Ruth Haines
Washington, D.C., is served by three airports: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI). The closest airport to the city is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, just across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial. Washington Dulles International Airport is located 25 miles from the National Mall, and Baltimore-Washington International Airport is the farthest, about 35 miles away.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Major Airports | 3 |
| Names of Airports | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) |
| Location | Virginia, Dulles, Virginia's Loudoun and Fairfax counties |
| Distance from Downtown DC | 4 miles (Reagan), 25-26 miles (Dulles), N/A (BWI) |
| Transport Options | Metro, taxi, rideshare, bus, car |
| Number of Nonstop Destinations | 106 (Reagan), 157 (Dulles), N/A (BWI) |
| Dining Options | Good Stuff Eatery, CAVA, Ben's Chili Bowl, Bracket Room, Commanders Burgundy and Gold Club |
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What You'll Learn
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
The airport first opened in 1941 and was originally named Washington National Airport. In 1998, Congress passed and President Bill Clinton signed a bill to rename the airport in honour of the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, who served from 1981 to 1989. Part of the original terminal is still in use as Terminal 1, while the much larger Terminal 2 opened in 1997.
DCA has a variety of lounges, including three American Airlines Admirals Clubs in Terminal 2, a Delta Sky Club, a United Club, and a USO lounge for retired and active military members in Terminal 1. The airport also features dining options such as Ben's Chili Bowl, a Washington D.C. landmark, and CAVA, which offers Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
In terms of transportation, the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station is served by the Washington Metro. The airport has also been facing some scrutiny due to several incidents, including a mid-air collision that nearly occurred in March 2025 and an altercation between employees in the air traffic tower.
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Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
IAD is the fourth-largest airport in the US in terms of land area. Most of the airport is in the unincorporated community of Dulles in Loudoun County, with a small portion in the unincorporated community of Chantilly in Fairfax County. The Town of Herndon is the closest municipality to the airport.
IAD is a major hub for United Airlines, with the majority of the market share held by United and United Express. Other airlines focus on international routes or domestic routes not served by United. As of February 2025, over 50 airlines serve the airport.
The airport has a wide range of dining options, including contemporary American cuisine and casual dining. Bracket Room, for example, is a full-service, upscale sports lounge and eatery with an extensive menu. Commanders Burgundy and Gold Club offers a welcoming dining experience with a chef-driven menu and a relaxing atmosphere.
Washington Dulles International Airport is connected to DC via the Metro's Silver Line, with each ride taking about an hour and costing $6.75. The airport is also serviced by taxi cabs and rideshare options.
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$21.32 $21.99
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (IATA: BWI, ICAO: KBWI, FAA LID: BWI), also known as Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Airport, or simply BWI Airport, is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It is situated 14 km south of downtown Baltimore and 50 km northeast of Washington, D.C. BWI is one of the three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, along with Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
In 2023, BWI handled 12,849,636 passenger enplanements, making it the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. The airport serves as one of the U.S.-based operating bases for Southwest Airlines. BWI has a reputation for low fares, convenient parking, a modern terminal, and an "Easy Come, Easy Go" travel experience.
The airport is named after Thurgood Marshall, a Baltimore native and the first African American to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. In 2005, the airport was renamed to honour Marshall's legacy, and it has since become known as a gateway to the Baltimore-Washington region.
BWI offers a range of transportation options for travellers, including access to the Metro, taxi services, and ridesharing apps such as Uber and Lyft. It is also easily accessible by road, with multiple parking lots and garages available for those who prefer to drive. Additionally, BWI provides various services and amenities to enhance the passenger experience, including dining and shopping options.
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College Park Airport (CGS)
The College Park Airport (CGS) is a public airport located in the City of College Park, in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. It is the world's oldest continuously operated airport, having been active since 1909 when it was founded by Wilbur Wright, who trained two military officers to fly in the government's first aeroplane. The airport is located south of Paint Branch and Lake Artemesia, east of U.S. Route 1 and the College Park Metro/MARC station, and west of Kenilworth Avenue.
College Park Airport is home to many "firsts" in aviation and is particularly significant for the well-known aviators and aviation inventors who contributed to the field's history. In 1909, Wilbur Wright taught Lieutenants Frederic Humphreys and Frank Lahm, with Humphreys becoming the first military pilot to solo in a government aeroplane. The same year, Mrs Ralph Henry Van Deman was flown by Wright to become the first woman to fly in a powered aircraft in the United States.
The nation's first military aviation school was opened at College Park Airport in 1911, with Lt. Henry H. Arnold and Lt. Thomas DeWitt Milling as instructors. William Starling Burgess also contributed a licensed Wright Model B named the Burgess Model F. The school witnessed numerous aviation firsts, including the participation of all aviators in a demonstration for the International Congress of Hygiene in 1912.
In 1918, the Post Office Department inaugurated the first Postal Airmail Service from College Park, serving Philadelphia and New York City. Flights continued until 1921, and the original airmail hangar remains at the airport today. The airport code "CGS" originally referred to its purpose in the 1930s as an airmail station ("CGS" stood for "College Station").
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) purchased the airport in 1973, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. Today, it continues to operate as an airport while also serving as a historic site, with its history depicted in the College Park Aviation Museum. Due to its proximity to the national capital, the airport's operations have been restricted since the 9/11 attacks, but civilian pilots can still utilise the airport after undergoing a one-time background check.
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Transport options to/from Reagan Airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the closest airport to downtown Washington and the city's inner suburbs. It is located just across the Potomac River in Virginia. The airport is served by the Blue and Yellow lines of Washington's Metro system, making it easily accessible via public transport. The Metro station is connected to the airport terminal by a covered moving walkway. A ride to the National Mall on the Metro will cost you less than $20 and take less than six minutes.
Taxis are readily available at the official taxi stand outside the baggage claim. A short taxi ride to or from the airport will cost $15-20 to or from downtown DC, but during rush hour, you can expect lots of traffic, which may increase the cost. A taxi to the National Mall will cost $90-110 and take 35 minutes, depending on traffic. Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft are also good options to get to and from the airport. An Uber to the National Mall will cost around $50.
If you are driving to the airport, there are multiple garages and parking lots available. Reagan Airport also has its own website with information on ground transportation, parking, and other amenities.
For those with accessibility needs, you can contact TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours prior to travelling with any questions about screening policies and procedures. You can also book a greeter through Air General Traveler Services, which can provide interline transfer connections, baggage and porter services, and other assistance.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
The airport is located in Washington, D.C. 20001.
The airport was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy and Eisenhower on November 17, 1962. It was originally named Dulles International Airport and was renamed Washington Dulles International Airport in 1984. The airport's main terminal was designed in 1958 by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen and is known for its graceful beauty.
