Cheap Flights to Washington DC (IAD)

Washington DC is the capital of the United States of America, home to the nation's government as well as numerous memorials, and the world's largest collection of free museums too. Past years have seen the city shed its dowdy image and it's now much more vibrant, with a good restaurant and bar scene and some pretty good nightlife too. This has meant that the popularity of flights to Washington has increased - they are no longer just the preserve of dignitaries and business types!

Washington DC flights are always popular, because there is always something happening in this hub, so you'll need to book early to get a good price. The same applies for finding yourself cheap Washington DC hotels. There are plenty to choose from, but they can easily get booked up when big events are happening.

You might think you have seen all that Washington DC has to offer - after all sights like the Lincoln Memorial, the National Mall have all featured heavily on our TV screens from everything from Presidential inaugurations to The Simpsons! But it's something else to be right there, so get yourself a flight to Washington DC in 2013 or 2014!

Flights To Washington DC

The typical length of direct Washington DC flights from the UK is about eight hours, although you can save yourself a reasonably tidy sum by looking at indirect Washington DC flights as well. These take upwards of 12 hours, but can take over 30 so be sure to do your research so you can properly trade off between travelling time and cost. You don't want to spend all your holiday in transit!

Most flights to Washington DC arrive into Dulles International Airport which is 26 miles away from the centre of the city. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is far closer but it only serves domestic flights, so you'll have to be on an indirect Washington DC flight, or on a multi-destination holiday in the USA! If you're after the nicest way to arrive, then you should also check for flights to Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. This is in nearby Baltimore, but there are plenty of choices when it comes to onward travel.

If you're arriving into Dulles International Airport here are your choices when it comes to ground transportation after you arrive in Washington DC on your flight:

Metrobus - the cheapest way to arrive, expect to take around 60 minutes to get into the heart of the city. Services run every 40 minutes during the week and every 60 minutes at the weekend, so you might be in for a bit of a wait though.

Taxi - there is only one taxi provider serving the airport so don't expect to be able to cut a deal! Prices are fairly steep, although if you can find people to share with whilst in the air on your flight into Washington this is a great way to get there. Taxis take around the same time as the Metrobus, with journey times of around an hour.

Shuttle Bus - a shared ride into the city, you can get a discount on multiple travellers. Services leave when they are full, or no later than 20 minutes after the first person embarked. Again, expect journey times of around an hour.

Coach - is a shuttle between the airport and the metro system, running every half hour. There are discounts on purchasing a return ticket and you should expect a travelling time of around 20 minutes to the station, and a further 20 minutes on the metro once you board.

Car hire - of course, you could also make your own way, and this sprawling city is a good place to have your own vehicle. Particularly good if you're planning on making day trips.

Getting Around Washington DC

Unlike most other cities in the USA, Washington DC is built for walking! It's the fittest city in the country, and it's not hard to see why when you get out and about after Washington DC flights land and you see that rare thing - lots of pavements! So take some comfy shoes and get out and about exploring. The Metrorail system is a network of five rail lines and is another efficient option for hopping around the city, whilst the DC Circulator reaches parts that the rail doesn't cover. Taxis are rife if you are at street level and need to cover ground quickly.

What To See In Washington DC

With the White House and the Capitol building towering in pristine white over acres of greenery you are never far from a point of interest after arriving on cheap flights to Washington DC. There are numerous other attractions too, all well worth a visit. The Smithsonian Museum and the Kennedy Centre provide ample entertainment and information for adults and kids, whilst the Washington Memorial and Lincoln Memorial are both historic sites well worth a look at.

If you want to get a little further our, try the National Cathedral, the National Zoo, the National Arboretum or even Washington's house - Mount Vernon. Try our Washington DC guide for more ideas as well as money saving tips.