[Best Airport to Fly Into Washington DC, Washington DC Airport Guide]

 

Washington DC Airport Guide

This article covers the best airport to fly into Washington DC. As a frequent traveler, I always want to find the best airport to fly to start my trip off right.

Flying into Washington DC is easy, and you have four major airports to choose from: Washington-Dulles International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Baltimore Washington International Airport, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

This article covers everything you need to know to determine the best airport to fly into Washington DC. It covers pros and cons of the four airports for travel into the Washington DC metropolitan area.

Let’s dive in.

 

Best Airport to Fly Into Washington DC: Bottom Line

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are the most popular airports to fly into Washington DC.

Washington Dulles International Airport is about 26 miles from downtown Washington DC, and it offers good transportation options to reach the city. It is an international airport with a ton of flight paths.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is closer (3 to 4 miles away from downtown Washington DC). However, the flight options can be more limited for international travelers.

The bottom line is the best airport to fly into Washington DC will depend on where you are traveling from, your best flight path, and your travel timing.

Lastly, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airpor is a good option for some travelers going into Washington DC. Just keep it mind that it is 34 miles from downtown Washington DC and 4 miles from Baltimore.

Read on to learn about each of the three commercial airport options closest to Washington DC, plus FAQs about each airport.

 

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Washington-Dulles International Airport is 25 miles from downtown Washington DC. This is Washington DC’s main international airport, and a major hub for international, domestic, and intercontinental flights.

It is also listed as one of the USA’s busiest airports serving around 22 million passengers a year. You will find tons of international flights, and all major United States airlines go through the airport. Therefore, it can be a good option to fly into the city.

Another reason to consider this airport is its wide selection of direct flights, both domestic and international. The airport’s website states that it offers direct flights to 74 domestic and 60 international locations as of July 2023.

Washington Dulles Airport is popular for both domestic and international travelers. It has about 140 flights from 40 unique airlines. You will find tons of good restaurants and airport lounges as well. The airport’s design is reminiscent of flight and features beautiful design elements.

 

Transportation from Washington Dulles Airport

The best ways to travel to the capital from Washington Dulles International Airport is by car, ride share, and the DC Metro.

The Metrorail Silver Line brings you into downtown Washington DC from the Washington Dulles International Airport Metrorail station. It takes about one hour to travel into the city, but make sure to check before you travel.

 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

Ronald Reagan National Airport is located in Virginia just south of Washington DC across the Potomac River. Reagan Airport is the closest airport to the DC downtown area, so it could be a solid choice for traveling into Washington DC.

The airport has two terminals and 58 gates for international and domestic flights. International flights are limited, but you’ll find a decent selection of domestic flights. In fact, the airport’s website states it offers 102 direct fights for domestic destinations, and 6 for international destinations.

 

Transportation Options from Reagan Airport

Reagan Airport offers direct connection to the Washinton DC Metrorail. Since Reagan Airport is the nearest airport to the capital, car rentals and ride shares are another option. Plus, it can take about 30 minutes to travel into downtown Washington DC via the Metrorail, compared to one hour from Washington-Dulles Airport.

Reagan Airport connects to the Metrorail via the Blue, Silver, and Yellow Lines. Check out the Metrorail map and travel planner to determine your best route.

 

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is located closer to Baltimore than Washington DC, but there are a few reasons it might be the best airport to fly into Washington DC depending on your plans.

First, there are many transportation options to and from the airport. Second, there are 86 direct flight paths from domestic destinations. Baltimore Washington International Airport’s website mentions that it has over 650 flight routes from the airport’s four concourses, so you might just find a flight that suites you. It’s listed as the busiest airport in this region with 27 million travelers each year.

The airport is 9 miles from downtown Baltimore, and 34 from downtown Washington DC.

 

Transportation Options From Baltimore Washington International Airport

Baltimore-Washington International Airport serves Washington DC, however it is 34 miles from downtown Washington DC, so you will need to factor in travel times when considering flying in. You can rent a car, grab ride share, or use the Marc Train.

 

College Park Airport (CGS)

College Park Airport is a domestic airport serving fixed wing aircraft and helicopters in the Washington DC area. 

The airport serves private aircraft only, so you won’t fly in on a commercial plane. However, if you are a history buff you might want to check out the College Park Aviation Museum. The museum showcases history from the oldest continuously operating airport in the United States (since 1909) and was used by the Wright brothers as a military demonstration site.

 

Best Airports to Fly into Washington DC FAQs

 

Can I Travel to Union Station from Washington DC Airports?

If you’re looking for the best airport to fly into Washington DC, you can’t go wrong with the four mentioned above. If you’re curious about city transportation or even taking the Amtrak into Washington DC, check out Union Station.

Union Station was one of the first great rail stations in the USA, and it is spectacular to visit. The station also serves as a station for Amtrak, the Metrorail, Marc Trail, and VRE.

 

What Airlines Fly into Washington DC?

All major United States airlines (and tons of international airlines) fly into Washington DC. This includes American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Virgin Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and more. 

The best option of airline to travel into Washington DC will depend on where you are flying in from. All four airports in this article provide easy access into Washington DC and the capital’s city center. 

 

How Can I Travel Inside Washington DC?

The city’s many major hubs have Metrorail lines that connect the city. The Metrorail can be a great option for traveling anywhere in the city.

You can rent a car, but keep in mind that parking can be an issue in DC because it is often limited. DC traffic is notoriously bad in some areas.

For general information on Washington DC Metrorail, visit the Metrorail website. You can purchase tickets and see routes.

 

What Flight Paths go Into Washington DC?

I really like the website FlightConnections.com to find the best flight paths for my travels. I even used it to help me determine what cities I’d want to live in. They offer a free version that works great and a premium version with added price and airline filters (plus other great features).

 

Best Airport to Fly Into Washington DC: Final Thoughts

There you have it, the best Washington DC airports to fly into the nation’s capital! If you are planning a trip to Wshington DC, you have three solid options for airports that will make getting to the capital simple.

Planning a trip to Washington DC? This 4 Day Washington DC Itinerary will have you covered to see all the major sights, from Capitol Hill to famous monuments, theaters and restaurants.

If you’re in Washington DC you definitely want to check out the best museums around the city and the national mall.

Finally, follow this blog for East Coast and South East USA travel guides and insights. Follow me on Instagram.