Washington Dulles International Airport

Washington Dulles International Airport was groundbreaking when it opened in 1962, but it feels inefficient and dated by today's airport standards. Built on farmland 26 miles west of Washington, D.C. in northern Virginia, Dulles was the first U.S. airport specifically built for commercial jet aircraft. Its distinctive terminal is a sweeping structure of glass and concrete, yet the drab and awkward interior doesn't live up to its striking exterior. Passengers connect from the main terminal to the concourses on the euphemistically named "mobile lounges," which are actually elevated and extra-wide buses. The mobile lounges will be replaced by a much-anticipated automated airport train system in the near future. The airport is a major international and domestic gateway served by 15 major domestic airlines, 8 regional airlines and 20 major international airlines. Travelers can easily reach over 35 foreign destinations and 68 U.S. cities from the airport. The airport itself is not as easy to reach given the limited public transportation options - most travelers without cars have to opt for an expensive cab ride to downtown D.C.

• Attraction Type: Airports

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