Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the closest airport to downtown Washington, D.C., located just 5 miles from the National Mall across the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia. It serves as a major hub for American Airlines and handles primarily domestic flights due to the federal perimeter rule that limits most nonstop flights to destinations within 1,250 miles.

The airport has two terminals arranged in a J-shape with five concourses:

• Terminal 1 (Gates A1-A9): The historic, semicircular terminal at the base of the J. Houses Air Canada, Frontier, and Southwest Airlines.
• Terminal 2 (Gates B10-E59): The larger, modern terminal designed by Cesar Pelli, opened in 1997. Connected to Metro via enclosed walkways.
  • Concourse B: Alaska Airlines, Delta, United
  • Concourse C: American Airlines, JetBlue
  • Concourse D: American Airlines hub operations
  • Concourse E: American Eagle regional flights (opened 2021)

Critical note: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are not connected airside. Transfers between terminals require exiting security and re-screening. Within Terminal 2, all four concourses (B, C, D, E) are connected post-security via National Hall.

DCA's direct Metro access makes it exceptionally convenient for reaching downtown D.C., the National Mall, and Capitol Hill in under 20 minutes.

Reagan National is located 5 miles south of downtown Washington, D.C., directly across the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia. It is the closest of the three D.C.-area airports to the city center.

Typical travel times:

• Downtown D.C. (Metro Center): 15-20 minutes by Metro
• National Mall: 17-20 minutes by Metro
• Capitol Hill: 20-25 minutes by Metro or taxi
• Georgetown: 20-30 minutes by taxi (no direct Metro)
• Dulles Airport (IAD): 45-60 minutes by car

The airport has a Metro station directly connected to Terminal 2 via enclosed pedestrian bridges, making public transit the most convenient option for most travelers.

Uber & Lyft

Rideshare services are readily available at DCA.

• Pickup location: Follow signs to rideshare pickup on the arrivals level
• Services available: UberX, Uber Comfort, Uber Black, Lyft, Lyft XL
• Typical wait times: 5-10 minutes

Taxi

Licensed taxis queue outside all terminal exits. All D.C. taxis are metered and accept credit cards.

Destination	Fare	Time
Downtown D.C. (Metro Center)	$16-22	15-20 min
Capitol Hill	$20-25	15-25 min
Georgetown	$25-35	20-30 min
Dupont Circle	$20-28	20-25 min
National Mall	$17-22	10-20 min
Arlington (Pentagon City)	$12-18	10-15 min

Taxi fare structure: $3.50 base fare plus $0.54 per 1/4 mile. Additional $1.50 per extra passenger. Maximum fare within D.C. is $19.

Tip: During rush hour (7-9 AM, 4-7 PM), the Metro is often faster than taxi or rideshare due to D.C. traffic congestion.

Metro (Blue & Yellow Lines)

The Washington Metro connects DCA directly to downtown D.C., making it one of the most transit-accessible airports in the United States. The station is located at Terminal 2, connected via enclosed pedestrian bridges from National Hall.

From Terminal 1: Take the free airport shuttle or walk to Terminal 2 to access the Metro station.

To Downtown D.C. (Metro Center):

1. Follow signs to "Metro" in Terminal 2
2. Take Yellow Line direction Mt Vernon Sq or Blue Line direction Largo
3. Exit at Metro Center (4-5 stops, 15-20 minutes)

Ticket Type	Price
Single ride (SmarTrip card)	$2.00-$2.85
Maximum fare (any station)	$6.00
Day Pass	$13.00

Frequency: Every 6-12 minutes during peak hours, every 12-20 minutes off-peak Operating hours: Monday-Thursday 5:00 AM-12:00 AM; Friday 5:00 AM-1:00 AM; Saturday 7:00 AM-1:00 AM; Sunday 7:00 AM-12:00 AM

Key Metro Destinations from DCA

Destination	Line	Stops	Time
L'Enfant Plaza (National Mall)	Yellow	4	12 min
Metro Center (Downtown)	Yellow/Blue	5	15-20 min
Capitol South (Capitol Hill)	Blue	6	18 min
Gallery Place (Chinatown)	Yellow	5	17 min
Dupont Circle	Blue	7	22 min
Pentagon City (shopping)	Yellow/Blue	1	3 min

Note: Georgetown does not have a Metro station. Take Metro to Foggy Bottom-GWU or Rosslyn, then walk or take the DC Circulator bus.

SmarTrip Card

Purchase a reusable SmarTrip card at Metro station fare machines ($2 card fee plus fare value). Contactless payment via Apple Pay, Google Pay, and credit cards is also accepted at fare gates.

DCA offers multiple parking options with the first 60 minutes free in terminal garages for pickups and drop-offs.

