hotels in this area

JW Marriott Washington, DC: Two blocks from the White House, with direct access to a shopping gallery
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC by IHG: A neoclassical building from 1840 in Penn Quarter, steps from the museums

See more hotels in this area →