Choosing the right airport for your trip to/from Washington DC

Like most major cities around the world, the US capital of Washington DC is served by a few airports. What’s different about DC’s airports is that since DC itself is so small, every single one of the airports is in a neighboring city.

Although there isn’t one airport code you can type into an airfare search that will generate results for all three DC-area airports in one go, you can take advantage of the ability most airfare search engines offer to “include nearby airports” (or other similar language) in your search. Look for – and check – that box before you do your search and you’ll save yourself a bit of time.

To help you figure out which airport is best for your trip, however, here’s a bit of information about each of the Washington DC-area airports.

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Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

The huge Dulles International is one of the busiest airports in the country, let alone serving Washington DC. The airport itself is in Dulles, Virginia, about 26 miles from DC.

• Dulles Airport Transportation – There is some public transportation to/from Dulles, including local bus lines, but the most convenient one is probably the Metrobus route that runs from the airport into downtown Washington. Otherwise, there are rental car companies and taxis available at the airport, as well as companies like Super Shuttle.
• Dulles Airlines – Dulles is served by a long list of airlines, and budget-conscious travelers will likely want to pay closest attention to the schedules of airlines with frequent flights in and out (like United) and discount airlines (like jetBlue, AirTran, Southwest, Sun Country, US Airways, and Virgin America) when looking for the best deals.
• Dulles Services – Free WiFi is available throughout Dulles airport, and in addition to the regular array of dining and shopping options you’ll also find Duty Free shops and currency exchange counters.

>> Find cheap flights to Washington Dulles

Reagan National Airport (DCA)

A favorite airport among many flying to/from Washington DC is Reagan National, simply because of its proximity to downtown. It’s only 3 miles from central DC.

• Reagan National Airport Transportation – There are several methods of connecting DC with Reagan National, but perhaps the easiest options are the DC Metro’s Yellow and Blue lines (or Metrobus in the wee hours before the Metrorail is running). There are also hotel shuttles for many DC hotels and taxis are available at the airport. If you’re staying right in DC and don’t have any day trips planned, you probably won’t even need a rental car – but they’re available if you want one.
• Reagan National Airlines – There’s a long list of major airlines serving DCA, so you shouldn’t have much trouble finding a flight that suits your schedule. To find a budget-friendly flight, check the airlines with the busiest schedules (like US Airways, Delta, and American) or the discount carriers (like AirTran, Frontier, jetBlue, Sun Country, and Spirit Air).
• Reagan National Services – Free WiFi is available throughout Reagan National, and in addition to the regular array of dining and shopping options you’ll also find currency exchange counters.

>> Find cheap flights to Washington Reagan National

Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)

Although BWI is technically just outside Baltimore, it’s still only 30 miles or so from Washington DC and therefore a good option for some travelers to DC. This is particularly because it’s a major city on the Southwest Airlines route network.

• BWI Airport Transportation – One great reason to check out flying to/from BWI is that it’s so well-connected by public transport. You can ride light rail or Amtrak all the way to Baltimore’s Penn Station or DC’s Union Station, as well as several other locations in the area. There are also several bus lines that connect BWI with points all over the area, or you can always go with the usual taxi or airport shuttle options, or get a rental car.
• BWI Airlines – As mentioned, BWI is a major focus city for discount carrier Southwest, which can make it a budget-friendly option. Other budget carriers serving BWI are AirTran, jetBlue, and US Airways. Major airlines with busy schedules at BWI can also be a good option.
• BWI Services – WiFi is available throughout the airport via Boingo for a fee, and the usual selection of shopping and dining options is available in each terminal.

>> Find cheap flights to Washington/Baltimore

photo by roger4336