Iad reserve bus
 

Thinking about a base transfer from EWR (FO) and would like to get some pros & cons. I would have a small improvement of seniority and a shorter commute from CLT. In particular, how is the public transport between IAD & DCA? SC from IAD to BWI? Any other gotchas? Thx

IAD to DCA is kind of a pain but doable. There's the silver line express bus that leaves IAD every 15 min and takes you to the last stop of the silver line. Then you have to take that into the city and change trains to the line that goes to DCA (can't remember the stops or lines but the DC metro is really easy). All in all it takes a minimum of 1.5 hours based on timing of trains etc. There is also the 5a bus that takes you from IAD directly to either Rosslyn or L'Enant Plaza metro stations where you can catch the metro to DCA. This route is a few dollars more and can be quicker depending on time of day and year. Sometimes the 5a only runs once per hour so if you just miss it, the silver line express is faster, but timed right the 5A is faster. The other issue is early mornings and late nights. Don't have it memorized but during the one month I was there I had to Uber once because the metro wasn't running yet.... As far as BWI, there is no good way that I know of to get there. Im sure there's a way between different buses but you're probably looking at hours. I had a commuter flight divert to BWI and ended up getting a one way car rental for $25 and it still took me an hour without any traffic. I only had to do it once so someone may know a better way. I'm not on the bus so I don't know how many trips are out there.

silver line
 

Supposedly in 2019 the silver line will extend to Dulles. That would be huge! As for BWI--there is a metro bus that connects the metro line on the NE side of DC to BWI--similar to the silver bus to Dulles.

I think the train line that runs to/from DCA is closed for repairs right now. Not sure how long it is supposed to last.

The green line is back up and running. Regarding BWI, Amtrak from Union Station takes about 25 minutes

I can't remember, is it the Green line or the Gun line?

I believe you are thinking of the Gunsmoke (Greenspoint) Mall down in Houston. :D Great place to hang out during guppy training.

My little reserve loving friend ;), each city has it's own special place of endearment and the Gun line in DC is one of them.