Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport (DCA) Flights & Information

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is a mid-sized airport in Arlington, Virginia, serving the Washington, D.C. area. It primarily operates domestic flights and is home to eight airlines. The airport is easily accessible on public transportation and relatively simple to navigate, but can be busy. Here’s what you need to know for a stress-free travel experience.

Getting to and from the airport

Washington National Airport is located in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac River from D.C. proper. The airport is accessible by car or public transportation from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, and it’s possible to take the Metro between DCA and Washington Dulles International Airport.

Public transportation options

In my experience, public transportation is the best way to get to and from DCA. It has its own dedicated Metro stop, on the Yellow and Blue lines, and the D.C. Metro is notoriously clean and easy to use. It’s also the most affordable option, even if you need to get to destinations in nearby Maryland. Metrocards can be purchased at the station, which has an elevator for those with limited mobility or heavy luggage.

Parking and rental cars

Some passengers opt to drive to Washington National Airport and DCA has two parking garages. The rental car companies can be found in Parking Garage 1, which is accessible via free airport shuttle or on foot. Two companies, Avis and Budget, are located off-site and have dedicated shuttles.

If you live locally and need to park at DCA, there are two parking garages and one outdoor economy lot. All of the lots can be reserved in advance online, which I highly recommend doing as DCA gets busy and the lots fill up quickly. Parking Garage 1 is for those flying out of Terminal 1, while Parking Garage 2 serves Terminal 2. The economy lot, which is the most affordable choice, is accessible to both terminals.

Taxis and rideshares

Taxis are available from official taxi stands outside the airport terminals, and all taxis accept cash and credit cards. The taxi fares are metered, which means the cost can add up quickly, especially if you are going a longer distance. Taxis are best used to get to nearby destinations in Virginia or downtown D.C. Passengers can also use rideshare apps like Uber, Lyft, and ALTO, which may be cheaper than a taxi. There are specific pick-up locations for rideshares at each terminal.

Cycling and walking

Washington National Airport is in a unique location near the Mount Vernon Trail, which means passengers can actually walk or cycle to and from the airport. The airport has bike, e-bike and scooter racks available to use on a first-come, first-served basis outside both terminals. There is also a Capital Bikeshare station in Parking Garage 2, where passengers can rent bikes on the go. While it may seem unusual to walk or bike to your flight, it’s a good option if you are light on luggage.

Understanding the terminal layout

DCA has two terminals, located side by side and connected via a walkway. Both terminals have free WiFi and charging stations, and there is a children’s play area created in partnership with the National Children's Museum near the North security checkpoint. The terminals are adjacent to the Metro stop and Parking Garage 2, with Parking Garage 1 a short walk or free shuttle ride away. Buses are available between terminals. If you are connecting flights and have to change terminals, you’ll need to clear security again.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 (previously known as Terminal A) is the smaller of the two terminals, with only nine gates. It is home to Air Canada, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines, and doesn’t have any airport lounges. The services and shops are more limited than in Terminal 2, although passengers can find food and drink options like Dunkin Donuts and Boar’s Head Delicatessen. There are also a few shops, including gift shop CTY, which offers local souvenirs.

The USO lounge, which welcomes active duty and retired military personnel and their families, is located in Terminal 1, although passengers in either terminal can use it.

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 is the larger terminal with four separate gate sections designated by B, C, D, and E. It’s home to American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Alaska, United Airlines, and JetBlue. There are numerous food and drink choices available, including a few D.C. favorites like Ben’s Chili Bowl, an off-shoot of the iconic restaurant, and Good Stuff Eatery. There are also popular chains like Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Chick-Fil-A, and Five Guys Burgers. The gate sections are connected, so it’s worth seeking out your chosen restaurant if you have time.

Terminal 2 has five airline lounges and an American Express Centurion lounge, all of which can be found on the 3rd floor. There are three American Airlines’ Admirals Clubs, as well as a Delta Sky Club and a United Club, and passengers can access them based on airline elite status or class of service. The American Express Centurion lounge is available for members or specific Amex users paying for a day pass. In my experience, because DCA is a relatively small airport the lounges can get very busy.

Navigating airport security

There are three security checkpoint locations in Washington National Airport, one for Terminal 1 and two for Terminal 2. Travelers for Air Canada, Frontier, and Southwest should use the Terminal 1 checkpoint while those going to Terminal 2 can pick the checkpoint closest to their gate. The airport website posts live updates about the wait times for all three checkpoints and I recommend looking online before you select North or South security at Terminal 2 (South tends to have shorter lines, but it can vary).

Pre-screening programs TSA Precheck and CLEAR are both available at DCA. These allow passengers to use expedited security queues, although Washington National Airport has had some criticism for the lengthy lines at both TSA Precheck and CLEAR. Notably, the airport has a TSA Precheck Enrollment Center in Terminal 2 where travelers can sign up for the program via an appointment or walk-in.

DCA hosts very few international flights and doesn’t have its own dedicated customs and immigration arrivals checkpoint. Any arriving international passengers will undergo immigration and customs screening before boarding.

Airport hotels and layovers

Washington National Airport is technically in Virginia and the airport is adjacent to Crystal City, home to a large mall and tons of chain hotels. The restaurants, shops, and hotels are within walking distance of the airport, making it easy to spend a layover nearby. Some local hotels include Hilton Arlington National Landing, Crystal City Marriott at Reagan National Airport, and Hilton Garden Inn Reagan National Airport. Some hotels have free shuttles from DCA available outside the terminals.

Because DCA is connected to Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area by Metro, it’s possible to spend your layover in D.C. itself. The airport is on the Yellow and Blue Metro lines, which are easy to take into downtown D.C., including to the Smithsonian and the National Mall. If you have some time to kill between flights, I recommend using it as an opportunity to sightsee or visit one of D.C.’s free museums.

Alternative area airports

The Washington, D.C. area is served by three main airports, each with different pros and cons. Washington National Airport is the closest to the city center, however many passengers opt to use Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) instead. DCA tends to serve domestic travelers, while Dulles is more frequently used by those heading overseas. Flights from Washington National Airport can also be more expensive since the airport is so central to the city.

On the negative side, Dulles and BWI are more difficult to get to when staying in D.C. proper. It’s best to pick the airport that’s most convenient to where you are staying in the region and how you plan to get to and from the airport. I prefer DCA because I like to take the Metro there quickly, but Dulles and BWI also have public transportation options. Your choice of airline can also impact which airport is best for your travel plans.