Transfers to/from Washington DC

Washington is served by three major airports in the region: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Although Ronald Reagan is the most convenient because of its proximity, there is plenty to see and do in Washington, so any airport is convenient for you to land and experience this magnificent city.

Washington D.C. is a city to suit any traveler. There are those who want to save on transportation and also those who need the convenience and comfort of their trip. The transfer between the airport and your hotel does not have to be a problem and that is why here I give you the best tips to get around as soon as you arrive in the city.

Shared transfer services are your best option when it comes to getting from any of the three airports to your hotel. Most of them are done in cars or minibuses and many of them are door-to-door services.

The particularity or focus of these transfers is to offer a shared experience with other users. This will also be particularly useful if you are only in Washington for two days, so that you can save as much time as possible.

Imagine it's your first visit to Washington and you want to know all about the Capitol and the city, but you don't really know what the traffic in the city is like and the cost of gasoline.

Or you are exhausted from the trip you made by plane and you want to save some money to fully enjoy the activities Washington has to offer. Well, these services offer you comfort, safety, space and relaxation.

I have to tell you that shared shuttle services make your trip more economical and cost effective. No kidding. These services allow you to save between 50% and 70% of your investment in transportation to your hotel.

And not because it is cheaper the quality is affected, because most of these services have qualified and bilingual staff that will make your trip a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Take the opportunity to take one of the many night tours of Washington that you can schedule during the course of your trip. It will end up being an introduction to the city, so make the most of it!

Practical information

• Travel time: From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, approximately 30 minutes. From Washington Dulles International Airport 45 min to 1 hour, while from Baltimore Thurgood Marshall International Airport 45 min to 1 hour.
• Price: can be in the range of 25 or 50 €.
• Advantages of using this method: 24 hour service. Bilingual drivers. Environmentally friendly. Comfortable and convenient spaces.

I know how cumbersome it is to arrive somewhere and get disoriented with the language and different cultural codes. Taking a private transfer to your hotel from the airports helps save money and the stress of finding your way around the map.

The private transfer guarantees safety and comfort so that you don't waste time and enjoy the first sights the city has to offer. Also, if wasting time is a priority because you will only be in Washington for one day, don't doubt that a private transfer is your best option.

From the three airports the distances and times are various. I recommend booking your flight at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport as it is the closest to downtown and can take at least 30 minutes.

These companies usually have bilingual and highly trained drivers; they know most of the routes and know all the offers the city has to offer. In addition, they offer a 24-hour service for you. The cars driven by these companies are characterized for being comfortable and spacious.

With only the details of your flight, it is possible to reserve the date and time stipulated and that's it! When you arrive at the airport there will be a driver with your name written on a signpost and smiling to welcome you on your first trip to the hotel, where you will see many of the city's monuments.

Practical information

• Travel Time: From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport approximately 30 min. From Washington Dulles International Airport 45 min- 1 hour. From Baltimore Thurgood Marshall International Airport 45 min-1 hour.
  -Price: can be in the range of 50 or 100 €, depending on luggage and distances.
• Advantages of using this method: 24 hour service. Bilingual drivers. Luxury, comfortable and spacious cars.

Traveller Tip

Most of the private transfer services have in their catalog car seats for children and kennels for pets if you are traveling with them. You just have to request it in your travel reservation.

You can't go to Washington without using, even once, its Metrorail subway system during your trip. It's the cheapest transportation system you'll be able to use in the capital and you'll be grateful for every penny you save.

One of the most incredible things about the Metrorail is its direct connection to Reagan Airport via a pedestrian bridge that will take you directly to the Blue and Yellow lines of its system.

The price of the subway ticket is in the range of 2 € and 4 € per person, depending on the destination, making this the most economical way to get from the airport to your hotel.

With the metro it takes about 15 to 20 minutes to reach the city center. It operates seven days a week with quite extended schedules so you can take full advantage of the service offered by public transport in the city and thus, know many of the best museums in the city.

Washington Dulles International Airport and Baltimore's Thurgood Marshall International Airport do not have Metro service to D.C. But don't worry, Washington has more options to make your trip to your hotel a smooth one.

Practical information

• Travel Time: From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport 15 min - 20 min.
• Price: can be in the range of 2 or 4 €.
• Advantages of using this method: Fast, safe, environmentally friendly, practical.

Although neither Washington Dulles International Airport nor Baltimore's Thurgood Marshall International Airport is served by Metro to D.C., public and private bus service is available.