On-Site Parking

Facility	Location	Rate
Parking 1 (Garage A)	Terminal 1	$6/hour, $29/day max
Parking 2 (Garage B/C)	Terminal 2	$6/hour, $29/day max
Economy Lot	Shuttle required	$19/day

Tips:

• First 60 minutes free in terminal garages (Parking 1 & 2) for passenger pickup/drop-off
• Reserve online at flyreagan.com for guaranteed space
• Economy lot shuttles run every 10-15 minutes

Off-Site Alternatives

Several hotels in Crystal City offer park-and-fly packages starting around $8-12/day with free shuttle service to DCA:

• Westin Crystal City
• Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria

DCA offers solid dining options with a strong local D.C. presence, particularly in Terminal 2.

Terminal 1 (Gates A)

• Bracket Room: Sports bar with American fare
• Matsutake Sushi: Japanese quick-service
• The Great American Bagel Bakery: Breakfast options
• Green Beans Coffee: Coffee and light bites

Terminal 2 (National Hall & Concourses)

Local favorites:

• Ben's Chili Bowl (Concourse B): D.C. institution, famous half-smokes and chili dogs
• CAVA (Concourse C): Mediterranean bowls and pitas
• Timber Pizza Co.: Local DC pizzeria
• Lucky Buns: Popular D.C. burger spot

Sit-down dining:

• Reservoir: French bistro, Provencal cuisine
• Kapnos Taverna (Gate 37): Greek-inspired from local chef Mike Isabella
• Wolfgang Puck Bar & Bites: Upscale bar food

Quick service:

• Five Guys: Burgers and fries
• &pizza: D.C.-based custom pizza chain
• Elevation Burger: Organic grass-fed burgers
• Legal Sea Foods: New England seafood

Coffee & drinks:

• Starbucks: Multiple locations in Concourses B and C
• Zeke's Coffee: Local D.C. roaster
• Vino Volo: Wine bar with flights and small plates
• Atlas Brew Works: Local D.C. craft brewery

Budget tip: 7-Eleven stores throughout the terminal offer affordable snacks and drinks.

Free WiFi is available throughout Reagan National Airport.

Detail	Information
Network name	#DCA Free WiFi
Registration	Email address and zip code required
Time limit	Unlimited
Speed	Adequate for browsing and email; streaming possible

International travelers can bypass the zip code requirement by selecting "Yes" on the splash screen. Faster WiFi is available in airline lounges.

SIM card options at DCA are limited. For best selection and prices, consider purchasing outside the airport.

At the Airport

• InMotion (Terminal 2): Carries Ultra Mobile SIM cards and travel accessories

Better Alternatives

Pentagon City Mall (one Metro stop from DCA on Yellow/Blue line):

• AT&T Store: Full range of prepaid plans
• Verizon Store: Prepaid options available
• Apple Store: eSIM activation for compatible phones

Typical Prepaid Pricing

Carrier	Price	Data
AT&T Prepaid	$30-50	5-15 GB
T-Mobile Prepaid	$25-50	5-15 GB
Ultra Mobile	$19-49	3-10 GB

Tip: If your phone supports eSIM, consider purchasing a US eSIM online before arrival for immediate connectivity.

ATMs are located throughout both terminals in landside and airside areas. Major banks represented include Bank of America, PNC, and Capital One.

Currency

• United States: US Dollar (USD)
• Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout the airport and D.C. area

Currency Exchange

Travelex counters are available in Terminal 2. However, airport exchange rates include significant markups.

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw USD from ATMs using a no-fee debit card
• Use credit cards with no foreign transaction fees
• Wise or Revolut for better exchange rates

Tip: The U.S. is largely card-friendly. Many businesses, including Metro fare machines, accept contactless payments. Carrying $50-100 in cash is sufficient for most needs.

DCA offers convenience retail and some local D.C. shops, though it's not a major shopping destination.

Notable Stores

• Smithsonian Museum Store: Gifts and souvenirs celebrating D.C.'s museums
• Politics and Prose: Local D.C. bookstore
• InMotion: Electronics and travel accessories
• Hudson News: Magazines, snacks, travel essentials

Duty-Free

Limited duty-free shopping is available for international departures (primarily flights to Canada and Caribbean destinations with beyond-perimeter exemptions).

Note: DCA is primarily a domestic airport. For extensive duty-free shopping before international travel, Dulles (IAD) offers more options.

DCA has a strong lounge selection for a primarily domestic airport, with options for American Express cardholders, Capital One cardholders, and airline elite members.

