Washington, DC
Washington travel guide
Free museums and the monuments at your feet
- Airports
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport · IAD Washington Dulles International Airport · BWI Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
- Region
- US Northeast
- Best time to visit
- Late March–April (cherry blossoms) and September–October are ideal.
- Shortest flight
- 1h 25m from New York
- Round trips from
- $53 (live)
- Time zone
- America/New York
About Washington
The National Mall anchors the visit — Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol is two miles of monuments and Smithsonian museums, all free. Beyond it: Georgetown's row houses and canal, the U Street and 14th Street restaurant strips, Capitol Hill's Eastern Market, and Arlington National Cemetery across the Potomac.
Getting in: Reagan National (DCA) is on the Metro's Blue and Yellow lines, 15 minutes from downtown ($2.25–$3). Dulles (IAD) is on the Silver Line, about 50 minutes to downtown ($6.75). From BWI, the MARC train ($8, weekdays) or Amtrak reaches Union Station in 30–45 minutes. Rideshares run $15–$25 from DCA and $50–$70 from Dulles.
Stay downtown or in Penn Quarter for walking access to the Mall, Dupont Circle or Logan Circle for restaurants, or Arlington for cheaper hotels a Metro stop away. Half-smokes at Ben's Chili Bowl, Ethiopian food on U Street and the food halls of Union Market cover lunch for $12–$18; tip 18–20%. Cherry blossom season (late March–early April) is spectacular and expensive.
Best time to visit
Late March–April (cherry blossoms) and September–October are ideal. Summer is hot, humid and crowded with school groups; winter is cheap and the museums are empty.
Where to stay
Neighborhoods our travelers like: Penn Quarter, Dupont Circle, Georgetown, Capitol Hill, U Street / Shaw.
Flights to Washington: typical round-trip fares
What economy round trips to DCA usually cost from major US cities, alongside the lowest live fare we can see in the next 90 days. Prices are per traveler and include taxes.
| From | Flight time | Typical fare | Lowest live fare | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK) | 1h 25m | $118 | $58 · Tue, Oct 13 | Search dates → |
| Chicago (ORD) | 1h 50m | $118 | $74 · Tue, Oct 13 | Search dates → |
| Atlanta (ATL) | 1h 50m | $108 | $63 · Tue, Oct 13 | Search dates → |
| Dallas (DFW) | 3h 5m | $158 | $96 · Tue, Oct 6 | Search dates → |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | 5h | $218 | $235 · Tue, Oct 6 | Search dates → |
| Boston (BOS) | 1h 35m | $108 | $53 · Tue, Oct 13 | Search dates → |
Typical fares are editorial estimates for economy round trips booked 3–8 weeks out. Live fares refresh several times a day and are shown for the cheapest departure date we found.
What to do in Washington
The places our editors send first-time visitors.
- 1
The National Mall
Lincoln, Jefferson, MLK, Vietnam and World War II memorials in a two-mile walk; visit the Lincoln Memorial after dark.
- 2
Smithsonian museums
Air and Space, Natural History, American History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture (free timed passes) — all free.
- 3
The US Capitol and Library of Congress
Free Capitol tours by reservation; the Library's Great Hall is the most beautiful room in the city.
- 4
Georgetown
Cobblestone streets, the C&O Canal towpath and the waterfront park; a good base for a relaxed day.
- 5
Arlington National Cemetery
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier's changing of the guard, Kennedy's grave and views back across the river.
Washington weather by season
Average highs and lows in °F, with what each season means for fares and crowds.
Winter
45° / 30°
Chilly; quiet museums and low rates.
Spring
66° / 48°
Cherry blossoms late March to early April.
Summer
88° / 71°
Hot and humid with thunderstorms.
Fall
68° / 51°
Clear, comfortable — the best season.
Travel tips for Washington
- Reagan National (DCA) is the most convenient airport by far; Dulles and BWI are worth it only when the fare difference is $60 or more.
- The African American History museum and the Capitol require free timed passes — reserve online a month ahead.
- Tap a credit card or buy a SmarTrip card for Metro; avoid Metro during 7–9am and 4–6pm rush hours if you're carrying luggage.
- Summer heat and humidity are intense; do the Mall in the morning and museums after lunch.
- Hotels drop sharply on weekends and in August, when Congress is out of session.
Washington flights: frequently asked questions
Which Washington airport is best?
Reagan National (DCA) is on the Metro and 15 minutes from downtown, but it's a short-haul airport with a perimeter rule, so long-distance flights use Dulles (IAD). BWI is often the cheapest and is 45 minutes away by MARC train.
Are the museums in Washington really free?
Yes — all Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery of Art and the zoo are free every day. A few, like the African American History museum, require free timed-entry passes.
When do the cherry blossoms bloom?
Peak bloom is usually between March 20 and April 5, but it varies with the weather. Fares and hotels rise sharply that fortnight; consider the week after peak for lower prices and lingering blossoms.
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