Reagan, Dulles, or BWI: Which Washington Airport to Use

Reagan National (DCA)

Closest to downtown, on the Metro, and limited by a perimeter rule to flights under about 1,250 miles with a handful of exceptions. American's hub. Fares run higher for the convenience.

Dulles (IAD)

United's hub and the region's international gateway, 26 miles out, now on the Silver Line. Best for long-haul and West Coast nonstops.

Baltimore (BWI)

Southwest's East Coast base and usually the cheapest of the three for domestic travel. About an hour from downtown Washington by MARC train or car.

Getting downtown

Reagan National is the only one on the Metro's main system, four stops and about 20 minutes from downtown on the Blue and Yellow lines, which makes it the easiest airport in the region if you are staying central. Dulles now has its own Silver Line station, roughly 50 minutes to downtown, or a faster drive off-peak. BWI is reached by MARC and Amtrak trains to Union Station, about 35 to 45 minutes, plus a shuttle from the terminal to the rail station.

The DCA perimeter rule

Reagan National caps most flights at about 1,250 miles to spread long-haul traffic to Dulles, with a small number of exempted longer routes to cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. In practice that means DCA covers the East, Midwest, and Texas well but has few West Coast nonstops, so if you are headed west and want a nonstop, Dulles is usually the answer.

Parking and fares

Reagan is compact with garages steps from the terminals but the highest fares and parking rates of the three, the price of its convenience. Dulles and BWI have cheaper parking in exchange for the longer trip. BWI is Southwest's East Coast base and typically posts the lowest domestic fares in the region, which is why it is worth pricing even when it is the furthest to reach.

Which to pick

• Short domestic trip, staying central, convenience over price: Reagan National (DCA).
• International, a West Coast nonstop, or the Virginia suburbs: Dulles (IAD).
• The lowest domestic fare, especially on Southwest, and worth the extra travel time: Baltimore (BWI).
• The Washington route page covers DCA and IAD; Baltimore has its own pages. Call (708) 866-8751 to compare all three.