Which airport?
 

I'll be in D.C. for a couple of days (mid Dec.). I'm flying in from the West coast I'm trying to decide where to fly into. Currently, I can get some really inexpensive flights into BWI (Baltimore), how far is it from D.C., is transp. easy? Are Dulles or Nat'l more practical?

Reagan national is right in the heart of DC could not be any more convenient. they call BWI, BWI because it is almost in baltimore. approx 30 miles out. you just have to weigh the cost vs. time thing.

Welcome to DC! That's DC, not Baltimore. Thus, you'll find it a nicer opening move to land at (Reagan) National and then use the Metro or a taxi to go downtown. When you consider air price, factor in the RT limo costs BWI-DC, not to mention time (you'd be using the BW Parkway to DC, and pity you if it's either rush "hour" ... LOL, add the "s" for the same of accuracy). Even Dulles is more practical than BWI. One final thought: folks on this board have reported huge lines through security at BWI ... while National is experiencing NO lines whatsoever. AND any flight to or from DCA will have that burly air marshall on board. DCA is also doing curbside check-in and curb-side boarding passes. Ah, if only other choices in life were this easy. Enjoy National Airport ... an art museum in its own right. Ciao

Well, a few years back I flew into DC for business and it was my first trip there since I was a kid. I flew into Baltimore because the fare was cheaper (cheap company) and I took a limousine to my hotel in DC proper. The price of the limousine was the same as a cab and under $100. What a great experience! The limo driver, like just about everyone I met in DC, was a history book of information and he gave me a little driving tour around town before depositing me at my hotel for no extra cost. <BR><BR>I've not flown into Reagan National but Dulles -- yuck.

Actually, Dulles really isn't any more convenient to downtown than BWI. Haven't flown out of BWI recently, but I've heard lots of horror stories about lines.<BR><BR>National is your best choice. Extremely convenient to downtown (you can take the subway).

BWI isn't nearly as much of a hassle as Dulles (which is ALWAYS the most expensive destination cross-country) -- and it's a smaller, more manageable airport. You can take a shuttle out to the Amtrak/commuter rail station to get into DC pretty easily; and there are also limo/bus shuttles directly into DC, although traffic is such that train might be more efficient.<BR><BR>I wouldn't go near National (and won't call it that other name -- PATCO buster) because of the price, the airspace congestion and security chokes. <BR><BR>BWI will take a little longer to get to DC and back, but not all that much and might well be worth the differential in fare prices. It's a nice airport.

Diana,<BR>As long as they are letting flights in/out of Reagan/National, I'll be paying the few extra $$$ and flying in there.<BR><BR>We live in No. Calif and used Priceline.com to get $275 RT flights from Sacto to Reagan over the past 4th of July weekend.<BR><BR>A beautiful $15 cab ride and we were in D'town DC, Metro Marriott in less than 10 mins.<BR><BR>I don't know if they changed the approach to Reagan since 9-11 but I always tried to sit on the left side of the plane so I could get the great view of Cap/Mall as the plane came down the Potomac landing pattern.<BR><BR>Kal

Great that you're back using DCA ... and the landing approaches are still from either N or S ... weather, winds, whatever. Security is reasonably fast so far ... and Mineta has set a goal of 10 minutes to get you through, everywhere. And DCA is not involved in the foreign flag passenger manifest issue that plagues BWI and Dulles with slow Customs searches. Welcome to DC ... via DCA. Ciao

I love National. It's a great airport. Dulles is where the security checkpoints choke the flow of traffic.

Narional is definitely the best choice if you can afford the extra cost over BWI. As others have mentioned, National is the most convenient to downtown, has a very nice view of the city on approach, and--because they aren't yet operating at full capacity since 9/11--they're a lot less crowded. For whatever reason (perhaps it's the fact that Southwest flies there?) BWI is almost always the cheapest of the three airports. Usually Dulles is even more expensive than National, although I do think it's slightly more convenient than BWI (maybe that's just my Virginia resident bias). <BR><BR>One other thing to keep in mind though--last I checked, you couldn't get any long distance non-stop flights in and out of National. If you want to fly non-stop from the West coast I'm pretty sure you'll have to go with Dulles or BWI.

How much luggage will you have?<BR><BR>If traveling light, I'd opt for the best airfare. Then instead of taking taxi or limo, I'd use public transportation.<BR><BR>BWI: weekdays, take the MARC commuter train from BWI to Union Station ($5 one way). Weekends, take the WMATA/Metro #B30 bus from BWI to the Greenbelt Metro station ($2), then use metro to get to, or near your destination.<BR><BR>DULLES: take the #5A Metro bus to either Rosslyn Metro Station (Arlington) or L'Enfant Plaza for $1.10<BR><BR>I've often found BIG price differences to the various airports ... and always traveling light (never more than 1 bag) I like the independance of being able to use buses and subways, and saving money for more important purchases.

You've pretty much heard all the pros and cons, but I can adds some personal recent experience at BWI.<BR><BR>Took a flight there last Sat. on Southwest. There were no long lines or delays. Everything moved along pretty crisply. There is construction at BWI, but it didn't appear to cause any delays getting in or out.

Add them all up, and you probably get DCA ... but really, folks, Diana told us up front she was coming here a couple of days (now here's the clincher ...) in mid Decemebr. Gasp, maybe she's back home and can tell us how she liked her trip. Yikes - I hoped she ignored the public transp. suggestions - metro buses, for crying out loud. Lucky some penny pincher didn't suggest walking south on the BW Parkway. Hope DC was fine for you! Ciao

I just realized that an earlier poster said National was in the "heart of DC" and none of us corrected that. National is in Arlington, Virginia. That's just across the Potomac from DC, but certainly not in DC.

Regarding my suggestion about availibility of public transportation, Leone writes "- metro buses, for crying out loud".<BR><BR>I stand by my original post. One doesn't usually charter private aircraft to travel somewhere, why the supposed need for private car? Metro moves more people each day than the number flying into/out of the DC area airports.<BR><BR>I qualified my post questioning how much luggage. I've taken the BWI route. The buses are fast, clean, and CHEAP, but not a good option for travelers burdened with luggage. I'd rather spend my limited funds on hotel, souveniers, and the flight itself.<BR><BR>Anyone with the money to blow, and the need to make an impression - hire a car service and have a ball. Few will choose the public transportation route, but it remains a travel option if necessary. (Right Leone is about the dates on Diana's travel though.) During DC's traffic jams, I may even beat the limo into town! (no X in my e-ddress!)