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 due to its proximity, there is plenty to see and do in Washington, so either airport is a convenient place to land and experience this magnificent city.

Washington D.C. is a city to suit any traveller. 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 doesn't have to be a problem and that's why here are the best tips for getting around as soon as you arrive in the city.

Shared transfer services are your best option for getting from any of the three airports to your hotel. Most are by car or minibus and many 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 gas.

Or you're exhausted from your plane trip and want to save some money so you can fully enjoy the activities Washington has to offer. Well, these services offer you comfort, safety, space and relaxation.

I have to tell you that ride-sharing 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 transfers 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 advantage of 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 disorientated by 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're only in Washington for a day, private transfer is your best option.

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

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

With just the details of your flight, you can reserve a date and time 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 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 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 private transfer services have child car seats and pet kennels in their catalogue if you are travelling with your pet. Just request them when you book your trip.

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

One of the most amazing 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 the system.

Metrorail fares range from €2 to €4 per person, depending on your destination, making it the cheapest way to get from the airport to your hotel.

The metro takes about 15-20 minutes to reach the city centre. It runs seven days a week with extended opening hours so you can make the most of the city's public transport service and see many of the city's best museums.

Washington Dulles International Airport and Baltimore's Thurgood Marshall International Airport are not served by the D.C. Metro. 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, convenient.

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

The city's public service from the airport is the Metrobus, which drops you off in the city centre.

Washington Dulles International Airport

The cost of the bus from Washington Dulles International Airport is no more than €10 per person. There are private services, but they are more expensive and do not drop you off in the city centre. I suggest that when you are on the Metrobus you pay with 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 cheapest way to get there.

Thurgood Marshall International Airport

If your flight landed at Thurgood Marshall International Airport, then the best way 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 underground to the station closest to your hotel.

The fare is around €10 and the journey time is around 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 advantages are that you can experience the dynamics and speed of the capital and, from there, have one of the best views of its breathtaking scenery, because its route usually passes through some pretty attractive places.

With Reagan Airport being the closest airport, the Metrobus system has several lines connecting the city. Just ask where you're staying if there's a Metrobus stop nearby and which line it belongs to.

Remember this tip: if the Metrobus drops you off closer to your hotel than the underground station, it's a great option, especially when thinking about luggage.

Practical information

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

Taxis will always be that friend who is there for you, an expensive but reliable friend. In general, taxis are fast, convenient and the drivers drive with skill because they know their city like the back of their hand.

Another advantage is that, being at the official taxi rank in the baggage claim area, you can hire a taxi quickly and conveniently if you have more than one person and several suitcases. Especially if you are visiting Washington in the middle of winter and don't want to wait so long for other public transport systems.

On the other hand, services such as 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 approximately 30 minutes from Reagan Airport; from Washington Dulles International Airport it is 45 minutes-1 hour and from Baltimore Thurgood Marshall International Airport 45 minutes-1 hour to downtown, where the city's main hotels 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 30min. 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's your first time in Washington, it's best to avoid this option on your 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 kilometres per hour.

Knowing this, airports offer countless possibilities for you to hire a private car to accompany you not only on your first trip to the hotel, but throughout your trip. It's a great option if you're staying in Washington for five days, so you can see and enjoy the city.

The airports have several car parks, perfect places for you to rent a car and pick it up. Also, the airport has a shuttle that drops you off at the exact car parks 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 first 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 plans. You may find that renting a car will make your trip more independent and comfortable.

It's good to know that there are applications where you can check the car parks that are available at that moment in your journey through the city: in the main avenues or hotels that have spaces available for you.

Most of Washington's museums have limitations on car parking on their premises, so use the apps and avoid these inconveniences so you can concentrate on having fun and exploring amazing museums that are often free, such as 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 journey. Comfortable and convenient spaces.