DCA Airport Guide

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, or DCA, is in Crystal City, Arlington County, Virginia. It is the second busiest airport in Washington, D.C, with over 25.4 million annual passengers. DCA mostly has domestic carriers and is a short-haul airport. People also call them Reagan Airport, Reagan National, and National Airport.

The airport covers about 861 acres and has two terminals, Terminals 1 and 2, with five concourses and 59 gates. American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and United Airlines are the major airlines from DCA. The airport serves about 98 destinations, including a few international flights to Canada and the Caribbean. There are no customs or immigration facilities at the airport.

DCA Airport History

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, originally called Washington National Airport, is located 5 miles from downtown Washington, D.C. With the opening of Dulles International Airport in 1962, all the long distance flights were directed there, and DCA became the primary airport for short-haul flights within the U.S.
In 1998, the authorities renamed the airport in honor of former President Ronald Reagan, despite local opposition. The airport’s name has been a subject of debate, with some people preferring to drop the former president’s name. The Republicans preferred to use “Reagan,” and Democrats wanted “National” or “DCA.”

The airport underwent several expansions, including the construction of a new terminal complex in the 1990s. Reagan National is a federal government property, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is in charge of its operations.

Where Is DCA Airport?

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, or DCA, is in Arlington County, Virginia. The address is 401 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Access Rd, Arlington, VA 22202.

DCA Airport Map 

DCA Airport Parking & Transportation

The airport has onsite parking and offsite parking. Onsite parking options are Parking 1, Parking 2, and Economy Lot. Offsite lots offer cheaper parking rates. Whatever option you choose, reserving a parking space would be a good idea to save time and last-minute parking stress. If you are looking for cheaper parking rates, GlobalAirportParking.com has the best rates.
Transportation: Public transportation, rental cars, taxis, hotel shuttles, and rideshare are available at the airport.

Public Transportation 

Metrorail links Washington, DC, to the airport Metro Station at Terminal 2, Concourse Level at Reagan Airport. It also offers connections to various parts of Washington, Virginia, and Maryland. You can reach the station via elevators.
Metrorail farecard machines are available at all entrances of the Airport Metrorail station. It will cost you a maximum of $6 for any station with a SmarTrip card.

For information, call them at +1-202-637-7000. You can also visit the Transit Authority’s website.

Bus

Greyhound buses don’t have direct access to the airport. However, travelers planning to take a bus can board from the bus station near Union Station. The yellow line of the Metro will take you to Union Station.

Car Service and Rideshares 

Ride Apps  

Ride Apps will pick you up from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The green flags outside the terminal curb denote the pick-up zones. A trip from DCA Airport to Washington, DC, will cost you approximately $30 and will take about 18 minutes. However, the cost may vary depending on the type, time, and traffic conditions.
App-based rides that DCA approves:

• Lyft  
• Uber  
• ALTO 

Pick up Location

• Terminal 1: Drivers will pick you up from Curbside 3  
• Terminal 2: Drivers will pick you up from outside the Baggage Claim Level/Arrivals Level on the 1st floor, between Zone 1 and 4. 

Please note that ride shares are not allowed inside the rental car center. Rideshare pick-up/drop at the rental car center is across from the Rental Car Shuttle Bus stop on National Avenue.

Rental Cars in DCA Airport

The airport rental car counters are at Parking 1, on the first floor, and the airport shuttle will take you to the pick-up location. You can also walk to Parking 1, which would take about 15 minutes from both terminals.
Pick up Location:

• Terminal 1: Between doors 1 & 2, from the middle curb
• Terminal 2: Door 3 and Door 8, from the first curb

Authorized Rental car companies are:

• Alamo  
• Dollar  
• Enterprise  
• Hertz  
• National  
• Thrifty  
• Sixt 

Airport Shuttle pick-location

Offsite airport rental car services at DCA are Avis and Budget.
Shuttle pick-up Locations

• Terminal 1: From Door 5, on the outer curb north  
• Terminal 2: Doors 3 and 8, on the third curb. 

