Jazmin Li
Washington, DC is a busy place with people constantly coming and going. Luckily, there are several airports that service the area, including Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Dulles International Airport, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Of these airports, Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport are conveniently located on the Metro. Reagan National Airport is the closest airport to DC and is centrally located on the Metro system's blue and yellow lines. The airport has its own metro station, which can be reached via walkways or shuttle buses from the airport terminals. The Dulles airport metro station is connected to the main terminal by an indoor pedestrian tunnel with moving sidewalks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Reagan National Airport, Washington Reagan National Airport, DCA Reagan National Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport |
| Location | Arlington, VA |
| Metro Lines | Blue and Yellow |
| Metro Station Name | Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Station |
| Ticketing | SmarTrip Card, $2.00 one-time fee, can be purchased online or from ticket machines at the airport metro station |
| Fares | $2.00–$6.00 (peak), $2.00–$3.85 (off-peak), $2.35 (weekdays between 05:00 and 09:30 and 15:00–19:00) |
| Operating Hours | 05:00–00:00 (Mon–Thu), 05:00–01:00 (Fri), 07:00–01:00 (Sat), 08:00–00:00 (Sun) |
| Shuttle Services | GO Airport Shuttle, SuperShuttle, hotel shuttle services |
| Dulles International Airport | An underground metro station was planned but an above-ground station was approved in 2011 due to cost concerns; the Silver Line Metro station at Dulles provides access to trains to downtown Washington, D.C. |
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What You'll Learn
Reagan National Airport's Metro access
The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is conveniently located on the Metro and is the closest airport to the nation's capital. DC travelers can choose from a few airports, but Reagan National Airport is the prime location for short travel to and from DC. The station is located at 2401 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Access Rd, Arlington, VA 22202, and is considered the local Washington DC airport.
The biggest advantage of landing at Reagan National Airport is that it is centrally located and on the Metro system's blue and yellow lines. If you're headed downtown, the Yellow line is usually faster. The Metrorail station is connected to the main terminal by an indoor pedestrian tunnel with moving walkways and elevators, making it accessible for everyone. The tunnel provides convenient access to the airport’s ticketing and baggage claim levels.
Passengers arriving at or departing from Terminal 2 (Gates B, C, D, or E) can access the Metro station via two enclosed pedestrian bridges on the concourse level. These bridges lead to the concourse level of Terminal 2, which is connected to the airport's ticketing and baggage claim levels. If you're arriving or departing from Terminal 1 (Gates A), you can access the Metro station by exiting the terminal to the street-side curb and boarding any "Airport Shuttle" bus. These shuttles also connect to Terminal 2, where you can access the Metro station via the enclosed bridge. It is also possible to walk from Terminal 1, which takes about 10-15 minutes.
Metro fare cards can be purchased at machines located at all entrances to the Airport Metrorail station. The maximum fare to any station on the Metrorail system is $6 or less when using a SmarTrip card, which is available for purchase inside the Metro station.
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Dulles Airport's Metrorail station
The Dulles International Airport is connected to the Silver Line Metro station by an indoor pedestrian tunnel with moving sidewalks. The tunnel provides easy access to the airport's ticketing and baggage claim levels. Signage at the airport guides passengers to the tunnel, which also connects the terminal with Parking Garage 1. The Silver Line Metro station at Dulles International Airport offers train services to downtown Washington, D.C., and other destinations in the region.
The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, which opened in November 2022, is a 23.1-mile extension of Washington's existing Metrorail System. It was built in two phases by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). Phase 1 of the project extends the Metrorail system from the East Falls Church Station on the Orange Line in Fairfax County to Wiehle Avenue in Reston. Phase 2 continues from Reston to Washington Dulles International Airport and beyond to Loudoun County.
The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project connects Northern Virginia's technology corridor, residential communities, and Washington Dulles International Airport with downtown Washington, D.C., and suburban Maryland. The project is a partnership between the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Fairfax County, Loudoun County, the Town of Herndon, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).
While the Dulles International Airport does offer Metrorail access, it is important to note that the Reagan National Airport is another option that is closer to Washington, D.C., and is directly on the Metro system's blue and yellow lines. Reagan National Airport offers convenient access to the Metro, with a pedestrian bridge connecting the airport terminals to the Metro station. Additionally, an airport shuttle bus is available to transport passengers between the airport and the Metro station.
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Getting to downtown Washington, DC
Washington, DC is accessible by three airports: Reagan National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Baltimore–Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Of these, Reagan National Airport is the closest airport to the nation's capital and is centrally located on the Metro system's blue and yellow lines. The airport has a Metrorail station with a platform that can be accessed via pedestrian bridges from either end of Terminal 2 at Gates B, C, D, or E. Terminal 1 (Gates A) is a bit further away, but passengers can still get to the Metro station by walking for about 10-15 minutes or taking the Airport Shuttle Bus. The maximum fare to any station on the Metrorail system is $6 or less when using a SmarTrip card, which can be purchased at machines located at all entrances to the Airport Metrorail station. If you are headed downtown, the Yellow line is usually faster.
