Reston Commutes: Metro, ParkX and Connector Options

Rushing to beat traffic on the Toll Road? You have more options than you might think. In Reston, you can mix the Silver Line, Fairfax Connector, and flexible parking to build a commute that fits your schedule and budget. If you know where to park, how to transfer, and when to ride, you can save time and money every week. This guide breaks down your best choices and shows you how to plan with confidence. Let’s dive in.

Silver Line at a glance

Reston stations to know

• Wiehle–Reston East: Major park-and-ride hub with extensive bus connections and bike amenities. Check station details and amenities on the official Wiehle–Reston East station page.
• Reston Town Center: Convenient for RTC offices and shops with walk-in and bus access, but no commuter parking. Review access options on the Reston Town Center station page.
• Phase 2 extension: Service to Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Dulles Airport and Ashburn began on November 15, 2022. See the county’s announcement, All aboard the Silver Line extension.

Travel time and trip planning

• You can ride the Silver Line from Reston to central DC or directly to Dulles Airport. Actual times vary by station and time of day, often in the 40 to 60 minute range for downtown trips. Use WMATA’s station pages and Trip Planner from the Wiehle–Reston East station page for precise door-to-door times.

Paying your fare

• Metro fares vary by distance and time. SmarTrip remains the recommended way to pay, especially if you will transfer to bus or use employer SmartBenefits.
• You can also tap a contactless credit or debit card on rail with WMATA’s Tap. Ride. Go.. SmarTrip is still required to unlock free rail-to-Connector bus transfers and some discounts.

Parking: County lots vs ParkX

County park-and-ride at Wiehle

• The county-operated garage at Wiehle–Reston East offers about 2,300 spaces with a posted daily price around $4.95 and options for reserved monthly spaces. Confirm current rates and reservation details on the county’s Wiehle–Reston East parking page.
• This is the budget-friendly choice for most drive-to-rail commuters and has strong Fairfax Connector coverage.

ParkX at Reston Station

• ParkX provides premium, reserved parking products adjacent to the station. Published examples include Gold reserved at $155/month and Platinum reserved at $195/month. Daily and airport options are also listed. Check current offerings on the Reston Station parking page.
• Choose ParkX if you want a guaranteed, numbered indoor spot with easy access to station entrances and nearby retail.

How to choose your parking

• Prioritize price: County parking typically costs less day to day.
• Prioritize certainty: ParkX reserved options guarantee your space, which can be helpful if you arrive later in the morning.
• Consider your schedule: Some reserved products hold your spot only until a set morning time. Read terms before you commit.
• Think about airport trips: If you fly often, compare ParkX daily options with rail access to Dulles.

Fairfax Connector and RIBS

Local circulators and neighborhood links

• Fairfax Connector runs the RIBS circulators that connect Reston neighborhoods with key destinations like Lake Anne, Hunters Woods, North Point, Reston Town Center, and Metro stations. See an overview of bus options near Reston Station on the Access Russell bus page.

Regional routes and airport access

• Connector routes link Reston with nearby hubs and Dulles. Route 952 provides service between Reston and Washington Dulles International Airport. You can also ride the Silver Line directly to the Dulles Airport station.
• Schedules and frequencies vary by route and day. For specifics, check the county’s rider pages for Reston Town Center connections.

Connector fares and transfers

• Regular Connector fares are typically around $2.25. Always confirm current pricing on the Connector fares and policies page.
• Good to know: SmarTrip rail to regular Connector bus transfers are free when you tap the same SmarTrip card or mobile wallet.

Planning tools

• Use WMATA’s Trip Planner for rail times and station info, and Fairfax Connector schedules or real-time tools for bus arrivals. The Access Russell page above links to tracker options commonly used by Reston riders.

Sample commute playbooks

To downtown DC with parking

• Park at the county garage at Wiehle–Reston East, then ride the Silver Line to your downtown stop. Pay with SmarTrip for easy transfers if you need a Metrobus at the end.

To Reston Town Center offices

• If you live nearby, walk, bike or take a Connector route to Reston Town Center station. There is no commuter parking at this station. Review access options on the Reston Town Center station page.

To Dulles Airport

• Take the Silver Line to the Dulles Airport station for a one-seat ride into the terminal area, or use Fairfax Connector service like 952 from Reston locations depending on timing and luggage needs.

Tips to save time and money

• Load SmarTrip to your phone for quick taps and free rail-to-bus transfers on regular Connector routes.
• Compare county daily rates with ParkX reserved prices, and check terms like hold-until times before buying a monthly pass.
• Check first and last train times on WMATA before early flights or late events.
• Ask your employer about shuttles or commute benefits. Many Reston campuses offer private shuttles that cut first and last mile time.

A smart commute can make daily life in Reston even better. If access to Metro, parking, and bus routes is part of your home search, let a local guide help you weigh the tradeoffs by neighborhood. Reach out to Marnie Schaar & Associates for trusted, Reston-based insight.

FAQs

What are the main Reston Metro stations and is there parking?

• Wiehle–Reston East has a large county garage with about 2,300 spaces; Reston Town Center has walk-in and bus access but no commuter parking. Check both on WMATA’s station pages.

How much does it cost to park at Wiehle–Reston East?

• The county posts a daily price around $4.95 and offers reserved monthly options. Verify current rates and availability on Fairfax County’s Wiehle–Reston East page.

What is the difference between ParkX and the county garage?

• ParkX sells premium reserved spaces next to the station with published monthly products like Gold and Platinum, while the county garage is lower cost day to day without a guaranteed assigned spot.

Are Silver Line trips from Reston to DC direct?

• Yes. The Silver Line provides a one-seat ride to central DC; total time varies by station and time of day. Use WMATA’s Trip Planner for exact timing.

How do Fairfax Connector transfers work with Metro?

• When you use the same SmarTrip to transfer from Metrorail to a regular Fairfax Connector route, the transfer is free. Express routes cost more and have different rules.

What are my transit options to Dulles Airport from Reston?

• Ride the Silver Line directly to the Dulles Airport station or use Fairfax Connector service like route 952 depending on your location and schedule.