Transit Options in the DC Area: 4 Ways to Get to Your Campervan Rental (Trains, Planes, Auto, and Metro)

One of the biggest advantages of renting a campervan with Vander Outdoors is how easy it is to get to your handover—even if you’re arriving from out of town without a car. Washington, DC is one of the most transit-connected cities in the country, and we’ve intentionally designed our handover options around public transportation, multimodal hubs, and sustainability.

Designed for Convenience — and Sustainability

Our handover locations are intentionally centered around public transit and multimodal hubs. This approach:

• Reduces the need for short rental car trips
• Considerably less expensive than rideshares or taxi rides
• Minimizes congestion and emissions
• Makes campervan travel accessible to visitors without cars
• Supports more sustainable travel choices

It also means less time navigating traffic—and more time enjoying the trip.

Whether you’re flying, taking the train, or arriving by Metro, there are several simple ways to reach your campervan and start your trip with minimal hassle.

Arriving by Metro

Why Metro Handovers Work so Well

• Easy Metro connections from downtown DC, airports, and Union Station
• Least expensive option to get to our standard handover location at the Huntington South metro station (southern terminus of the WMATA Metro Yellow Line).
• For example, from Dulles Airport (IAD) to the handover location, it costs under $10 (depending on time of day and distance), campared to up to $70 (Uber or Lyft) or over $100 (DC Flyer taxi).
• Multi-day parking garages at select stations
• Free garage parking on weekends and federal holidays (not associated with Vander Outdoors)
• If you depart on a weekday, you typically pay for only one day of parking
• Easy in-and-out access when you return

This setup allows you to arrive by train or plane, grab your campervan, and hit the road—without navigating downtown traffic or paying airport rental premiums.

Arriving by Air: Airport Connections (Especially DCA)

If you’re flying into the DC area, public transit makes it easy to reach your handover.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

DCA is by far the most convenient airport for campervan renters.

• Directly connected to the Metro Blue and Yellow Lines
• Located just minutes from downtown DC
• No transfers required to reach many Metro-based handover locations
• Only 5 stops and 15 minutes from the handover location!

In many cases, you can land at DCA, hop on the Metro, and be at your handover station within an hour.

Dulles International Airport (IAD)

• Connected via the Silver Line, with transfers to the Orange Line at Rosslyn and to the Yellow Line at the Pentagon station.
• Ideal for travelers coming from farther afield
• Straightforward Metro ride into the DC region

Baltimore/Washington International (BWI)

• Accessible via Amtrak or MARC train to Union Station
• From there, connect to Metro or proceed directly to a Union Station handover
• Or, continue on to the included handover location at Huntington South, at the end of Yellow Line

Arriving by Rail

Union Station: Train-to-Van Made Easy

For guests arriving by rail, Union Station is one of the most seamless handover options available.

Union Station is a major multimodal transportation hub, serving:

• Amtrak (Northeast Corridor and long-distance routes)
• MARC and VRE commuter rail
• Metro Red Line
• Taxis, rideshare, and local and intercity buses

If you’re coming from New York, Philadelphia, Boston, or anywhere along the East Coast, Union Station allows you to step off the train and transition directly into your campervan adventure.

Arriving by Auto: Rideshare or Personnel Auto

Ease of Access

If you’re driving into the region but want to avoid city congestion, Metro-based handovers offer an excellent alternative. Our standard handover location at the Huntington South metro station is located conveniently at the juncture of several major road arteries leading into south Alexandria:

• Just off of the I-495 Beltway at Exit 176A
• Near Richmond Highway / Rt 1
• Near local artery Telegraph Road

Parking Considerations for Metro Handover

Many stations we use have large, secure garages designed for multi-day use. A key benefit:

• Free parking if you leave on a weekend or federal holiday
• If you leave on a weekday, you generally pay for just one day, even if your trip is longer

This makes Metro stations one of the least-appreciated parking hacks in the entire DC area, a cost-effective and stress-free place to leave your personal vehicle while you travel.

Not Sure Which Option Is Best?

If you’re unsure which handover location or transportation option makes the most sense for your trip, we’re happy to help. We regularly assist guests arriving by plane, train, Metro, and car, and can recommend the smoothest option based on your itinerary.

Wherever you’re coming from, getting to your campervan in Washington, DC is easier than you might expect—and often part of the adventure itself.