Taxis

The taxi pick-up point is at Terminal Garage 2, Level 1, in the Ground Transportation Center. A drive from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Washington, DC, will cost about $25. However, the price varies depending on the distance traveled and the type of ride.
Location

• Terminal 1: Exit Baggage Claim a walk to the right. The taxis will pick you up from the curb nearest to the terminal
• Terminal 2: Curb outside Doors 5 and 6 on the lower level of the Baggage Claim. 

How to Get to DCA Airport?

Here are the driving directions to Ronald Reagan Airport

• From Washington, DC: Head south on I-395 towards Virginia, Merge onto the George Washington Memorial Parkway heading south, and take the DCA Exit. 

From Virginia

• Richmond and Points South: Drive north on Interstate 95 to merge onto Interstate 395 North, and it will take you toward Washington, D.C. Take Exit 10, towards the George Washington Memorial Parkway heading south. Take the DCA Exit.  

• Manassas and Points West: Driving east on Interstate 66, which runs toward Washington, D.C. Exit onto Route 110 South and merge onto Route 1 South, which runs along the Potomac River and provides direct access to the airport. Take the DCA exit. 

From Maryland  

• Baltimore and Prince George’s County: Drive south on Interstate 95, cross Woodrow Wilson Bridge toward Virginia, merge onto Route 1 North, follow signs, and take the airport Exit.  
• Frederick & Montgomery Counties: Drive south on Interstate 270, towards Washington, D.C., to merge onto Interstate 495 South, leading to Northern Virginia and exit for the George Washington Memorial Parkway heading south. Take the airport Exit. 

How to get from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Washington, D.C.?   

You can travel from the National Airport to Washington, D.C., by train, bus, rideshares, taxis, and rental cars.

Driving directions from DCA Airport

• Exit the airport for George Washington Memorial Parkway, heading north.  
• Merge onto Interstate 395 North towards Washington, D.C., via the 14th Street Bridge.  
• Cross the bridge to reach downtown Washington. I-395 turns into 14th Street, which leads into the city center. 

Amenities 

• Baggage Carts 
• Charging Stations 
• Concierge 
• Complimentary WiFi 
• Chapel 
• Information Desk 
• Lounges 
• Lost & Found 
• Nursing Rooms 
• Pet Relief Areas 
• Kids play Station 
• Restaurants 
• Shops 
• USO Lounge 

Hotels near DCA Airport 

 

Here are some of the best DCA Airport hotels 

Hilton Garden Inn Reagan National Airport 

• Address: 2020 Richmond Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202, U.S 
• Phone: +1-703-892-1050 

Hampton Inn & Suites Alexandria Old Town Area South 

• Address: 5821 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22303, U.S 
• Phone: +1-703-329-1400 

Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC/U.S. Capitol 

• Address: 1225 First St NE, Washington, DC 20002, U.S 
• Phone: +1-202-408-4870 

Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel 

• Address: 900 South Orme Street, Arlington, Virginia 22204 U.S 
• Phone: +1-7035211900 

Days Inn by Wyndham Arlington Pentagon 

• Address: 3030 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204, U.S 
• Phone: +1-703-521-5570 

Hampton Inn Alexandria/Pentagon South 

• Address: 4800 Leesburg Pike, Alexandria, VA 22302, U.S  
• Phone: +1-703-671-4800 

The Westin Crystal City Reagan National Airport 

• Address: 1800 Richmond Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202, U.S 
• Phone: +1-703-486-1111 

Courtyard Alexandria Old Town/Southwest 

• Address: 12700 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22314, U.S 
• Phone: +1-703-329-2323 

DCA Airport Lounges 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport houses six lounges in Terminal 2. There are no airline lounges at Terminal 1. However, there is a USO lounge near the Lost and Found office (Pre-Security) for the military personnel, National Guard, reservists, and their dependents. 

