The Closest Airport to Washington, DC

Believe it or not, Washington, DC, the nation’s capital, welcomes millions of visitors each year to its compact city. And why should it not? No one should be kept away from the neoclassical buildings, monuments, iconic museums, and performing-art venues. The city is home to the Capitol, the White House, and the Supreme Court; who knows, you may get a chance to catch a glimpse of the state’s president. 

Nevertheless, all this is possible only if you plan things right and reach the city center without ruining your mood and wasting your time by flying into not the closest but the farthest airport. 

Searching the Closest Airports to Washington, DC? Look No Further

There may not be tons of options to get to Washington, DC, when it comes to flying to the closest airports. Nevertheless, the three options that you have are enough to catch a flight, take ground transportation for the rest of the route, and visit DC. 

These airports serve a large number of airlines and are top-class when it comes to providing passengers with exactly what they’re looking for.

1. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) – 11 min (4.1 miles) 

The most convenient and best option to get to Washington, DC, is by getting a flight to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), only 4 miles from downtown DC. Visitors staying in Arlington or the nearby suburbs can book a flight to this airport as it serves around 97 locations within the US and a few destinations in the Caribbean. 

The airport is conveniently close to the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, and the Washington DC Convention Center. 

Location

2401 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Access Rd, Arlington, VA 22202, United States.

Fly If

You have booked accommodation in Arlington or Washington DC’s city central area. 

Don’t fly, if 

You need to fly on a direct flight from an international location. Flying from outside the country. The next airport is the right choice for you.

Airlines Serving

Ronald Reagan Airport is home to several leading airlines: 

• Air Canada Express, Frontier Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and Southwest operate from Terminal 1. 
• Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Spirit Airlines operate from Terminal 2. 

How to Get To and From 

There are quite a few ways to get to Washington, DC, from Ronald Reagan Airport. Some of the options include: 

• Metrorail: The Yellow Line connects to the Metrorail System and offers services to and from the airport. It is a fast, convenient, and budget-friendly option for travelers who want to get to downtown D.C. from DCA. 
• Rideshares/Taxis: Uber and Lyft are two prominent rideshares or taxis in DC. These may be more expensive than public transportation but can be a good option if you require a door-to-door service.
• Shuttle Service: If your hotel provides a shuttle service, that’s great. However, if not, you can use one right outside the Ronald Reagan Airport’s arrivals terminal. 
• Private Car Rentals: If luxury is your thing, then no other option could be perfect than renting private cars to transfer to and from your desired locations in DC. You can find several agencies offering this service right outside the airport’s terminal. 

2. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – 37 min (28.1 miles) 

The next airport is Washington Dulles International Airport, at a distance of 28 Miles in Loudoun County and Fairfax County of North Virginia, United States. It is one of the largest airports in the US in terms of land area. The airport has gone through several renovations to provide more of what the passengers expect at any international airport. 

Location

1 Saarinen Cir, Dulles, VA 20166, United States

Fly If

You are traveling from outside the United States of America. 

Don’t fly, if 

You require quick and easy access to downtown Washington, D.C., because it takes around 37 minutes to get there from here. For quick access, DCA is better than IAD.

Airlines Serving

A variety of airlines serve flights to and from Washington Dulles International Airport. Air Canada Express, along with United Express, uses the main terminal of IAD. 

On the other hand, Aer Lingus, Air China, Air India, Aeromexico, Air France All Nippon, Allegiant Air, British Airways, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Ethiopian, Etihad, Iberia, EgyptAir, KLM, Korean Air, Porter, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Sun Country Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Saudia Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, Westjet, Icelandair, etc operate from the Midfield terminals of IAD. 

How to Get To and From 

To get around D.C. from Washington Dulles International Airport, you have the following options: 

• Metro Rail: Providing direct access to downtown D.C., the Metro Rail Silver line can get you access from the L’Enfant Plaza to Rosslyn and Tysons Corner and several other stops in between. 
• Shuttle Bus: Passengers wanting to use the shuttle bus can take the 5A Metrobus, which runs frequently between the airport (IAD) and West Falls Church Metro Station and stops at L’Enfant Plaza and several other locations in Washington.
• Private Cars: Luxury is a lifestyle for many travelers, which is why skipping public transport and getting onto private car services is quite obvious. If you want, you can get private cars outside the IAD’s terminal. 
• Ride-hailing or Taxi: Uber, Lyft, and other taxi services are open to passengers at IAD. If preferred, rideshares are also available to serve. 

3. Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) – 43 min (32.8 miles)

Another nearest airport to get to, D.C. is Baltimore-Washington International Airport. BWI is 32 miles from Washington and 9 miles from the downtown of Baltimore in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It is one of the three major or leading airports that serve the Baltimore Metropolitan Area. FYI, approximately 27 million passengers fly to and from this airport on an annual basis. 

Location

7050 Friendship Rd, Baltimore, MD 21240, USA

Fly If

You need to fly to the Southwest. 

Don’t fly, if 

If you don’t require public transport to travel by road to Washington, D.C. 

Airlines Serving

The airport has five concourses with 78 gates that serve the following airlines: 

Alaska Airlines	Contour Airlines	Spirit Airlines
Sun Country Airlines	BermudAir	United Airlines
Avelo Airlines	Delta Air Lines	Play
United Express	Frontier Airlines	Southwest Airlines
British Airways	Icelandair	Allegiant Air
Condor	JetBlue	Copa Airlines

How to Get To and From 

One of the most convenient ways to get to Washington from BWI is by driving. You can find several car rental agencies ready to offer you rental car services right at the airport’s terminal. In addition to that, you can also use the following options: 

• Rideshare Services: Rideshares are perfect for passengers traveling on a budget. However, as time-sensitive as they may sound, they still save you hefty money. 
• Public Transportation: The Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrorail System runs to the Greenbelt Station, transferring you to the BWI Express Bus. It is an affordable option but is time-consuming. 
• Taxi Service: Several taxis are available outside the airport, which you can take to get to your next location in Washington, D.C. 

How to Reach the National Mall from the Nearest Airports to Washington DC

The National Mall is one of the top iconic monuments in Washington, D.C. It is long and grassy. The U.S. Capitol is towards the eastern end of the National Mall, and the White House is towards the north. Lawns, Pathways, and the Smithsonian Museums flank the structure. People in D.C. often use this area to jog, play, or gather. Also, if you want to witness the beauty of blossoming cherry trees, you won’t want to miss the Tidal Basi Reservoir nearby. 

From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

A taxi from Ronald Reagan Airport will take about six minutes of your time to get you to the National Mall and will cost you not more than $15. In addition, if you prefer, a Metro can also get you to this location within 15 minutes and for just $2 or $3. 

From Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

If you take a taxi from IAD to get to the National Mall, you should expect at least 40 minutes to get there. The taxi can cost you around $65. In addition, public transport or bus is also available for $10 or so. You can transfer with any of the preferred options. 

From Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)

Without traffic, 40 minutes are more than enough to reach the National Mall from BWI. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, renting a car or hopping on a taxi for $100 is perfect. The Amtrack train also runs from BWI to the DC’s Union Station and will get you there in not more than 30 minutes.

 You can also choose to take service from the Greenbelt Metro Station for the same cost but more time (70 minutes). Other than that, MARC trains are also available to the visitors. 

Which Washington DC Airport is Better to Fly Into?

Passengers traveling internationally should consider Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) as their airport of arrival for Washington, DC, as it serves a vast number of airlines to and from its base. For domestic travel to Washington, DC, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is a convenient option. In addition, Baltimore is perfect if you need to fly to the Southwest. 

Overall, if we talk about the best airport to get to Washington, DC, no one can beat Washington Dulles International Airport’s services. 

Getting to the Bottom!

With the help of the above-mentioned particulars, you can think and get a flight to your preferred airport. Make sure to get in touch with the airlines you choose to fly with to get the best deals and discounts on airfares. 

Whenever you are vacationing next in Washington D.C, be sure to enjoy and experience every bit of what the city has to offer you. If you properly plan and organize your travels, you can rest assured fun will knock on your door knobs itself. 

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