Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan Washington is one of three major airports in the Washington, D.C., region. A hub for American Airlines, DCA has plenty of domestic flight options here, including nonstop travel to 100 locations within the United States and a handful of destinations in Canada and the Bahamas.
The basics
Located just across the Pomatic River in Arlington, Virginia, Ronald Reagan Washington—named after the 40th president of the United States—is a mere 3.4 miles (5.5 kilometers) from Washington, D.C. That makes arriving in and departing from the capital a cinch: Dupont Circle is less than 20 minutes away by car, and the airport is even reachable by the city’s metro. For the ultimate hassle-free experience, consider booking a round-trip airport transfer that offers door-to-door hotel pickup and drop-off.
Things to know before you go
- Air Canada, Frontier, and Southwest are located in Terminal 1, while Alaska, Delta, United, American, and JetBlue are in Terminal 2.
- You’ll find plenty of pre- and post-security dining options, including vegetarian and gluten-free options. Travelers in a rush can order meals using their smartphones and enjoy a contactless pickup on arrival.
- Designated parking spaces are reserved for travelers with disabilities on both parking levels near the elevators and the Terminal 1 and 2 walkways. Free parking shuttles are accessible to people using wheelchairs.
- Head to the Historic Terminal A to check out a roster of rotating temporary art exhibits at the Gallery Walk, including two- and three-dimensional works by artists from the Baltimore-Washington area.
- The airport is equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi and offers free nursing stations, pet relief zones, smartphone charging stations, and a kids’ play area.
How to get there
Ride-sharing services are available from select pickup zones outside both terminals, while personal vehicles can pick up passengers curbside. Blue Line trains on the Metrorail system connect Terminal 2 to stops in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland (for Terminal 1, you can continue via the airport shuttle). Rental car counters are also available on the ground floor of Parking 1.
Trip ideas
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- National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
- East Potomac Park
- U.S. Air Force Memorial
- Tidal Basin
- Thomas Jefferson Memorial
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
- Nationals Park
- International Spy Museum
- Bureau of Engraving and Printing
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
- The Pentagon
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Potomac River
- Korean War Veterans Memorial
- National Museum of African Art