The Airports
There are three major airports in the DC area. Each has its own characteristics which may make it preferable to the others for a particular trip. Considerations include ticket price and the cost and ease of getting between the airport and DC. Ticket costs are relatively easy to find, but the cost and ease involved with ground transportation to or from the airport can vary by time of day and day of week.
The three airports are Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). The trade-offs are straight forward. Reagan is easy to get to, but has limited flight options and often is pricey. Baltimore is generally less expensive, but significantly harder to get to. Dulles typically falls somewhere in between the other two in both categories.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Regan Washington National Airport, usually known as “Reagan” or “National”, is located in Arlington, VA, and is easily accessible from DC by the Blue and Yellow Lines of the Metrorail system. Only a limited number of flights are allowed to fly to destinations further than 1250 miles, so travel options can be limited, and ticket prices often become expensive.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Typically known as “Dulles”, Washington Dulles International Airport has no current Metrorail station, though a track which will service the airport is under construction. The airport is 24 miles west of DC, so ground transportation to Dulles can be somewhat time consuming and pricey. Options include:
- The 5A Metrobus from L’Enfant Plaza Station (Blue, Green, Orange, and Yellow Metrorail lines) or Rosslyn Station (Blue and Orange Metrorail lines) for $6.00
- The Washington Flyer coach bus from West Falls Church Station (Orange Metrorail line) for $10, or $18 round trip
- The SuperShuttle, which provides a door-to-door shared ride, for approximately $30 for one person, and $10 for each additional passenger
- Taxi, for approximately $50 to $70 depending on traffic and exact pickup or drop-off location
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Most often referred to as BWI, the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is a lengthy 30 miles north of DC. Transportation options exist that make the trip viable, and ticket prices can be hard to beat at the other two airports. Traffic is extremely variable, so the drive, which is less than an hour in light traffic, can be over an hour and a half during busier times. If driving or traveling by bus or taxi, be sure to take time of day into consideration. Options for transportation include:
- The B30 Metrobus from Greenbelt Station (Green Metrorail line) for $6.00
- The MARC train, from Union Station (Red Metrorail line) for $6.00 (Weekdays only)
- The Amtrak train, from Union Station (Red Metrorail line) for $14 to $40
- The SuperShuttle, which provides a door-to-door shared ride, for approximately $45 for one person, and $12 for each additional passenger
- Taxi, for $90+