American Admirals Club  

There are three American Admirals Clubs located at Terminal 2 of DCA Airport 

Location 

• Near Gates C23 and C34 
• Between Gates D35 and D45 
• Near Gates E46 and E48 

Delta Sky Club 

• Location: Near Gates B10 and B22 

United Club 

• Location: Across from Gate B1, near Gates B10 and B22

American Express Centurion Lounge 

• Location: Near Gates B15 and B22 

DCA Airport Restaurants

DCA Airport has several food and dining options across the terminal. Some of these restaurants are: 

Terminal 1 

Gates A

• Boar’s Head Delicatessen 
• Cibo Express Gourmet Market 
• Cibo Walk-Thru Gourmet Market 
• Custom Burger 
• District Bar 
• Dunkin’ Donuts  
• Page 
• Tagliare 

Gates B

• CAVA Mezze Grill 
• Dunkin’ 
• Good Stuff Eatery 
• Great American Bagel Bakery 
• Grille District 
• Lickety Split 
• Sip, Munch, and More 
• Starbucks  

Gate C

• Dos Toros
• Dunkin’ Donuts
• Magic Pan
• Say Si Bon!
• Smashburger
• Taylor Gourmet
• U Street Pub

Concourse B

• Half Moon Empanadas 

Concourse C

• CAVA 

Gate D 

• &Pizza 
• Dunkin Express 
• Five Guys Burgers and Fries 
• Georgetown Gourmet Market 
• Kapnos Taverna 
• Say Si Bon! 
• Starbucks
• Washington Pour Bar 
• Wow Bao 

Gate E 

• Elevation Burger 
• Mezeh Mediterranean Grill 
• P.F. Chang’s 
• Peet’s Coffee 
• Timber Pizza Co. 
• Wolfgang Puck Bar & Bites 
• National Hall 
• Ben’s Chili Bowl 
• Chick-fil-A 
• Dunkin’ Donuts  
• Legal Sea Foods 
• Lucky Buns 
• Matsutake Sushi 
• Starbucks 
• Vino Volo 

Pre-Security

• Dunkin’ Donuts (Pre-Security Terminal 1) 

Terminal 2 

• The Cafe at DCA North 
• The Cafe at DCA South 

DCA Airport Shops and Stores 

Gates A

• CTY: Apparel, Gifts, Accessories, Toys, and Books  

Gate B 

• ITravel2: Travel electronics & accessories Kiosk 

Concourse B

• Inside the Beltway: Travel Essentials 

Concourse C 

• Monumental News: Snacks, Books and Travel Essentials 

Gate D 

• Pen & Prose Boutique Express: Books, Magazines, Gifts, Snacks, and travel essentials. 

Gate E 

• Capitol File News: Books, Magazines & Travel Essentials 
• DC Originals: Gifts & Souvenirs 
• InMotion: Electronics 
• WH Smith: Newsstand 

National Hall 

• BOSS: Hugo Boss Brand 
• Brooks Brothers: Apparel 
• Capital Image: Gifts, souvenirs, & Accessories 
• Elsen Oils: Skin Care Products 
• Ink by Hudson: Books, Toys, & Travel Essentials 
• IStore: Authorized Apple Retailer 
• Johnston & Murphy: Apparels & Footwear 
• Lego: Lego Retailer 
• MAC: Cosmetic Store 
• Smithsonian Museum Store: Gift Shop 
• The Goods @DCA: Books, Snacks & Travel Essentials 
• The Neighborgoods: Gifts & Accessories 
• Tresors Boutique: Jewelries & Gifts 
• TUMI: Travel & Lifestyle Accessories 
• Uniquely D.C.: Tshirts, Gifts & Travel Essential 

Accessible Services  

• DCA Airport provides various assistance services for travelers who require special care. The airport offers wheelchair assistance, restrooms (Unisex companion care), accessible shuttles, elevators, public telephones, accessible security checkpoints, and a Commuter Carrier Lift. Passenger pickup and dropoff locations are also accessible.  
• Passengers in need of special assistance must contact their airline for wheelchairs and other airline-related services. 
• Bus and Rail Transportation: Airport Metrorail station, airport shuttle buses, Taxis, Rental Cars, and parking spaces are accessible. 

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program: To guarantee extra help or support for passengers with hidden disabilities like anxiety, PTSD, autism, or hearing loss, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport issues a lanyard for them.  

Lanyards are available at 

• Baggage claims 6 and 10 
• Terminal 1 Baggage Claim 2 
• USO Lounge 
• North and South security checkpoint desks. 

