Currently, September is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight to Washington, D.C. (average of $280). Flying to Washington, D.C. in June will prove the most costly (average of $398). There are multiple factors that influence the price of a flight so comparing airlines, departure airports and times can help keep costs down.
January
$308
February
$303
March
$358
April
$332
May
$333
June
$398
July
$378
August
$295
September
$280
October
$303
November
$328
December
$291
Peak Season
The peak season for tourists to take flights to Washington, D.C. are between March and August. March/April is particularly busy for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a large well-attended event held over three weeks. Other busy periods include the time when Congress is in session, and from mid-January through June, when lobbyists and demonstrators fill up the hotels and restaurants. It is recommended to book flights to Washington, D.C. in advance during this period.
Off Season
The quietest times are late August into early September and the period between Thanksgiving and mid-January. Winters in Washington, D.C. are cool, with the average temperature from mid-December to mid-February hovering around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. D.C. can also experience some snow during this season. These times are when Washington, D.C. is the coldest, but you are more likely to find the cheapest flights to Washington, D.C. and better hotel rates.
WAS Temperature | 35.6 - 80.6 °F |
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If weather is an important factor for your trip to Washington, D.C., use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, July is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 80.6 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 35.6 F).
The best times to book flights to Washington, D.C. weather-wise are spring and autumn, when the weather is at its most pleasant and warm. Summers can get very hot and humid with temperatures generally ranging between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but sometimes as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit. When searching for cheap flights to Washington, D.C. book outside of major annual events such as the 4th of July as prices for flight tickets will increase. If you’re not a budget traveler then celebrating this significant event in the capital of the United States of America would be a wonderful experience, especially for the iconic fireworks display.
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I was traveling with a companion that utilizes a scooter to get around. We have flown together many times and used other airlines. Southwest by far is the most accommodating airline in the fleet your staff Makes the accessibility easy and convenient for for this type of travel. We would personally like to think the flight teams of our two flights for being very accommodating and helpful throughout our trip.
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Reviews
I was traveling with a companion that utilizes a scooter to get around. We have flown together many times and used other airlines. Southwest by far is the most accommodating airline in the fleet your staff Makes the accessibility easy and convenient for for this type of travel. We would personally like to think the flight teams of our two flights for being very accommodating and helpful throughout our trip.
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Overall
Comfort
Entertainment
Boarding
Crew
Reviews
I was traveling with a companion that utilizes a scooter to get around. We have flown together many times and used other airlines. Southwest by far is the most accommodating airline in the fleet your staff Makes the accessibility easy and convenient for for this type of travel. We would personally like to think the flight teams of our two flights for being very accommodating and helpful throughout our trip.
Food
Overall
Comfort
Entertainment
Boarding
Crew
Reviews
I was traveling with a companion that utilizes a scooter to get around. We have flown together many times and used other airlines. Southwest by far is the most accommodating airline in the fleet your staff Makes the accessibility easy and convenient for for this type of travel. We would personally like to think the flight teams of our two flights for being very accommodating and helpful throughout our trip.
Food
Overall
Comfort
Entertainment
Boarding
Crew
Reviews
I was traveling with a companion that utilizes a scooter to get around. We have flown together many times and used other airlines. Southwest by far is the most accommodating airline in the fleet your staff Makes the accessibility easy and convenient for for this type of travel. We would personally like to think the flight teams of our two flights for being very accommodating and helpful throughout our trip.
Food
Overall
Comfort
Entertainment
Boarding
Crew
Reviews
I was traveling with a companion that utilizes a scooter to get around. We have flown together many times and used other airlines. Southwest by far is the most accommodating airline in the fleet your staff Makes the accessibility easy and convenient for for this type of travel. We would personally like to think the flight teams of our two flights for being very accommodating and helpful throughout our trip.
Washington, D.C., formally known as the District of Columbia and often referred to as “Washington” or “D.C.”, was founded in 1791 to serve as the new national capital. The country’s capital is home to the President of the United States, the Senate, the House of Representatives and hundreds of memorials paying homage to the country’s vibrant, and often turbulent, past. It also has some of the nation’s most important historic monuments.
