Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Washington Dulles Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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I didn’t get a wink of sleep, but I saved a lot of $$$$. – Paul
IAD Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Washington Dulles Airport.
What to Expect
Washington Dulles Airport (code: IAD) is a busy and often crowded airport, with a main terminal and two concourses (A/B and C/D), connected by the AeroTrain, a shuttle and walkways. Reviewers generally suggest Concourse B is the nicest area of the airport, with the best shops and restaurants. That said, if you’re looking for food 24 hours a day, your only options (post-Covid) are currently only before security. While amenities and services are limited, the free WiFi should help pass the time. For added comfort while you wait, economy class passengers can pay to access one of the airport lounges. See guide below for locations and access information.
Sleeping in Dulles Airport
Landside reviewers say that all seats have armrests and that it’s particularly cold and noisy, making it worthwhile to clear security before your nap. That said, while Dulles Airport is technically open 24 hours, the security checkpoints close for the evening, around 10:00 PM. If you arrive after the checkpoints are closed, you’ll have to stay the night in the public, landside areas until checkpoints open around 4:00 AM.
If you’re lucky enough to sleep airside, especially overnight, you’ll want to head to Concourses C and D for the most armrest-free seating and plenty of unused gates that offer quiet. Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- Gates C20 and D1 are quiet at night.
- Try accessing the seats and benches inside cafes that are closed for the night.
Cool temperatures and noise are common complaints on both sides of security. A blanket, layers, and earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones will go a long way in improving the quality of your sleep.
If you’re looking for uninterrupted sleep, there are nearby airport hotels connected by free airport shuttles.
Read the latest traveller reviews for more tips or click here to add your own.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Washington Dulles Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Keep in mind that airline check-in and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the terminal’s public area (landside), you will not be able to get through to the terminal’s secure area (airside) until the morning. The TSA security screening checkpoint hours vary according to location:
- East Checkpoint: 3:45 AM – 10:30 PM
- West Checkpoint: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM – 7:00 PM.
- TSA Pre✓™: 4:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Dulles Airport Hotels & Sleep Pods
Quick Facts
Nearest Hotel: Inside the Airport
Sleep Cabins or Pods: No
Day Rooms: Yes
Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes
When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair gives you nightmares, there is good news for those who are looking to sleep at Washington Dulles Airport in comfort. If you are on a layover, the Sleepbox Lounge provides sleep cabins that can be booked for short-term and overnight stays. Off-site, there are nearby hotels within a 10-minute drive that provide free airport shuttles.
Hotels near Dulles Airport with free shuttles
For airport pick-up, use the courtesy phone in the baggage claim area.
- Washington Dulles Airport Marriott » Check Rates
- Westin Washington Dulles Airport » Check Rates
- Candlewood Suites Washington-Dulles Herndon » Check Rates
- Sonesta ES Suites Dulles Airport » Check Rates
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Dulles Int’l Airport » Check Rates
- Best Western Dulles Airport Inn » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Dulles Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- Air France – KLM Lounge – Location: Midfield Terminal, Airside, Concourse A, opposite Gate A22. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- British Airways Galleries Lounge – Location: Midfield Terminal, Airside, Concourse B. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- Turkish Airlines Lounge – Location: Concourse B, Airside, next to Gate B43. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs. » Buy a Lounge Pass
- United Club – Multiple Locations – (3) Concourse C and (1) Concourse D. Lounge Access: Pay at the door with proof of United Airlines ticket • United Club Membership.
- Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse – Location: Concourse A, Airside, near Gate A32. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
Airline Lounges
If you are a First- or Business-Class traveller, you may have access to the lounges listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.
- Lufthansa Business Lounge – Location: Midfield Terminal, Concourse B, near Gates B49 – B51. Lounge Access: First Class, Business Class, HON Circle Member, Senator, Frequent Traveller and Star Alliance Gold membership.
- Etihad Airways Lounge – Temporarily Closed.
Military Lounge
USO Lounge – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Main Terminal, Arrivals Level, across from Baggage Claims 11 and 12.
Related Pages: Washington Dulles Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
A reader tells us that most, if not all, of the water fountains have water bottle refill stations. (June 2024)
Food & Drinks
There are more than 30 food and beverage concessions at the airport. Here are the dining options that are open 24 hours:
- Landside – Washingtonian News and vending machines.
- Airside – vending machines.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
Free charging stations are throughout the gated areas and in the International Arrivals area. Additional charging stations can be found at the B Gates food court near Gate B73 and in the C and D Concourses. Restaurants also allow the use of their outlets if you eat or drink at the establishment.
Showers
Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Showers can be found in the Air France-KLM and British Airways Lounges. [ see Airport Lounges above ]
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Dulles Airport. Connect to the “FlyDulles” network. An email and postal/zip code are required to log in. International visitors can enter “YES” in the postal/zip code field to continue.
Security & Safety
Airport staff have no issue with overnight campers, particularly in the airside areas.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Washington Dulles Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s essential to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Please don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who awoke without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay sharp, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
More Airport Information
Baggage Carts – Need help with your luggage? Smarte Carte offers luggage carts for rent. You can pay using cash or credit cards. Carts are free of charge to passengers arriving on international flights in the International Arrivals area.
