Washington D.C.

Travel to Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. has three international airports, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is the closest, with Washington Dulles International Airport the next closest and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport the furthest away. The flights costs to all three are broadly similar, particularly if you can be flexible on flight times and dates. The flight time is approximately seven and a half hours with the vast majority of flights going direct.

On arrival in Washington D.C.

You can get into the city on the metro from Ronald Regan Washington National Airport, but you'll have to catch a bus from Washington Dulles Airport if you want to use public transport. Baltimore-Washington International Airport is on the commuter train line and is also served by several buses. All the airports have the usual taxis and car hire options.

Getting around Washington D.C.

The centre of Washington D.C. is just perfect for walking. With plenty of attractions clustered around the National Mall the short distances can be covered quickly. Driving isn't much fun in the centre of the city so unless you're making journeys to the suburbs or beyond it's probably best to rely on the public transport system or taxis for longer journeys. The metro system covers a reasonable distance and should take you to most of the attractions you want to visit, and the circulator buses fill in the gaps. The commuter bus system is much more confusing and should probably be avoided unless you have a local guide or an intrepid spirit!

Travelling further afield

Should you want to see more of the country after your visit to the capital there are several options. The one favoured by locals is to head back to one of Washington D.C.'s airports and catch a regional flight. This is the fastest option but also the most expensive. For the cheapest option, try the legendary Chinatown Bus, which revolutionised travel on the East Coast and helped many a thrifty immigrant seek fortune elsewhere. This bus, and its modern day competitors, can get you to nearly every town you could hope for on the East Coast. For a capital city, Washington D.C. is not very well connected by train, but services do run to Boston, Richmond, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Most people, though, prefer to hire a car in Washington D.C. and take on the spirit of the great American road trip.