Columbia, MD to DCA Airport

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dtravelergirl

Columbia

posts: 2

Columbia, MD to DCA Airport

Nov 18, 2008, 8:33 PM

Hi I just moved here a few months ago and am not familiar with the public transportation system.

I will be traveling from my home in Columbia,MD (I live close to Rt 32 and Broken Land Pkwy) to Reagan Airport (on a weekday) and wondering if anyone knows how to go about that using public transportation.

Any knowledge on reliability of the transportation, fare costs, and a place to park my car-there is a park and ride next to my house? Does that help anything? is appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help!

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IrishFan

Maryland

Destination Expert

for Las Vegas, Washington DC, County Donegal, Western Ireland

posts: 28,088

reviews: 52

1. Re: Columbia, MD to DCA Airport

Nov 18, 2008, 9:28 PM

I make that drive often, but not via public transportation, which isn't the easiest from Columbia to DCA.

There are buses at the park and ride, and I see van pool vehicles there all weekend along with assorted cars, but you'd want to check the signage to make sure it's ok.

The bus can get you to downtown DC, and from there you can catch Metro to the airport. Big question being how much luggage you have, I'm not sure what they can accommodate on the commuter buses, if anything.

Other options: The Howard County Transit bus from the park/ride to a MARC station like Dorsey, and take the train from there to Union Station and then Metro to DCA.

Another option. Fork over the estimated $30 or so for a taxi to Greenbelt Metro and take Metro from there.

howardtransit.com/routes/…203.27.pdf

mtamaryland.com/services/…

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dtravelergirl

Columbia

posts: 2

2. Re: Columbia, MD to DCA Airport

Nov 18, 2008, 9:48 PM

Thanks a lot! All very helpful information

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LOTRfan

Laurel, Maryland

posts: 49

reviews: 94

3. Re: Columbia, MD to DCA Airport

Nov 24, 2008, 8:06 AM

Keep in mind that the MARC trains are commuter trains and only run in the mornings and afternoon/evenings. If you need to be at Reagan in the noon time, you might want to drive to BWI Amtrak station and take the train into Union Station from there. Trains run regularly through there to Union Station. One disadvantage of using the Amtrak station vice a MARC station is they charge for their parking. The last time I was there, they charged $9 a day. Also, the Amtrak trains are more expensive.

Big Blue Shuttle could probably take you to Reagan but, you would pay a lot more going that route. The cheapest way is probably the one other's have suggested i.e. take a MARC train to Union Station and take the Metro from there to Reagan.

Good luck on your trip.

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keagkid101

Baltimore, MD

posts: 11

4. Re: Columbia, MD to DCA Airport

Nov 28, 2008, 10:12 PM

Know the time. I live near 32 and Broken Land as well. The drive is 30-45 minutes depending on the traffic. I prefer BWI airport, which is only 20 minutes :)

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