Public Bus Service

Route 983 bus connects Dulles to Herndon and Innovation Center Metrorail

Public Bus Service at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) links the Main Terminal ground transportation level to local routes like Fairfax Connector 983, which stops at Herndon and Innovation Center Metrorail stations. Buses pick up outside Door 4 or nearby signed stops, so factor in a 5–10 minute walk from baggage claim in the Main Terminal.

Fairfax Connector Route 983 typically runs every 20–30 minutes during weekday daytime hours, with reduced frequency later at night and on weekends. The bus connects IAD to Silver Line Metro service at Innovation Center station in under 15–25 minutes, depending on traffic on VA-267. Check the current timetable before you land; last departures can be earlier than 11:00 p.m. depending on the day.

Standard local fares on Fairfax Connector are usually in the $2–$3 range per ride when paid with a SmarTrip card, with slightly higher costs if paying cash. Kids under a certain age ride free with a paying adult, per current Fairfax Connector rules. If you’re continuing into D.C. on the Silver Line, add the Metrorail fare from Innovation Center to your destination, which can run roughly $2–$6 depending on distance and time of day.

• Step 1: After arriving in concourses A, B, C, D, or Z, take the AeroTrain or mobile lounge to the Main Terminal.
• Step 2: Follow signs to “Ground Transportation” and walk to the lower level exit near Door 4.
• Step 3: Look for the marked bus stop for Fairfax Connector or other public buses serving IAD.
• Step 4: Have a SmarTrip card or exact fare ready before boarding; drivers may not make change.
• Step 5: Ride to Innovation Center Metrorail (or Herndon, depending on direction) and transfer to the Silver Line if you’re heading toward downtown D.C.

Public buses run on fixed schedules, so build at least a 15–20 minute buffer if you’re catching a specific Metro train or have a timed commitment downtown. Always check the latest Route 983 timetable and fare information on the Fairfax Connector site on the same day you travel; schedules and prices shift several times a year.