Washington Dc Airports: All You Need To Know

Washington, D.C., is served by three major airports: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI). Each airport has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on a traveller's specific needs. For example, some airports offer more non-stop international and domestic routes, while others are more conveniently located for those looking to explore the nation's capital.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

The airport is accessible via the Blue and Yellow lines of the Metro, Washington, DC's subway system. A taxi or Uber ride to the National Mall will take around six minutes and cost $15 to $20. Reagan Airport is also reachable by car, with multiple garages and parking lots available.

Reagan Airport offers nonstop flights to over 100 destinations, mainly within the continental US, but also to a few airports in Canada and the Caribbean. It is the least busy of the three Washington, DC-area airports, and a short runway means that larger planes cannot fly in or out of the airport. There is also a perimeter rule, prohibiting flights beyond a 1,250-mile radius of Reagan, except for a few exceptions.

There are plenty of dining and shopping options at Reagan Airport, including Good Stuff Eatery, CAVA, and Ben's Chili Bowl.

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Washington Dulles International Airport is the busiest airport in the DC metro area, with 50.6 million passengers in 2023. It is a hub for United Airlines and is served by nearly 40 airlines. The airport offers 52 nonstop international routes to more than 48 countries, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, and 98 nonstop domestic routes. An average of 60,000 passengers pass through the airport daily, travelling to and from more than 139 destinations worldwide.

The airport's main terminal is a well-known landmark designed by the Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen. The terminal has been recognised for its graceful, flight-inspired design. The airport occupies 13,000 acres (20.3 sq mi; 52.6 km2), ranking fourth in the US in terms of land area.

Getting to and from the airport by car is convenient via the Dulles Access Road/Dulles Greenway (State Route 267) and State Route 28. The airport is also accessible by public transport, with Washington Metro service available via the Silver Line. Additionally, taxi and rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, are available, with a dedicated taxi provider, Washington Flyer, serving the airport.

The airport has a wide range of dining and shopping options, including duty-free shopping, high-end designers, and a spa. There are various lounges for different airlines, including United Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France, among others.

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

The airport is named after Thurgood Marshall, a Baltimore native and the first African American to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court justice. Planning for the airport began in 1944, and it was opened in 1950 as Friendship International Airport. The airport was renamed Baltimore/Washington International Airport in 1973 to attract passengers from the Washington metropolitan area. In 2005, it was renamed again to honour Thurgood Marshall.

BWI is served by Southwest Airlines, which has its own terminal and offers numerous flights at competitive prices. The airport has five concourses with 78 gates, 14 of which are international. In addition to Southwest, other airlines serving BWI include American, Contour, Delta, Spirit, Frontier, and United.

BWI offers various transportation options, including parking garages, remote parking lots, and a light rail station with service to downtown Baltimore. Amtrak and MARC trains also serve the airport, providing connections to Union Station in Washington, D.C., and Penn Station in Baltimore. Local bus services, passenger van services, rental car services, and taxi and ridesharing options are also available.

BWI has been recognised for its facilities, including being named the second-healthiest airport in the U.S. by Health magazine in 2008 and ranking first in the 15-to-25-million-passenger category in a 2009 survey of airport service quality by Airports Council International. In 2022, an expansion project was announced, which is expected to transform the customer experience by improving baggage handling, enhancing restrooms, and introducing new food and retail options.

Transport options to/from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is located in Arlington, Virginia, about 4 miles from downtown Washington. It is accessible via its own Metro stop on the Blue and Yellow lines, with the journey to the National Mall taking less than 20 minutes and costing $2 to $3.

Taxis are also available outside the baggage claim area, with a ride into downtown DC costing around $15 to $20. Ridesharing apps such as Uber, Lyft, and ALTO are also available, with designated pick-up zones outside the terminal.

For those looking to drive, the airport has multiple garages and parking lots. Shuttle buses are also available, with authorised pick-up locations for hotel shuttles and charter buses.

Transport options to/from Washington Dulles International Airport

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is located 26 miles from Washington, DC, in suburban Virginia. It is the primary international airport for the DC region, with almost 140 nonstop domestic and international destinations on nearly 40 airlines.

By Car

The airport is 26.5 miles from Washington, DC, and the drive takes around 35 minutes without traffic. However, this can increase significantly during rush hour.

By Taxi or Rideshare

A taxi or rideshare from the airport to Washington, DC, will cost around $60-$70 and takes about 35 minutes without traffic.

By Bus

There is a direct bus from Washington Union Station to Dulles International Airport, which takes approximately 45 minutes. The bus costs $8-$19, and services depart twice daily.

By Subway

There is also a direct subway from Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 2 Platform to the airport, which takes around 49 minutes. The subway costs $3-$6, and services depart every 15 minutes.

By Shuttle

Several companies offer shuttle services to and from the airport, including GO Airport Shuttle, which provides transportation to residences, offices, hotels, and conference centers in the Washington, DC, and Baltimore areas.

By Train

The airport is connected to DC via the Silver Line of the Washington Metro.

Frequently asked questions