Washington D.C. visitors can fly into one of three major airports: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Dulles International Airport, and Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
Each of these airports have attractive qualities, which could definitely influence your travel plans. To help you determine which D.C. airport you should fly into, we’ve put together a short guide, highlighting the pros and cons of each hub.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Among the three choices, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the closest to the Capitol Hill Hotel and Washington D.C.’s most popular tourist attractions. A mere 20-minute drive to our hotel, this Ronald Reagan Airport is also accessible by the city’s Metro.
The downside to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is its size. The short runway limits traffic to domestic flights, though it also services a few routes from Canada and the Caribbean. Unfortunately, international travelers will likely need to take a non-direct flight to arrive at Ronald Reagan. For domestic visitors, however, this airport will likely be the most convenient.
Washington Dulles International Airport
Farther from Capitol Hill Hotel is Dulles International Airport, about an hour drive away. Despite the commute, travelers appreciate Dulles for its state-of-the-art security checkpoints, which makes waiting times shorter and the general experience far more streamlined.
With upwards of 100 restaurants and retail shops, it’s also an enjoyable place to kill time before a flight or during a long commute. Best of all? Dulles is a major international hub, and services carriers from around the world.
Baltimore–Washington International Airport
Also located about an hour drive from the Capitol Hill Hotel, Baltimore-Washington is another nearby international flying option. For those who are keen on the competitive prices of Southwest Airlines, this may be the airport for you, as the popular airline has its own terminal here.
The Baltimore-Washington International Airport is also close to an Amtrak station, creating another easy commute option for travelers who aren’t renting cars, or paying for taxicabs.