Things to do at Washington Dulles International Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport, also referred to as simply Dulles Airport, is an international airport in Virginia, 26 miles (42 km) west of downtown Washington, D.C. Dulles is one of the three major airports in the larger Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area with more than 24 million passengers a year.
Whether you only have an hour to spare before your flight or you are spending at long layover at the airport, Washington Dulles International Airport has an option for you.
Things to do at IAD
Relax in the Air France KLM Lounge
A great way to upgrade your airport experience is spending your time in relaxing in an airport lounge. Sanctifly has one lounge partner at Washington Dulles Airport. Premium members can use points to access the Air France KLM Lounge in the Main Terminal. Enjoy comfortable seating, Wi-Fi access in a peaceful oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the airport terminal. Maximum stay is 2 hours. Open daily from 13:30 – 20:00.
Located after security on Concourse A, opposite Gate A22.
Buy Sanctifly today to gain access to 4000+ lounge, wellness, fitness and relaxation options at 200 airports.
Don’t let travel stress get you down. Spend your airport downtime relaxing and pampering yourself with a trip to Be Relax spa. Whether you have 15 minutes or 1 hour to spare, choose from a wide range of treatment options at Be Relax airport spa. Located in the airport terminal, the airport spa is the perfect place to make the most of your airport downtime and upgrade your travel experience.
There are two Be Relax spas at the airport, one on Concourse A and one on Concourse B.
Free things to do at IAD
Meditate in the Interfaith Chapel
A great way to get away from the chaos of the main terminal is to spend some time in the Prayer Room. Most airports will have multi faith prayer rooms available for traveling passengers. These are open, inviting spaces where guests are encouraged to be quiet and respectful and take some time for reflection. Choose one of our guided meditation videos, which you can find over on the ‘Videos’ tab and use your airport downtime to relax and centre yourself. Open 24 hours.
Located after security on Concourse A, near Gate A32.
TOP TIP: Washington Dulles Airport offers free Wi-Fi to passengers. The network is called ‘FlyDulles’. You will need to enter your email address to access the network.
Best Eats at IAD
Quick Bite – Dulles Gourmet Market
Grab a quick bite at Dulles Gourmet Market. Enjoy sandwiches and salads, made-to-order or grab & go, along with gourmet snacks. Open 24 hours, the Dulles Gourmet Market is a quick, healthy and convenient spot for anyone passing through the airport.
Sit Down Meal – Bistro Atelier
Enjoy classic French cuisine from breakfast, lunch or dinner at the airport. This 135-seat bistro offers a full dining experience in the terminal and will leave you feeling full and satisfied as you continue your journey. Located on concourse D, near Gate D14. The restaurant is open from 06:00 – 22:00. There is a grab and go option that is open 24 hours.
Luggage storage at IAD
As with most airport in the US, there are no luggage storage facilities available at Washington Dulles Airport. If you have layover at IAD and want to store your luggage try these options:
Ask at the airport information desk for recommendations on nearby luggage storage facilities.
If you are heading downtown, check for luggage storage lockers at bus and train terminals.
Use Google to find a luggage storage service. There are lots of apps and websites that offer luggage storage options on large cities across the US.
Long Layover at BWI
Horsepen Run Stream Valley Park
Get out of the airport and spend your layover out in the fresh air with a trip to Horsepen Run Stream Valley Park. The park surrounds a stream or creek that runs through the park. You can follow along the 1.5 miles of paved trail run hat runs beside the creek and through the park. Go for an invigorating run surrounded by nature or go for a leisurely stroll and enjoy the calming sounds and beautiful scenery of Horsepen Run Stream Valley Park. Getting out of the airport, away from the chaos and noise is great for your physical and mental health. If you do take the opportunity to go for a run, head back to the Air France KLM Lounge for a shower so you can continue on your journey feeling fresh.
Unfortunately, there are no luggage storage facilities at Washington Dulles Airport so you will need to check your carry on or bring it with you.
Located 5.4 miles from the airport. The quickest and easiest way to get there is by taxi. Alternatively, take the 5A bus to Herndon-Monroe Park and then the 929 bus from Herndon-Monroe P&R to Centreville Rd and Clear Lake Ct. This will leave you approx. 13 minutes’ walk from the entrance to the park.
Discover the wonder of air and space travel with a trip to the National Air & Space Museum. Two large hangars display thousands of aviation and space artefacts. Digital guides are available to rent at the museum. Get out of the airport and spend an afternoon exploring and learning about air and space travel. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is part of the National Air & Space Museum along with the Museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Open daily from 10:00 – 17:00. Admission is free.
Located 5.2 miles from the airport. The quickest and easiest way to get there is by catching the Dulles 2 Dulles Connector to the National Air and Space Museum. You can catch the bus from the Dulles Airport Main Terminal.
If you have a longer layover at Washington Dulles Airport, why not take the opportunity to visit Washington DC? The capitol city is located 27.3 miles from the airport so make sure you leave enough time to get back to the airport and through security before your next flight. Washington DC is a historic city in the US. Spend the day exploring Freedom Plaza, the Lincoln memorial and stop by the White House to see the iconic home of the President of the United States. As the airport is located quite a way outside of the city there are no direct public transport links from the airport to downtown. See transport options below for more information.
Transport Options
Bus: The Silver Line Express bus service connects Washington Dulles Airport with the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station. From there you can catch the Silver Line rail service which will take you to downtown Washington DC. There are a number of other bus routes that stop at the airport and will take you to surrounding areas.
Inter-Terminal: The AeroTrain is an automated train system that connects passengers at Washington Dulles Airport between the Terminal and the Gate The Terminal station is located just beyond the TSA security screening checkpoints.
Overnight Layover at IAD
If you have an overnight layover at Dulles airport and don’t want to leave the terminal to get a good night’s rest, head for Sleepbox Lounge. The lounge features 16 comfortable, sound-proof rooms where travelers can relax and get some sleep. Each room comes with an XL twin bed, pull-out desk and reading lamp so that you can truly relax and enjoy your layover. Minimum booking is for one hour so even if you just need a quick nap to freshen up, Sleepbox Lounge is a great option for you. Rooms cost $24/hour.
Located on the Mezzanine level, between gates A6 and A14, near the AeroTrain in Concourse A.
We want to hear from you.
If you know of any wellness options within 5 miles of any airport let us know.
Join the Club!
Become a Sanctifly members and get access to 4000+ wellness locations at over 200 international airports including JFK. Access airport executive lounges, airport gyms, pools and spas when you are a Sanctifly member. Make the most of your airport downtime and make healthy choices on your next trip.