Showing posts with label Washingotn DC Airlines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Washingotn DC Airlines. Show all posts

Monday, 2 May 2011

Washington DC Airports

Washington DC airports cover all the bases for arrivals and departures into the state. Air transportation is affective and reliable and offers a huge array of options for travelers, whether for business or leisure. Reagan National Airport is one of the most utilized of all area airports, but other airports close to but not actually in DC also function as DC airports, these include Dulles International Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

Also known as DCA, Reagan National Airport is closest to central Washington DC making it a favored choice for visitors and locals alike. It's located southwest of the National Mall where the biggest and most famous DC attractions are. It is actually in Arlington,Virginia, yet easy transportation options make getting the four miles to DC a breeze. The building is modern and bright and holds three distinct terminals. Sitting on the edge of the Potomac River and near the Jefferson Memorial, DCA holds a hot spot on prime real estate. Featuring a completely new look after an extensive renovation, the Reagan National Airport offers plenty of things to do during delays or when awaiting departure. As the most important of all Washington DC airports, the new design reflects DC’s commitment to welcoming arrivals with a fantastic first impression. Enjoy dining among a choice in restaurants, head out shopping to pass time away, or go for drinks in one of the many airport bars to take the edge off. A large art collection affords a more personal look to the facilities walls.

Heading into DC from DCA is easy. Taxis, shuttles, and the Metro route travelers over one of the memorial bridges and easily drive to top locations such as Georgetown and Dupont Circle. There are public transportation stops right out side the airport as well.

Washington DC airports like Dulles International are farther away, about 35 miles. Dulles also offers shuttles and taxis that are always available. The Metro doesn't offer service between DC and Dulles, but an Express Bus does for a reasonable rate. This international option welcomes travelers from all over the world so it can get quite hectic during prime daytime hours. Be prepared for longer waits during peak tourist season but in general, expect a fairly quick procession.

Other airports near Washington DC include Baltimore-Washington International Airport, or BWI. Roughly the same distance away as Dulles, and nearly as busy as the Reagan National Airport, BWI is 45 miles from DC. Shuttles are readily available to whisk passengers off either straight into the city to Dupont Circle, downtown, and other neighborhoods, or to the train station for a connection into DC. Taxis are available, but because of the distance, they can be pricey if heading to DC.

Using Washington DC airports is generally a good experience with plenty of amenities and services to hit on most all needs. Due to the fact that there are three major airports in the area, comparing airfare between these three airports is an excellent way to get the best deals on flying into the area. Once out of the airport, there are many fun things to do around DC, from visiting the museums and monuments to walking through historic areas and enjoying the abundant natural spaces.

Saturday, 23 April 2011

Washingotn DC Flights

When purchasing flights to Washington DC, you should first decide which airport to use. There are three choices when purchasing DC tickets: BWI, National, and Dulles. Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) is 30 miles Northeast from Washington DC, about halfway between DC and Baltimore. Almost half of the flights in and out of BWI are bargain flights operated by Southwest Airlines. Cheap flights to Washington DC can be achieved by using Southwest and taking a train to DC. Other ground transportation options to Washington DC from BWI include taxi, SuperShuttle and BWI Express bus. One-way fares range from $4.10 - $45.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (still called "National" by locals and numerous Democrats) is located south of the city along the Potomac River, a few minutes by car and 15 to 20 minutes by Metro to downtown DC. National offers a full range of domestic flights on major, regional and commuter carriers. Recently renovated, National conveniently connects directly to the Yellow and Blue lines of the Metro subway system. Taxi fare to downtown is approximately $12-$15. Shared ride van service is also offered by SuperShuttle. National"s security procedures add certain precautions not in place at other airports, like the "30-minute rule": Passengers must stay in their seats for the 30 minutes prior to landing at National, and for the 30 minutes after their plane takes off from National.

Although not as convenient to downtown DC as National, Washington Dulles International Airport provides faster access to downtown DC than BWI, thanks to an uncongested airport access road that travels half the distance toward Washington. About a half hour drive west of the city, Dulles is DC"s closest airport with international service. Ground transportation is provided to the nearest Metro train stop, West Falls Church, where DC tickets are generally under $5 and trains run every 45 minutes. If you prefer, you can take one of the shuttles, or a cab, which will run you about $50 into downtown DC.

Domestic airlines with scheduled flights into all three of Washington DC"s airports include American, Continental, Northwest, United, and US Airways. Flights to Washington DC flights to New York and flights to Boston are quick, and best achieved by hourly daily shuttles. The Delta Shuttle travels daily between New York and Washington, while the US Airways Shuttle operates daily between Boston and Washington, and New York and Washington. Both airlines fly into and out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Cheap flights to Washington DC are getting easier to find, particularly if you use Southwest or arrive via Dulles. Low-fare airlines seem to be most successful and dependable these days. Dulles airport has become a national center in bargain travel, featuring cheap flights to Washington DC operated by Ted Airlines, Frontier, Independence Air, Delta Express, Air Tran, JetBlue, and America West. Meanwhile, Five discount airlines use National Airport: Frontier, America West, and Spirit.

Washington DC flights are available on more than 30 international airlines, including Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Aeroflot, Ethiopian, Icelandair, KLM, and three different British airlines: British Airways, British Midland, and Virgin Atlantic. There have been changes in security since 9/11, of course. Most recently, new passport requirements have been enacted. As of October 26, 2005 all countries must issue passports with digital photos or the required chip (e-passport) containing biometric information about the individual. Nonetheless, if you already had a passport prior to October 26, 2005, you can still use it through its expiration before you have to switch to the new technology. International visitors who need a visa to travel to the US must apply for one at an American embassy or consulate. For more information visit travel.state.gov.