Travel guide · DCA vs IAD vs BWI
The best airport to fly into Washington DC
Quick answer: for most trips to downtown Washington, fly into Reagan National (DCA). It is about 3 miles from downtown with Metro at the terminal. Choose Dulles (IAD) for international flights or if you are staying in Reston, Herndon or Loudoun County. Choose BWI for low fares, especially on Southwest, or if you are headed to Baltimore or Maryland.
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Side by side
DCA vs IAD vs BWI at a glance
Drive times are typical, outside rush hour.
| Reagan National (DCA) | Dulles (IAD) | BWI Marshall | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance to downtown | About 3 miles | About 26 miles | About 30 miles |
| Drive to downtown | 15–25 min | 40–60 min | 45–70 min |
| Rail link | Metro Blue & Yellow Lines at the terminal | Metro Silver Line at the terminal | Shuttle to MARC or Amtrak, then Union Station |
| Biggest airlines | American, plus most major U.S. carriers | United hub, plus dozens of international airlines | Southwest, plus major U.S. and some international carriers |
| International flights | Very limited (mostly Canada) | The region’s main gateway | A smaller international schedule |
| Best for | Downtown, Capitol Hill, Arlington, the Pentagon | International trips; Reston, Herndon, Tysons, Loudoun | Low fares; Baltimore, Annapolis, Columbia, Maryland |
| Our car service | DCA car service | Dulles car service | BWI car service |
Reagan National · DCA
The closest airport to downtown
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport sits just across the Potomac in Arlington, Virginia, about 3 miles from the National Mall. Its compact layout means you are usually from the gate to the curb in minutes, and its Metro station on the Blue and Yellow Lines connects straight to downtown.
DCA has two terminals. Terminal 2 handles most flights, including American Airlines, its largest carrier. Check your terminal before you go, because the two are not connected after security.
Most flights must stay within 1,250 miles under the federal perimeter rule, with a limited number of exemptions for western cities. If you are flying long-haul internationally, you will almost always use Dulles instead.
- Best for downtown DC, Capitol Hill, Georgetown and Arlington
- Best for quick business trips and first-time visitors
- Shortest, cheapest ride into the city
Washington Dulles · IAD
The international gateway
Washington Dulles International Airport is in Loudoun County, Virginia, about 26 miles west of downtown. It is a United Airlines hub and the region’s main international airport, with nonstop flights to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia on dozens of airlines.
Since 2022, the Metro Silver Line has stopped at Dulles, connected to the terminal by a walkway. The ride to downtown takes close to an hour. By car, allow 40 to 60 minutes, and more at rush hour on the Dulles Toll Road and I-66.
Dulles is also the most convenient airport if you are staying in Reston, Herndon, Ashburn, Leesburg or Tysons, or visiting the Dulles technology corridor.
- Best for international and long-haul flights
- Best for Northern Virginia suburbs and the tech corridor
- Widest choice of airlines and routes
BWI Thurgood Marshall
The budget-friendly alternative
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, about 30 miles from downtown DC and 10 miles from downtown Baltimore. Southwest Airlines is by far its largest carrier, which is why BWI often has the lowest domestic fares in the region.
There is no Metro at BWI. A free shuttle runs to BWI Rail Station, where MARC Penn Line and Amtrak trains go to Union Station. MARC runs mainly on weekdays. By car, allow 45 to 70 minutes to downtown DC.
- Best for low fares and Southwest flyers
- Best for Baltimore, Annapolis, Columbia and Maryland
- One terminal, easy to navigate
Getting into the city
Ground transportation options
Every airport has trains, taxis and rideshare. Here is how they compare with a private car.
Metro and trains
The cheapest option. Easy from DCA, slower from Dulles, and a train plus a shuttle from BWI. Harder with lots of luggage, a group or a late-night arrival.
Taxi and rideshare
On demand from designated pickup areas. Prices rise with demand at busy times, and you wait in the pickup line after a long flight.
Private car service
A flat rate agreed in advance, a chauffeur who tracks your flight, free waiting time and help with bags. Door to door from all three airports.
Airport car service
Whichever airport you choose, we’ll be there
Corporate Car Worldwide covers DCA, Dulles and BWI around the clock, plus Union Station. Airport transfers start from $105 in an executive sedan, and the rate is fixed before you travel.
- Real-time flight tracking: early or late, your pickup moves with you
- Up to 30 minutes of free waiting time after landing (60 for international arrivals)
- Curbside pickup or meet-and-greet at baggage claim
- Sedans, SUVs, Sprinters and minibuses for any group size
- Licensed and insured: USDOT 2308686, $1.5M auto liability
FAQ
DC airport questions
Which airport is closest to downtown Washington DC?
Reagan National (DCA). It sits about 3 miles from downtown in Arlington, Virginia, with a Metro station at the terminal and a typical drive of 15 to 25 minutes to the National Mall or K Street.
Which DC airport is best for international flights?
Dulles (IAD). It is the region’s main international gateway and a United Airlines hub, with long-haul service to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Reagan National has very limited international service, mostly to Canada, and BWI has a smaller international schedule.
Can I take the Metro from all three airports?
No. Reagan National is on the Blue and Yellow Lines, and Dulles has had its own Silver Line station since 2022. BWI has no Metro. From BWI you take the free shuttle to BWI Rail Station, then a MARC or Amtrak train to Union Station.
Is it cheaper to fly into BWI?
Often, yes. BWI is a major Southwest Airlines base and frequently has the lowest domestic fares. It is also the farthest from DC, so compare the total cost of the trip, including getting into the city, not just the ticket.
How long does it take to get from each airport to downtown DC by car?
Roughly 15 to 25 minutes from Reagan National, 40 to 60 minutes from Dulles and 45 to 70 minutes from BWI. Rush hour on I-66, the Dulles Toll Road, the Beltway and I-95 can add a lot more.
Which airport is best for business travelers?
Reagan National for most meetings in DC, Arlington, Crystal City or the Pentagon. Choose Dulles if your meetings are in Reston, Herndon, Tysons or Loudoun County, or if you are flying internationally.
How much is a private car from the airport to downtown DC?
With Corporate Car Worldwide, airport transfers start from $105 in an executive sedan. The final flat rate depends on the airport, your pickup and drop-off area and the vehicle, and includes flight tracking and free waiting time.
Flying into DC? Book your car.
Send your flight number and destination and we’ll confirm your vehicle and chauffeur.
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