Credit Card Lounges

American Express Centurion Lounge (Terminal 2, near South Security):

• Access: American Express Platinum, Centurion cardholders
• Hours: Sunday-Friday 5:00 AM-9:00 PM; Saturday 5:00 AM-7:00 PM
• Amenities: 12,000 sq ft, complimentary food and cocktails, showers, D.C.-themed art
• Quality: One of the better Centurion locations; celebrates D.C. architecture

Capital One Landing (Terminal 2, near Concourse D):

• Access: Capital One Venture X cardholders
• Hours: Daily, varies
• Amenities: Jose Andres-curated Spanish tapas, elevated dining experience
• Notes: More dining-focused than traditional lounge; partnership with Jose Andres Group

Airline Lounges

American Airlines Admirals Club (3 locations):

• Concourse E: Largest at 14,500 sq ft, 236 seats, views of Washington Monument. Modern design opened 2022.
• Concourse C: Smaller location near gate C24. Hours: Sunday-Friday 4:15 AM-10:15 PM
• Concourse D: Currently undergoing renovation to add 50% more seating
• Access: Admirals Club members, AAdvantage Executive Platinum, oneworld Emerald/Sapphire, American Business/First

United Club (Terminal 2, Concourse B):

• Location: Across from gate B11
• Hours: Daily 5:30 AM-7:30 PM
• Access: United Club members, Star Alliance Gold, United Polaris/Business

Delta Sky Club (Terminal 2, Concourse B):

• Location: Above gate B15, take elevator
• Hours: Sunday-Friday 5:00 AM-9:30 PM; Saturday 5:00 AM-7:00 PM
• Access: Delta Sky Club members, Delta One, SkyTeam Elite Plus

Other

USO Lounge (Terminal 1):

• Access: Active military, veterans, military families
• Amenities: Comfortable seating, snacks, beverages

Several hotels in the Crystal City area offer easy access to DCA via free shuttle or short Metro ride.

Walking Distance / Direct Connection

Crystal City Marriott at Reagan National Airport

• 1.6 miles from airport, free shuttle
• Direct connection to Crystal City Metro
• From $200/night

Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport

• Free airport shuttle, 5-minute ride
• 10-minute walk to Crystal City Metro
• From $180/night

Near the Airport (Crystal City/Pentagon City)

• Westin Crystal City: 1 mile, free shuttle, from $190/night
• Hilton Crystal City: Free shuttle, convenient to Metro, from $170/night
• Hampton Inn Crystal City DCA: 1 mile, free shuttle, budget-friendly, from $140/night
• Courtyard Crystal City Reagan National: Free shuttle, from $160/night

Budget Options

• Holiday Inn Arlington: Shuttle service, from $120/night
• Days Inn Arlington: Basic accommodation, from $90/night

Tip: Crystal City and Pentagon City are directly on the Metro line, one stop from DCA. Staying in these areas provides easy access to both the airport and downtown D.C.

Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States and home to world-renowned museums, monuments, and government landmarks. Most major attractions are clustered around the National Mall, just 17-20 minutes from DCA by Metro.

Getting to Key Attractions

Destination	Travel Time	Route
National Mall	17 min	Metro Yellow to L'Enfant Plaza
Capitol Building	20 min	Metro Blue to Capitol South
White House	20 min	Metro Yellow/Blue to Metro Center + 10 min walk
Lincoln Memorial	25 min	Metro Blue to Foggy Bottom + 15 min walk
Georgetown	25-30 min	Metro Blue to Rosslyn + walk or Circulator bus
Smithsonian Museums	17 min	Metro Yellow to Smithsonian
Arlington National Cemetery	8 min	Metro Blue to Arlington Cemetery

Travel Tips

• Smithsonian Museums are free: All 19 Smithsonian museums on the National Mall have no admission charge
• Metro is the best way to get around: Purchase a SmarTrip card or use contactless payment
• Walk the Mall: The National Mall stretches 2 miles from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, perfect for walking
• Security screenings: Expect bag checks at monuments, museums, and government buildings
• Tipping: Standard 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars

Layover Recommendations

• 3-hour layover: Metro to Smithsonian station, quick walk through National Mall, view Capitol and Washington Monument exteriors
• 5-hour layover: Add National Air and Space Museum or National Gallery of Art (both free, right on the Mall)
• 7+ hour layover: Walk from Capitol to Lincoln Memorial, visit 2-3 museums, grab lunch in Penn Quarter

Day Trips from D.C.

• Old Town Alexandria: 15 minutes by Metro (King Street), historic waterfront dining
• Arlington National Cemetery: 8 minutes by Metro, includes JFK gravesite and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• Mount Vernon (George Washington's estate): 30 minutes by car or bus, $28 admission
• Annapolis, MD: 45 minutes by car, Naval Academy and charming harbor town

D.C. Food Specialties

• Half-smoke: D.C.'s signature sausage, best at Ben's Chili Bowl
• Mumbo sauce: Sweet and tangy condiment on wings and fries
• Ethiopian cuisine: D.C. has the largest Ethiopian population outside Africa; try U Street corridor
• Chesapeake crab cakes: Regional specialty, widely available