As a DC resident that flys out of IAD very often, the airport being connected to the metro last year can't be understated in terms of cost-savings and saving time during rush hour.
DC native here---during rush hour (6am-9am and 3 pm-7pm), do not underestimate the traffic, especially on 66 and the Dulles Toll Road, which are the two main roads out to IAD. During rush hour, Metro is often the fastest and easiest way, even if it is a bit of a hassle with luggage.
Native WDC since the 60s. Metro to Dulles and National airports are the easiest travel methods in my opinion. Traffic in Metro DC is very unreliable. A 30 minute drive from Fairfax to DC can quickly become 1.5 hours and that’s not uncommon at all.
This was great! I think someone else pointed out the cost savings, but I also want to mention the difference in time (20 mins) at non-rush hour. Honestly I take the metro based on the price, but I don't think there's enough of a time difference to justify the taxi/uber unless you've got more than 2-3 pieces of luggage.
Or 2$ on the weekends like I experienced last April going back and forth with metro. Who cares that it takes maybe 15-30 minutes extra? That saved me > 100$ on my trip to DC.
I live in DC. This is not true. You have to buy a physical Smartrip card. Once you have it, you can add it to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay, but you cannot use a contactless credit card at the faregates.
1 hour 25 minutes is extremely long for that trip on the Silver Line. Assuming you have the Metrocard on your phone (which is what I recommend, by the way) and you're a local, you can make the trip in under an hour without having to figure out where to go. Definitely still slower than driving during non-rush hour (though not terrible), but during rush hour, you have to deal with I-66 tolls and traffic, so Metro is definitely the way to go. They also aren't that crowded as long as you stay on the end carriages.
Not gonna lie… that video took a turn when Madison took an Uber… the video says ‘Taxi vs Train’, least y’all could’ve done was say Uber vs train. As far as being a former Washingtonian, taxis and traffic are hit or miss. Also with it being summer, they had to have left around 800pm, because it was definitely dark by the time they reached Dulles, and 800pm, is usually the tail end of rush hour
I think WMATA should've built an express track for faster service to the airport. Having to stop at each and every stop is not optimal. Imagine having to travel from Maryland....
If the rail project was done from scratch, it would make more sense to build a commuter line. IAD is too far from downtown to be served efficiently with a subway line.
When we flew from Dulles internationally, we thought the same things. We debated on taking the Metro, but we would have had to transfer in the middle of DC since we would have gotten on the Orange Line at New Carrollton. But at the same time we were hitting rush hour on the way back. It was a damned if you do, damned if you don’t moment
The times I have tried order an Uber in DC during rush hour, it took 20 minutes or longer just for the cub to arrive. So I have some doubts about this race.
Checkout Nicky and Liam's London budget adventure on "The Points Guy Arrivals" channel:
ua-cam.com/video/5-oYXr0q680/v-deo.html
As a DC resident that flys out of IAD very often, the airport being connected to the metro last year can't be understated in terms of cost-savings and saving time during rush hour.
DC native here---during rush hour (6am-9am and 3 pm-7pm), do not underestimate the traffic, especially on 66 and the Dulles Toll Road, which are the two main roads out to IAD. During rush hour, Metro is often the fastest and easiest way, even if it is a bit of a hassle with luggage.
"The subway is tiny and packed". As a rush hour user of the London Underground, that looked like bliss to me😅!
Yeah was gonna say the same thing lol
Even as someone from NYC, DC's metro is so much better lol
Native WDC since the 60s. Metro to Dulles and National airports are the easiest travel methods in my opinion. Traffic in Metro DC is very unreliable. A 30 minute drive from Fairfax to DC can quickly become 1.5 hours and that’s not uncommon at all.
The D.C. metro is extremely clean from the years I have used it, especially compared to NYC. I am frankly shocked he said it wasn't.
This was great! I think someone else pointed out the cost savings, but I also want to mention the difference in time (20 mins) at non-rush hour. Honestly I take the metro based on the price, but I don't think there's enough of a time difference to justify the taxi/uber unless you've got more than 2-3 pieces of luggage.
Taking a DC cab will be substantially more expensive than Uber or Lyft, because they can't pick up a return fare from Dulles
the real answer is $6 vs $66 , i take metro any day
Or 2$ on the weekends like I experienced last April going back and forth with metro. Who cares that it takes maybe 15-30 minutes extra? That saved me > 100$ on my trip to DC.
Yeah $60 isn't exactly chump change for a lot of people, especially when it only saved 20 minutes.
If you are used to the Metro and have little to no luggage, I much prefer the Metro, especially if you are flying in/out of DCA.
He didn't need to buy a card, anyone with a smartphone can just use a payment app.
I live in DC. This is not true. You have to buy a physical Smartrip card. Once you have it, you can add it to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay, but you cannot use a contactless credit card at the faregates.
Still need to buy physical card and add to phone
I miss DC!! I enjoyed the Train system mainly because it serviced all the places I needed to be at.
I think Taipei has the cleanest subway system.
1 hour 25 minutes is extremely long for that trip on the Silver Line. Assuming you have the Metrocard on your phone (which is what I recommend, by the way) and you're a local, you can make the trip in under an hour without having to figure out where to go. Definitely still slower than driving during non-rush hour (though not terrible), but during rush hour, you have to deal with I-66 tolls and traffic, so Metro is definitely the way to go. They also aren't that crowded as long as you stay on the end carriages.
But an Uber isn’t a DC taxi, right? So kinda cheating
Not gonna lie… that video took a turn when Madison took an Uber… the video says ‘Taxi vs Train’, least y’all could’ve done was say Uber vs train. As far as being a former Washingtonian, taxis and traffic are hit or miss. Also with it being summer, they had to have left around 800pm, because it was definitely dark by the time they reached Dulles, and 800pm, is usually the tail end of rush hour
They probably filmed this earlier in the year!
Idc what anyone says: Marc and Madison are awesome 👏🏽
I think WMATA should've built an express track for faster service to the airport. Having to stop at each and every stop is not optimal. Imagine having to travel from Maryland....
If the rail project was done from scratch, it would make more sense to build a commuter line. IAD is too far from downtown to be served efficiently with a subway line.
When we flew from Dulles internationally, we thought the same things. We debated on taking the Metro, but we would have had to transfer in the middle of DC since we would have gotten on the Orange Line at New Carrollton. But at the same time we were hitting rush hour on the way back. It was a damned if you do, damned if you don’t moment
There are 3 airports in the greater DC area. BWI would be closer and more convenient for Maryland in most circumstances.
The times I have tried order an Uber in DC during rush hour, it took 20 minutes or longer just for the cub to arrive. So I have some doubts about this race.
Late comment but, I love these two. Feels so more real (I'm not love everyone on this channel ) but yeah
How long did each mode take door to door?
Now do a race from Reagan National Airport to Washington Dulles Airport
you have to try sas all three classes!!! please
Prefer the UK content
We just released a Nicky & Liam video on our other channel The Points Guy Arrivals!
Try racing with traffic on the highway 😭
I miss Jean 😔
Now get to bwi from dulles. One takes uber the other metro and marc/ amtrak
Next time look up how to use the Metro
Love y’all’s videos, can i get a shout out?
Shoutout!
6th
First!
First comment
The points guys plus sized version
At least it's not the points guy douchebag version, becaue then it would feature you.