Chapel – The airport’s interfaith chapel is a quiet and peaceful environment where you can collect your thoughts. The Airport Chaplaincy provides basic pastoral care to passengers and airport and airline staff. Jewish, Christian, and Muslim prayer services and Catholic Mass are offered. Location: Concourse A, airside, Gate A32 Hours: Open 24 hours.
Electric Vehicle Charging – available free of charge. Standard parking rates apply.
Family Services
- Baby Care Facilities – Nursing rooms provide a secure and private environment with comfortable seating, power outlets and more. Locations:
- Landside – Main Terminal, across from Baggage Claims 2/6/11/14
- Airside – Gates A20, B70 (has a restroom), C11 (has a sink) and D1.
- Children’s Play Area – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to the children’s play area. The “Funway” includes airplane-themed elements to climb and slide on, an interactive game system with over 100 games and parents can stay connected and charge their mobiles while watching the kids. Location: Airside, Gate B70.
Information Desk – Information desks are available at several locations throughout the airport. Hours: unknown.
- Landside – Baggage Claim 6 • Baggage Claim 11 • Baggage Claim 14
- Airside – Just beyond security • Near Gate A15 • Near Gate B62 • Near Gate C17 • Near Gate D16.
- In addition to dedicated information desks, you will see Airport Ambassadors roaming the airports.
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs operated by Capital One are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.
- Banking Services – Capitol One Bank offers full banking services. Location: Landside, near Baggage Carousel 5. Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Mon – Fri) and 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Sat).
- Currency Exchange – ICE Currency Exchange offers multiple locations, both landside and airside. Hours: vary by location, with most opening by 7:00 AM and closing by 9:30 PM.
Pet Relief – The airport provides dedicated areas if you are travelling with your pet. Locations:
- Landside – Door 16, United Airlines counter • Door 1, near AeroMexico counter • Arrivals Level, Baggage Claim, near carousel 1.
- Airside – Gate A32 and Gate D1.
Shopping – Duty-Free Americas has several stores at the airport. Locations: Gate A32 • B63 • Gate C4 • Gate D12. Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Smoking – Smoking lounges are near gates B37, B73, C2 and D30.
Traveler’s Aid – Traveler’s Aid is a non-profit organization that assists stranded and distressed passengers. Volunteers assist passengers with general airport and destination queries, such as transportation assistance, lost or stolen money, wiring money, emergency housing, etc. Locations:
- Landside – Baggage Claim, adjacent to carousel # 6 • Baggage Claim, adjacent to carousel # 11 • Baggage Claim, adjacent to carousel # 14 • Departures Level (Ticketing), Two kiosks along the front of the terminal.
- Airside – Concourse A, near A15 • Concourse B, near B62 • Concourse C, C17 • Concourse D, D16.
Car Rentals
The following agencies provide on-site car rental service: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Sixt • Thrifty.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels offer airport shuttle service: Best Western Dulles Airport Inn • Comfort Inn & Suites Airport Dulles-Gateway • Embassy Suites by Hilton Dulles Airport • Fairfield Inn & Suites Dulles Airport • Hilton Washington Dulles Airport • Hyatt Dulles at Dulles International Airport • Hyatt House Sterling/Dulles Airport-North • Hyatt Place Herndon / Dulles Airport – East • Sheraton Herndon Dulles Airport Hotel • The Westin Washington Dulles Airport • TownePlace Suites Washington Dulles Airport • Washington Dulles Airport Marriott.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Inter-Terminal Train
Aerotrain – Automated trains move passengers between the terminal and the midfield (A, B, and C) gates for domestic and international departing flights and domestic arriving flights. The travel time between stations is less than 2 minutes.
MetroRail
The Silver Line Metrorail opened in November 2022. The station is a 5-minute walk via an underground pedestrian tunnel to the arrivals level in the airport terminal. Fare: Depends on the time of day and distance travelled. The maximum fare is $6 on weekdays. Fares drop to a flat $2 after 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends. Hours of operation: 5:00 AM – 12:00 (Mon – Thurs) • 5:00 AM – 1:00 AM (Fri) • 7:00 AM – 1:00 AM (Sat) • 7:00 AM – 12:00 AM (Sun). Visit the Metrorail website for more information.
Ride App
A dedicated pick-up curb for ride-app passengers (Uber, Lyft and ALTO) is on the ground level outside the Baggage Claim. Accessible via Doors 2, 4 and 6.
Shared-ride Van
SuperShuttle and Supreme Airport Shuttle offer 24-hour shared transfer service from the airport to your destination of choice. No prior reservation is required. The shuttles can be found down the ramps from the Arrivals Doors 2 or 7 at the Dulles Airport Ground Transportation Center.
Taxi
Washington Flyer Taxicabs provide 24-hour service exclusively between the airport and the DC metropolitan area. Reservations are not required for service from the airport but are highly recommended for service to the airport. Cash, credit cards and airline-issued vouchers are accepted as payment. Taxis are on the lower level outside Doors 2 or 6.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.