D.C. Airports

[bookgirl]

Friend and I are going to visit Washington DC. Going to try and stay near the Mall. Southwest flies to Reagan National and BWI. Which one is better?

Thanks!

 

[elphaba91]

I haven't actually been to either (I flew into Dulles and then took the train to NYC), but Reagan is much, much closer! From the Mall you can see planes coming in to land at Reagan whereas BWI is about an hour drive.

 

[dish rag]

I go into National as it's so much closer and easier. It's the only one I would fly into if going to D.C.

 

[SirDuff]

Definitely Reagan. Assuming that I have the choice, BWI would have to be a lot cheaper (like $100 or more) before I'd fly into it rather than DCA. I generally only use IAD or BWI if I'm flying internationally (which, admittedly is most of the time) as DCA cannot handle international flights (unless they are coming from countries/airports with CBP pre-clearance (e.g. if I'm flying to/from Toronto Pearson).

 

[Christine]

No question, DCA. However, if the price is significantly different then pick BWI.

 

[CynBeth]

If you choose BWI I believe the MARC train can take you from there to Penn Station in DC.

 

[mnrose]

We did this analysis for our Spring Break trip and there's not even really a debate IMO. Reagan wins hands down for convenience. You are only a few minutes from the attractions. You will spend AT LEAST an 1.5 or 2 hours getting from BWI to the city, depending on how you hit the train's schedule, and where you are staying....the train goes to Union station, which would involve yet another transfer to get to wherever you are staying (most likely). When you leave, you will need to allow the same amount of time. Whereas when we leave, it will be a 10-15 minute cab or Uber ride (and around $12-14 too, vs. more than that to get the 4 of us to BWI via the train). It would have to be a HUGE savings for me justify that added hassle, and it wasn't even true. It was the same.

 

[dish rag]

We did this analysis for our Spring Break trip and there's not even really a debate IMO. Reagan wins hands down for convenience. You are only a few minutes from the attractions. You will spend AT LEAST an 1.5 or 2 hours getting from BWI to the city, depending on how you hit the train's schedule, and where you are staying....the train goes to Union station, which would involve yet another transfer to get to wherever you are staying (most likely). When you leave, you will need to allow the same amount of time. Whereas when we leave, it will be a 10-15 minute cab or Uber ride (and around $12-14 too, vs. more than that to get the 4 of us to BWI via the train). It would have to be a HUGE savings for me justify that added hassle, and it wasn't even true. It was the same.

I agree, unless one is coming in on an international flight it makes no sense not to come in to Reagan.

 

[SirDuff]

We did this analysis for our Spring Break trip and there's not even really a debate IMO. Reagan wins hands down for convenience. You are only a few minutes from the attractions. You will spend AT LEAST an 1.5 or 2 hours getting from BWI to the city, depending on how you hit the train's schedule, and where you are staying....the train goes to Union station, which would involve yet another transfer to get to wherever you are staying (most likely). When you leave, you will need to allow the same amount of time. Whereas when we leave, it will be a 10-15 minute cab or Uber ride (and around $12-14 too, vs. more than that to get the 4 of us to BWI via the train). It would have to be a HUGE savings for me justify that added hassle, and it wasn't even true. It was the same.

And, depending on where you are, taking the Metro to Reagan is easy (though only a savings if you are a small number of people - I'm usually traveling alone so it is a savings).

I also just prefer Reagan as an airport - no trains or "moving lounges" to deal with and security lines always seem shorter (I have TSA precheck but even those are shorter at Reagan).

ETA - sorry, I'm talking about IAD not BWI as the other option.

 

[bcla]

If you choose BWI I believe the MARC train can take you from there to Penn Station in DC.

You mean Union Station, right?

 

[Lilacs4Me]

Reagan, hands down. It's small, parking is good, rental car area is close and convenient. The Metro runs right through it. and it is next to the Pentagon and Arlington, and across the river from everything else.

Funny enough, we flew into Reagan, then drove the rental car out to Reston, which is really close to Dulles. I'd still do it that way given the choice!

 

[mnrose]

And, depending on where you are, taking the Metro to Reagan is easy (though only a savings if you are a small number of people - I'm usually traveling alone so it is a savings).

I also just prefer Reagan as an airport - no trains or "moving lounges" to deal with and security lines always seem shorter (I have TSA precheck but even those are shorter at Reagan).

ETA - sorry, I'm talking about IAD not BWI as the other option.

We are 4 and Uber vs. metro is JUST about a wash....the place we are staying is 2 blocks from the metro....convenient for normal purposes, but I really don't care to drag the bags. LOL. So a car to and from is how we are doing it. Door to door service for a few bucks more. We are arriving and leaving after rush hour, so traffic won't be a thing for us.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Friend and I are going to visit Washington DC. Going to try and stay near the Mall. Southwest flies to Reagan National and BWI. Which one is better?

Thanks!

DCA - Reagan National. NOT. EVEN. CLOSE.

SERIOUSLY. DCA.




ETA: Just think about it... DCA is the airport the politicians all built/maintain for themselves -- none better or more convenient -- seriously.

 

[Mokat76]

Reagan all the way for all the reasons already stated.

 

[bookgirl]

Thanks guys. There was a third airport but I always hear people talk about BWI and Reagan. BWI is about $10 less so I think we'll go with Reagan.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

If you can get your flight significantly cheaper, go with that one. If not, go with Washington National Airport.

 

[Christine]

Thanks guys. There was a third airport but I always hear people talk about BWI and Reagan. BWI is about $10 less so I think we'll go with Reagan.

Dulles is the third one.

 

[maltdizzy]

I go into National as it's so much closer and easier. It's the only one I would fly into if going to D.C.

So few of us still call it "National" anymore. Most people stare at me in confusion when I say it.

 

[bcla]

Doesn't National have restrictions on the number of flights beyond a certain distance? When my folks visited D.C, they came home via Dulles because there were much more (and cheaper) options flying to San Francisco.

 

[bcla]

So few of us still call it "National" anymore. Most people stare at me in confusion when I say it.

I remember it being mentioned in Die Hard 2.