Lost and Found 

The National Airport’s Lost and Found office is in Terminal 1, near USO Lounge, across from Door 2. You must make your lost and found inquiries over the phone or via the official page, and the authorities will mail you the items. If you are collecting it in person, make sure you make prior appointments.  

• Items lost at the terminal: Contact +1- 703-417-0110. The office is available for calls from Monday through Friday between 7:30 am and 4 pm. 
• Left inside the airline: Contact the airline office. 
• For items left at the security checkpoint: Fill out the online form available on the TSA website.  

TSA onsite hours are between 7:30 am and 4 pm on Mondays and Fridays. 

• Pick up your item Location: Room M-160 on the first floor of Terminal 1. 

Check-In Time at DCA 

DCA has 3 Security Checkpoints, one in Terminal 1 and the other at Terminal 2. 

The TSA wait time is about 5 to 8 minutes. TSA suggests arriving at the airport 90 minutes before the flight.   

Ticketing Check-In: Depends on the airlines and the flight schedules. Please contact the airline for the exact timing.   

Terminal 1  

Gates A1 to A9 (Air Canada, Frontier, and Southwest). Hours: 4 am to 9 pm. 

Terminal 2 – For Gates B10 to E59  

• North Security Checkpoint (American Airlines). Hours: 4 am to 11 pm. 
• South Security Checkpoint (American, Alaska, JetBlue, Delta, & United American). Hours: 4 am to 9 pm. 

TSA PreCheck   

Terminal 2  

• South Security Checkpoint: Opens at 4 am  
• North Security Checkpoint: Opens at 4 am  
• The TSA Precheck Enrollment Center is at Terminal 2, adjacent to Baggage Claim # 6.  Hours: Monday to Friday, between 8 and 12:00 pm & 12:30 pm and 4 pm. 

CLEAR 

CLEAR is available at all security checkpoints at Reagan National. It is a traveler program that offers travelers quick verification through biometric scanning of their fingers and eyes. 

Terminal 1 

 CLEAR Lane for both standard security & TSA PreCheck.  

• Near Gates A1 to A9.
• Hours: Sunday through Friday, 4 am to 8 pm, and on Saturday between 4 am and 7 pm. 

Terminal 2 

 CLEAR Lane for both standard security & TSA PreCheck 

• South Security Checkpoint: Sunday through Friday, 4 am to 8 pm, and on Saturday between 4 am and 7 pm.  
• North Security Checkpoint: Sunday through Friday, 4 am to 9 pm, and on Saturday between 4 am and 8 pm. 
• The CLEAR Enrollment Center is at Terminal 2 near the security checkpoint next to the American Airlines counter. Hours: Sunday through Friday, 4 am to 9 pm, and on Saturday, 4 am to 8 pm. 

Tourist Destinations near DCA

     

These are a few popular places worth your time: 

• Lincoln Memorial: at 2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20002 
• The Underground Donut Tour: at Washington, DC. Phone: +1-844-366-8848 
• National Landing Water Park: at 1601 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202 
• National Air and Space Museum: at 6th Street, and Independence Ave SW, Washington DC, DC 20560 
• National World War II Memorial: at 1750 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC, DC 20024 
• Tidal Basin: at E Basin Drive NW Ohio Drive NW, Washington DC, DC 20003 
• City Brew Tours DC: at Washington DC 
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Plaza SW, Washington DC, DC 20024-2126 
• Nightly Spirits: at Washington, DC. Phone: +1-844-678-8687 
• U Street Pub: at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Arlington, VA 22202 
• Washington Pour Bar: at 5 Aviation Cir, Arlington, VA 22202 

DCA Airport FAQs 

What airport is DCA?

DCA is the IATA code for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington County, Virginia.

Where is DCA Airport?

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, or DCA, lies in Crystal City, Arlington County, Virginia. Address: 401 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Access Rd, Arlington, VA 22202.

What airport code is DCA?

DCA is the airport code for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Arlington, Virginia.

How far is DCA Airport from Washington, DC?

The airport is about 5 miles from Washington, DC.