Washington DC which airport

[Lynn CC]

is closest to Verizon Center? I'm trying to make reservations, there is a choice of 3 airports...thanks for your help!

 

[punkin]

reagan national

 

[LadyyRedd]

As punkin said, Reagan Nat'l is closest, but I think a huge pain to get in and out of. BWI isn't all that far. Dulles is the furthest.

Kimya

 

[mom2boys]

Traffic is bad at Reagan National but you can always take Metro.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Regan National is great! You can go out to the Metro at the airport and its a inexpensive ride!

 

[rascalmom]

We were in the DC area for two weeks last year. We flew into Reagan National, but my mom joined us mid-trip and flew in & out of BWI. Reagan was MUCH easier. I would guess it is nearly 30 miles to BWI and traffic was bumper-to-bumper both ways.

I would definitely use Reagan in the future - the Metro is easy! (and cabs were readily available - I think our fare was about $15 to the Hilton Garden Inn - not too far from the Verizon Center - for four of us.

 

[tngramma]

I agree Reagan is the best airport. Anywhere you go in D.C. traffic is going to be bad but Metro is very accessible from this airport.

 

[Christine]

Reagan National, hands down, is the best. If it is CONSIDERABLY cheaper to fly in and out of Dulles, I would do that also.

 

[JunieJay]

You definately would not fly into anywhere other than National Airport if you are staying by the Verizon Center. If you were staying in Suburban Maryland I'd tell you to fly into BWI or Dulles if you were staying in suburban Virginia, but downtown D.C. the only airport to use is National. As others have said, the Metro is very easy to use. You simply walk out of National Airport and onto the Metro, and take the yellow line to Chinatown, and you're where you need to be.

 

[Lynn CC]

Thanks
We will use National the flights are reasonable from Boston.
Is a carry-on allowed on the Metro? The metro sounds like the best way to beat traffic, we use the T in Boston so I don't think we will get lost!

Thanks so much everyone

 

[Christine]

Thanks
We will use National the flights are reasonable from Boston.
Is a carry-on allowed on the Metro? The metro sounds like the best way to beat traffic, we use the T in Boston so I don't think we will get lost!

Thanks so much everyone

Yes, you can bring luggage on the Metro.

 

[PlutoPony]

But you cannot eat or drink on Metro - big no no

 

[kmebee]

BWI is a PAIN to get into D.C from in my opinion. Reagan Nat'l is always my first choice & Dulles 2nd. I travel there quite a bit for work.

 

[rgf207]

BWI is the easiest airport of the 3 but most difficult to get into DC. I would choose dulles over Reagan because of the traffic because I hate traffic

 

[mickeyboat]

Sorry to barge in, but I am going to Rockville for a Wedding in December, and it looks like the hotel is the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Executive Meeting Center). Which airport should I fly in to - it looks like all three are about the same distance away. There is a metro station right across the street from the hotel, so I am thinking about Reagan National, but I can get better fares into BWI. I am so very confused about the whole thing.

I almost have DH convinced to drive!

Denae

 

[rgf207]

Sorry to barge in, but I am going to Rockville for a Wedding in December, and it looks like the hotel is the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Executive Meeting Center). Which airport should I fly in to - it looks like all three are about the same distance away. There is a metro station right across the street from the hotel, so I am thinking about Reagan National, but I can get better fares into BWI. I am so very confused about the whole thing.

I almost have DH convinced to drive!

Denae

Check the cost of the rental car out of BWI and see if that makes the deal better/worse. If Metro is a big thing, than go with reagan.

To take metro, take the Yellow line towards Gallery Place/Chinatown and switch to the red-line going towards Shady Grove Dont' get on the red line going only to Grosvenor-Strathmore since that's not far enough. If you get on that one, you will have to get off and then get on another train. It just takes longer

here is a map of the metro rail system
http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm

 

[mickeyboat]

Check the cost of the rental car out of BWI and see if that makes the deal better/worse. If Metro is a big thing, than go with reagan.

To take metro, take the Yellow line towards Gallery Place/Chinatown and switch to the red-line going towards Shady Grove Dont' get on the red line going only to Grosvenor-Strathmore since that's not far enough. If you get on that one, you will have to get off and then get on another train. It just takes longer

here is a map of the metro rail system
http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm

Thanks, you're the best.
Denae

 

[Christine]

I *think* you can catch the MARC train from BWI airport. not sure where that puts you but I know that there is a way to pick up the Metro from wherever the MARC train drops off. Since I don't spend ANY time in that area, I am clueless.

Dulles airport is not far at all from Rockville; however, depending upon when you get in, the trip around the top part of the beltway can be brutal. Also, no Metro from Dulles.

My top preference is always Reagan but I can usually never afford to fly out of that airport. Also, realize that the Metro trip from Reagan to Rockville is not necessarily a quick one but certainly not bad.

 

[NewJersey]

I *think* you can catch the MARC train from BWI airport. not sure where that puts you but I know that there is a way to pick up the Metro from wherever the MARC train drops off. Since I don't spend ANY time in that area, I am clueless.

Dulles airport is not far at all from Rockville; however, depending upon when you get in, the trip around the top part of the beltway can be brutal. Also, no Metro from Dulles.

My top preference is always Reagan but I can usually never afford to fly out of that airport. Also, realize that the Metro trip from Reagan to Rockville is not necessarily a quick one but certainly not bad.

They can take the MARC into Union Station and hop on the Red Line. Amtrak (more expensive) also stops at BWI airport and goes to New Carolton (end of Orange Line) if it's the Regional train or straight to Union Station if it's the Acela Express.

 

[librarygal]

You can take a Metrobus from the BWI airport to the Greenbelt metro station for a few bucks.