Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) sits about 26 miles west of downtown DC in Loudoun County, Virginia, and serves as the region’s main hub for international and long-haul flights.
A Landmark Terminal
Dulles’ main terminal, designed by architect Eero Saarinen and opened in 1962, remains one of the most recognizable pieces of airport architecture in the country, its sweeping roofline still drawing attention from first-time visitors.
Metro Now Reaches Dulles
The Silver Line’s extension to Dulles opened in 2022, giving the airport a direct Metro connection to downtown DC for the first time, a real change from the decades when a bus or car was the only practical option.
United’s Regional Hub
United Airlines operates its largest DC-area hub from Dulles, with a route network that includes considerably more international destinations than DCA offers.
IAD vs. DCA vs. BWI
Choose Dulles for international connections or United’s network. DCA is faster into downtown for a short domestic hop. BWI is worth checking if Southwest flies your route.
Search live fares into IAD above.