There’s more than politics to this city, however. Its museums and art galleries are famed around the world. Entertainment gurus will awe at the sight of Dorothy’s ruby slippers and Fonzie’s leather jacket at the Smithsonian American History Museum. Take a walk through the First Ladies exhibition and admire the inaugural gowns of Lady Bird Johnson, Jackie Kennedy and more. The National Mall – a green park stretching from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial – is a common ground for protests and demonstrations. Other attractions include the National Zoo, the International Spy Museum, and check out the National Museum of Health and Medicine if you have time. It’s a museum you won’t soon forget. Of course you also have the White House, the Jefferson Memorial, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and much more.
You will discover some great seafood restaurants, steak houses, sushi bars, Italian restaurants and nearly any cuisine you crave. Some of the world’s best chefs have restaurants in the D.C. area. If you like sports, the Washington Nationals baseball team and the Washington Redskins football team are the two prominent professional franchises in the city. There are numerous discos and nightclubs in the Georgetown area. There are also intimate comedy clubs featuring some terrific political comedians.
So, whether you’re here for a business trip, checking out the museums and monuments, or cheering on the Nationals, there is an endless supply of activities that await you when you book flights to Washington, D.C. Here are some tips to help you plan and enjoy the smoothest possible trip.
Flights to the Washington, D.C. area land at either Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which is the closest commercial airport to the capital (about 3 miles), or Dulles International Airport (IAD) 26 miles west of the city, which is the larger of the two. Most international flights arrive at Dulles. To reach Washington, D.C. from Dulles, the quickest way is to catch the Silver Line Express Bus to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station, an adult fare costs just a few dollars each way. Taxis are available on the lower level of the main terminal outside of the baggage claim to provide transportation to your lodging accommodations. Shuttle van services are also available. If renting a car from the Main Terminal companies provide free shuttles to the rental lot. The Fairfax Connector shuttle bus also picks up passengers from the second curb next to the baggage claim and stops at the Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum, the Herndon-Monroe Park and Ride, and L’Enfant Plaza in D.C. The city center from Ronald Reagan airport is much closer, and you can either use the Metrorail (subway), bus or a taxi to get there in a short amount of time. Here are some in-depth guides to both of these airports in Washington, D.C. for your reference.
Washington is an easy city to get around: the center is the area around the National Mall. This area is easily accessible on foot, with most museums and monuments within easy walking distance. The streets in Washington are laid out in a grid, with numbered streets going in one direction and alphabetized streets going the other. The city is divided into four quadrants, with the Capitol building centering them all. Most of the major sights are within walking distance, but you can easily take the bus or Metrorail if you get tired of walking. Bicycling is also very popular in the city; both locals and tourists cycle. Washington can get very hot in the summer months, so light clothes and plenty of water are recommended, especially if you plan on doing a lot of walking.
Interested in extending your vacation once your D.C. trip ends, or traveling to a new destination outside of D.C? Washington Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport accommodates a wide selection of airlines, including American Airlines, Jet Blue, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, making it easy to book an outbound flight.
Here are some common U.S. flight routes, along with some amazing flight deals:
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To get yourself to the Washington Dulles International Airport, the city offers both taxi services and ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft. The Silverline express bus also offers direct service between the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station and Dulles Terminal. The express bus ride takes approximately fifteen minutes to arrive at the airport, so be sure to plan your time accordingly. Shuttle services such as Super Shuttle, DC Car and Limo Service, and DC Airport Shuttle offer convenient shuttle service to Washington Dulles Airport as well. If you plan to take a shuttle, it’s always a good idea to contact your preferred service twenty-four hours in advance and schedule your ride to ensure a stress-free trip to the airport. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is much closer to the capital but depending on the time of the day the area can be quite busy so it’s likely a good idea to plan ahead for some traffic and a bustling terminal.
Once you choose a destination, be sure to check out our Washington, D.C. airport guides for more detailed travel information and helpful tips.