Dulles International Airport is located 26 miles outside of Washington, DC, in Chantilly, Virginia, and it takes about 35 to 45 minutes to get to downtown in non-rush-hour traffic. The airport handles more daily flights than the other two airports, with about 36 airlines flying nonstop to 135 destinations, including 48 foreign cities. The Silver Line Metro station at Dulles provides access to trains from the airport to downtown Washington, DC, and the surrounding region. The Metrorail station is connected to the main terminal by an indoor pedestrian tunnel with moving sidewalks, providing convenient access to the airport's ticketing and baggage claim levels.
Baltimore–Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is located a few miles outside of Baltimore, about 45 minutes from downtown Washington, DC. One factor that has recommended this airport to travelers is the major presence of Southwest Airlines.
In addition to the Metro, there are several other transportation options for getting to downtown Washington, DC, from the airports. These include rental cars, buses, and shuttle services. Washington, DC also has a grid road system, so driving around the city is an option, although traffic patterns may change due to rush hour/commuting times and construction. The default speed limit for local roads is 20 miles per hour. However, Washington, DC is also a very walkable city, with 58% of commuter trips made by foot, bike, or public transit.
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Purchasing a SmarTrip Card
Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) is the closest airport to the nation's capital and is conveniently located on the Metro system's blue and yellow lines. The airport station is situated near the actual airport, with a pedestrian bridge providing access to the platform from either end of Terminal 2. If you are arriving or departing from Terminal 1, you can also get to the Metro station, although it is a bit further away. There is an Airport Shuttle Bus that connects Terminal 1 to the Metro.
Dulles International Airport also has a Metrorail station connected to the main terminal by an indoor pedestrian tunnel with moving sidewalks. The Silver Line Metro station at Dulles provides access to trains from the airport to downtown Washington, D.C. and the surrounding region.
SmarTrip cards are permanent, rechargeable fare cards that can be used for Metrorail, Metrobus, and other participating transit agencies, as well as for parking fees at Metro-operated facilities. The standard card costs $2 and comes with $8 in stored fare value for a total price of $10. There are also limited-edition SmarTrip cards available for certain occasions, such as the opening of the Metro's Silver Line or Metrorail's 40th anniversary, which have special graphics and function the same way as the standard card.
You can purchase a SmarTrip card online through the SmarTrip Store, and it will be shipped to you via USPS first-class mail within 1 business day. You can also buy SmarTrip cards at machines located at all entrances to the Airport Metrorail station. The SmarTrip mobile app is available for Android users, allowing you to access your fare within 1 business day at Metrorail stations and 3 business days on Metrobus. You can also add value or a pass to an existing SmarTrip card through the app or by logging into your account on the SmarTrip website.
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Other transport options
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is served by ride-sharing services such as Uber, Lyft, and Alto. The airport provides designated pick-up and drop-off locations for these services.
There are also a number of shuttle services operating from the airport, including SuperShuttle Express, which offers 24/7 airport pick-up and drop-off with private cars, shared vans, and limousines. SuperShuttle Express provides upfront pricing and allows customers to request a car seat or kennel. Some area hotels also offer free shuttle services from the airport.
Taxis are another option, with Yellow and Checker Cab serving Washington Dulles International Airport and Washington Flyer serving Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is also connected to the MARC rail station by shuttle. From the MARC rail station, passengers can take the MARC train to Union Station and transfer to Metro's Red Line.
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Frequently asked questions
The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is located just across the Potomac River in Arlington, VA, and is accessible by the Metro rail system.
From Terminal 1, you can exit towards the parking garage and take the elevator or stairway to the street level below. From there, you can board any "`Airport Shuttle` bus" to reach the metro station. Alternatively, you can walk to the metro station, which takes about 10-15 minutes.
From either end of Gates B, C, D, or E at Terminal 2, you can access the concourse level of the terminal via pedestrian bridges. These bridges lead to the platform of the Metro station.
The Reagan National Airport is located on the Metro system's blue and yellow lines. From the airport, you can take the metro to Greenbelt (Yellow Line) or Largo Town Center (Blue Line) via the city centre. There are several stations in Downtown Washington, D.C. where you can get off, including L'Enfant Plaza Station near National Mall and Metro Center.
The fare depends on the time of day and distance travelled. During peak hours, fares range from $2.25 to $6.00, while during off-peak hours, fares range from $2.00 to $3.85. On weekdays after 9:30 pm and on weekends, a one-way ticket costs $2.00. To use the metro, you must have a SmarTrip Card, which can be purchased for $2.00 from ticket machines at the airport's metro station or online.
