Transfer to/from - Washington National airport (DCA)

 

Public transportation services, licensed taxis and rideshare, private transfer companies and car rental services in Washington National airport (DCA)

Transportation

 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) stands out for its proximity to downtown Washington D.C., offering fast and direct connections via its own Metrorail station and organized zones for private transport.

Ride-sharing Apps

Uber, Lyft, and ALTO services are authorized to operate at the airport. Pick-up zones are clearly signed and segregated from private vehicle traffic to streamline the process.

Meeting Points:

  • Terminal 1: Exit through the doors on the baggage claim level and cross to the Third Curb (Curb 3).
  • Terminal 2: Arrivals Level (Baggage Claim). Exit through doors 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 and head to the Second Curb (Curb 2).
  • Rental Car Center: There is a designated stop in front of the shuttle bus stop.

Look for "App-Based Ride Share" signs and zones marked with green flags or banners.

Metro (Metrorail)

The airport station is directly connected to Terminal 2 via covered pedestrian walkways. If arriving at Terminal 1, you must walk through the pedestrian connector or take the "Airport Shuttle" bus to reach the station.

Lines and Destinations:

  • Blue Line: Connects south to Franconia-Springfield and north to Rosslyn, Metro Center, L'Enfant Plaza, and Downtown Largo.
  • Yellow Line: Connects south to Huntington and north to L'Enfant Plaza, Gallery Place, and Mt Vernon Square.

Hours:

  • Monday to Thursday: 5:00 am - 12:00 am.
  • Friday: 5:00 am - 1:00 am.
  • Saturdays: 7:00 am - 1:00 am.
  • Sundays: 7:00 am - 12:00 am.

Fares and Payment: Trip cost varies by distance and time of day (peak or off-peak), generally ranging between $2.25 and $6.75. Payment is made exclusively with the SmarTrip card (physical or digital in Apple Wallet/Google Pay). Vending machines are located at the station entrance.

Trip planner and schedules (WMATA)

Rent a Car

 

Taxis

Taxi service at Reagan National Airport is available 24 hours a day and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not required unless you need an accessible vehicle. Uniformed airport dispatchers are available at each stand to help you select a taxi based on your destination (Washington D.C., Virginia, or Maryland).

Stand Locations:

  • Terminal 1: Exit through the baggage claim level doors and turn right. The taxi stand is located on the curb nearest the terminal.
  • Terminal 2: Head to the Arrivals Level (Ground Floor/Level 1). Exit through doors 5 or 6 to the curbside. Look for "Taxi Dispatch" signage.

Estimated Fares:

All taxis operate on a meter. Approximate fares to popular destinations are:

  • Downtown Washington D.C.: USD 20.00 - 25.00 (approx. 15-20 minutes).
  • Arlington, VA: USD 15.00 - 20.00.
  • Alexandria, VA: USD 15.00 - 25.00.
  • Dulles Airport (IAD): USD 70.00 - 75.00.

Please note that a USD 2.50 airport surcharge applies per trip, along with additional charges for extra passengers or excess luggage.

Payment Methods: All taxis accept cash and credit cards. Drivers are required to provide a receipt upon request.

Accessible Taxis:

The fleet includes wheelchair-accessible vehicles. While you can request one from the dispatcher at the curb (who will call for one if none are available in the queue), it is strongly recommended to book at least 24 hours in advance to ensure immediate availability upon arrival.

Accessible reservations: Tel +1 703 417 4333.

Official DCA taxi info

 
 

Latest updates: December 01, 2025

Transportation Tips to/from the airport

Although there are issues that seem more than obvious, it is always advisable to take them into account when moving to or from the airport, and especially if we go by public transport.
 
 1- To the airport - It is convenient to leave with a little more anticipation than what is commonly suggested. If you choose a taxi or a private car service, always take into account peak traffic times, demonstrations, strikes or events that may delay the journey to the airport from where you are. It is always good to be informed about what is happening.
 
If you contract a shared transfer service, have a contact telephone number handy in case of any delay by the company. In these cases they usually already have a scheduled collection time.
 
If you use public transport (collective, train) take into account the schedules (weekends and holidays tend to have less frequency), if you have to change and also how to board (if you need a card or paying the driver or motorist at the moment ). These are details that seem obvious, but it is advisable to know so as not to have surprises and suffer a delay that could cause complications.
 
If you rent a car to get to the airport, check where to leave the vehicle. At some airports, there is an exclusive parking lot for rental cars.
 
 2 -From the airport- Here it is a little less stressful since you don't have the pressure of missing your flight. In the worst case, you will arrive later at the place where you are going to stay or at the meeting point where you are trying to arrive.
 
Once you leave the plane, look for your suitcase and finish with the arrival procedures that are required. Then, follow the directions for public transportation or ask the airport staff.
 
It is very useful to find out in advance the schedules of the buses or trains in case you arrive late at night. Not all work 24 hours. The same goes for taxis. In case of using an Uber-type service, have the mobile application handy to contact the driver.
 
On the other hand, if you booked a private transport service, it is likely that they will have a person waiting for you, identified with a sign. If you rent a car to go from the airport to your final destination, for greater peace of mind it is advisable to book it in advance. Rental counters are usually available in the arrivals hall.

  Booking accommodation

 
 
 
  Washington National airport (DCA)

  General Information

  Departures

  Arrivals

  Car Hire

  Facilities and Lounges

  Overnight Stay

  Airlines

  FAQs

  Travel abroad? Forget roaming! Activate your eSIM in minutes