DC airports - DCA or IAD?

[julirina]

I'm pricing flights out of both DC airports (Reagan and Dulles) and finding flights cost the same. Dulles is 9 miles further from home (218 miles vs 227 miles) but Reagan's economy parking is $2/day more.

All things being equal, is one DC airport better than the other for any reason?

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

All things being equal, is one DC airport better than the other for any reason?

Because you're leaving from the D.C. area, pick what's most convenient for you.

When I'm planning to stay in Washington, D.C., Washington-Reagan (DCA) is my first choice because it's so convenient to the city.

That said, I've flown into nearby Baltimore a few times because it was so much cheaper. You might want to look into Baltimore (BWI) too, considering you have a long drive in any case.

 

[vicki_c]

Not sure exactly where in central PA you are, but I agree on checking out BWI.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

If you're in Central Pennsylvania, what about Harrisburg, PA (MDT) to Orlando, FL (MCO)?

You'll have to connect somewhere, but you could save a lot of driving time(and gasoline). And the airfare might be similar, if you're lucky.

 

[iwannbindisnee]

I live in MD & am 45 mins away from BWI & 1 hr-1 1/2 hr from IAD & DCA. I try DCA if my flight leaving time is anywhere near rush hour. Getting there can be a nightmare. Just wanted you to be aware of that. I also almost always fly out of BWI, since I can get more straight through flights to Orland from there.
Lastly, there are sometimes good deals out of Harrisburg. We drove almost 2 hours to take our son there one time b/c the deal was so good....Good luck!
Debbie

 

[uva185]

DCA is far superior!! It is a smaller airport which for starters means there are shorter lines and fewer delays. At Dulles you will check-in and clear security and then take a train or buggy to a separate terminal. At National you check-in and walk straight to your gate (much easier and faster). I don't fly out of Dulles even when its cheaper because that airport is such a hassle!!

 

[julirina]

Thanks for all the tips. I'll continue to watch fares out of other airports (Harrisburg is 1 1/2 hours away; BWI, PHL, and Newark are all @3 hours) but honestly I've never found a cheaper flight to Orlando than the ones I can get out of DC. Sometimes it's only a difference of $50 or so, and when it's just DH and I I'll pay more for less driving, but we need 5 tix for our next trip so I don't mind driving an extra hour if it saves me >$250. Plus with a 3mo and a 2yo I think we'll appreciate a nonstop flight -- layovers/delays/missed connections with little ones can be a nightmare.

 

[vicki_c]

Just make sure you leave plenty (if I could underscore that 3x I would) of time to get to either of those airports.

Just as an example, traveling from Annapolis to Dulles in the morning can take me 2 hours (it's 60 miles) and Dulles to Annapolis in the afternoon has taken me over 3 hours at times. Again, I know you're not coming that same way, but just an illustration.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

No question DCA is better. Smaller, easier to navigate, and a lot faster to get through. I also think it is a lot cleaner.

As for parking, check out:
http://www.airportparkingreservations.com

It's a fraction the cost of the economy lot, and some of the hotels listed are only a block further from the terminal than the economy lot is (need to take a shuttle either way), and the customer service is better than you'll find from the airport shuttle.

We used them last year, and it worked out great, and we plan on using them this coming trip, out of DCA.

 

[Sadie22]

Having been to both of those several times, being very familiar with DC area traffic, and also having traveled to and from BWI Marshall many times, I would recommend BWI over either of the DC airports.

 

[n2mm]

I've flown all 3, and prefer Dulles. IF I had to choose between Reagan and Dulles, I would choose Dulles as the drive there is much easier than driving to Reagan. If you do choose Reagan, hopefully you're flying in and out on the weekend and not during the week. You will get caught up in city rush hour traffic if you fly Mon-Fri no matter what time of day or night it is. I find Dulles easy to figure out (you would also hit rush hour traffic around Dulles too, but not like you would at Reagan). They also now have the new underground shuttle/train that takes you to the terminals (most of them). We have used BWI and that is also a nice airport and easy to get around, just too far from our home. We fly in and out of Dulles 12 or more times a year. It takes us an hour to drive to Dulles from our house in WV.

 

[DopeyDame]

I have paid $100 more on a ticket just to avoid flying out of Dulles. I hate the airport, and getting there can be a nightmare. The only flight I've ever missed because of my own fault was Dulles because it took me 2+ hours to drive what usually takes ~45 minutes. The DC beltway can be a nightmare. In addition to BWI and Harrisburg, check out Allentown - Airtran now flies direct Allentown - Orlando.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I have paid $100 more on a ticket just to avoid flying out of Dulles. I hate the airport, and getting there can be a nightmare. The only flight I've ever missed because of my own fault was Dulles because it took me 2+ hours to drive what usually takes ~45 minutes. The DC beltway can be a nightmare. In addition to BWI and Harrisburg, check out Allentown - Airtran now flies direct Allentown - Orlando.

Good idea about Allentown/Lehigh Valley to Orlando. If the OP were to fly January 28 to MCO from ABE, the cost per adult ticket by Alligiant Air is $63.68. But, remember after February 1, 2011 Alligiant will use Sanford Airport.

AirTran on January 28, 2011 would be $107.70 per adult ticket. Not bad.

 

[julirina]

Good idea about Allentown/Lehigh Valley to Orlando. If the OP were to fly January 28 to MCO from ABE, the cost per adult ticket by Alligiant Air is $63.68. But, remember after February 1, 2011 Alligiant will use Sanford Airport.

AirTran on January 28, 2011 would be $107.70 per adult ticket. Not bad.

Great tips -- I didn't know AirTran was flying direct from Allentown now. I'm just waiting for AirTran and JetBlue to release prices for September!