The public service offered by the city from the airport is the Metrobus which drops you off downtown.

Washington Dulles International Airport

The cost of the bus from Washington Dulles International Airport has a price that does not exceed 10 € per person. There are private services, but they are more expensive and do not drop you off downtown. I suggest that when you are on the Metrobus you pay with the exact change in dollars.

The trip from this airport by bus takes about 50 minutes, depending on the day and traffic. Buses usually run every half hour. If your plane lands at Dulles, this is the most economical means of transportation.

Thurgood Marshall International Airport

If your flight landed at Thurgood Marshall International Airport, then the best option to get to your hotel cheaply is the Metrobus, which will drop you off at the Greenbelt station. At this stop, you can take the Green Line subway to the closest station to your hotel.

The price is around 10 € and the travel time is about an hour and a half. Of course, everything is subject to city traffic.

Reagan Airport

If you are at Reagan Airport, you also have the opportunity to take the Metrobus. The advantage is that you will be able to experience the dynamics and speed of the capital and from that moment, have one of the best views of its breathtaking landscapes, because its route usually passes through quite attractive places.

As Reagan Airport is the closest airport, the Metrobus system has several lines that connect the city. You just have to ask at the place where you are staying, if there is a Metrobus stop nearby and which line it belongs to.

Remember this tip: if the Metrobus leaves you closer to your hotel than the subway station, it is an excellent option, especially when thinking about your luggage.

Practical information

• Travel Time: From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport approx. 45 min. From Washington Dulles International Airport 1 hour. From Baltimore Thurgood Marshall International Airport 1 hour and 30min.
• Price: can be in the range of 10 €.
• Advantages of using this method: 24 hour service. Environmentally friendly. You see the city.

Cabs will always be that friend that's there for you, an expensive but reliable friend. In general, cabs are fast, convenient and the drivers drive skillfully because they know their city like the back of their hand.

Another advantage is that, being at the official cab stand located in the baggage claim area, you will be able to hire a cab quickly and conveniently if you come with more than one person and have several suitcases. More if you are visiting Washington in the middle of winter and do not want to wait so long for the other public transportation systems.

On the other hand, services like Uber or Lyft guarantee you a reservation in advance through their apps. The price from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is around 30 €, although depending on the destination the cost can go up or down.

Using this service you can be in downtown Washington in about 30 minutes from Reagan Airport; from Washington Dulles International Airport increases to 45 minutes-1 hour and from Baltimore Thurgood Marshall International Airport 45 min-1 hour to downtown, where the main hotels of the city are located.

Practical Information

• Travel time: from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport approximately 25 minutes. From Washington Dulles International Airport 50 minutes. From Baltimore Thurgood Marshall International Airport 1 hour and 30 min. All these calculations assuming you are going downtown.
• Price: can be in the range of 30 €-60 €.
• Advantages of using this method: 24 hour service. Fast. You see the city.

If it is your first time in Washington it is best to avoid this option on the first day without first getting used to the city's traffic and knowing its rules, unless you have plenty of time to spare. For example, the speed limit on D.C. roads is set at 32 kilometers per hour.

Knowing this, the airports offer countless possibilities for you to rent a private car to accompany you not only on your first trip to the hotel, but throughout your trip. It is a very good option if you are staying five days in Washington, so you can see and enjoy the city.

The airports have several parking lots, perfect places for you to rent your car and pick it up. Also, the airport has a shuttle that drops you off at the exact parking lots where the rental car companies are located.

I suggest you book your car in advance on their websites or apps. In Terminal A, located on the second floor of Reagan Airport, you will find the ticket offices where you can pay or ask for your reservation that you made days before.

The rental price varies depending on which company you hire and the offers they have for your travel plan. You may find that renting a car will make your trip more independent and comfortable.

It is good to know that there are applications where you can check the parking lots that are available at that moment in your route through the city: in the main avenues or hotels that have spaces available for you.

Most museums in Washington have limitations when it comes to parking cars in their facilities, so use the apps and avoid these inconveniences so you can just focus on having fun and exploring amazing museums that are usually free like the Smithsonian. The car should be a help and not a financial burden.

Practical information

• Travel time: From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport approximately 30 minutes. From Washington Dulles International Airport 45 min- 1 hour. From Baltimore Thurgood Marshall International Airport 45 min-1 hour.
• Price: can be in the range of $50 per day, depending on the distance you will travel.
• Advantages of using this method: 24 hour service. Independence and autonomy in your trip. Comfortable and convenient spaces.