Washington DC Travel Guide

There are three major airports you can use to fly into Washington DC. You can land at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the Dulles International Airport, or the Baltimore/Washington International-Thurgood Marshall Airport. Most national airlines land into these airports with the exception of Southwest, which only flies into BWI.

Washington DC is a 5-hour flight from San Francisco. If you were coming from New York, it would only take you an hour to get there. From London, it's six hours and 18 hours if you'll fly from Sydney.

You can take airport transfers by train, bus, taxis, or shuttles. The Metro or the train is suggested for people who are flying light from the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. There are several hotels that are near the subway station. You can book a room in one of them.

If you had taken a flight that lands into the Dulles International Airport, you can take the Washington Flyer bus. It can transport you from the airport to the Metro station that's near the West Falls Church. Of course, the bus can drop you off anywhere in between. If the Washington Flyer is out of your way, you can try the WMATA bus.

Otherwise, you can simply hire a car or hail a taxi to take you right into the lobby of your reserved hotel room. You can arrange for a car prior to flying to Washington DC or you can make quick arrangements with the rental company as you get there. Between the two options, the former is your best bet.

If you are flying to Washington DC either for leisure or for business, it always pays to be prepared. Book and reserve your flight early so you don't have go through the headaches associated to flying, especially during the peak season.