Washington DC Airport Taxi Cost — DCA + IAD + BWI 2026
USD 18-30 from DCA (closest), USD 60-85 from IAD, USD 80-110 from BWI. Plus Metro Silver Line and Amtrak/Marc rail comparisons.
Quick Answer
Washington DC has 3 airports. DCA (Reagan National) is 6 km from downtown — taxi USD 18-30, Metro Yellow/Blue USD 2.25 in 20 min (best by far). IAD (Dulles) is 42 km west — taxi USD 60-85, Silver Line Metro USD 6 in 50-75 min. BWI is 50 km north-east — taxi USD 80-110, or Marc/Amtrak rail USD 7-65 to Union Station.
DCA + IAD + BWI to City — Options Compared
| Option | Price | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow taxi (metered) | USD 18–30 from DCA / USD 60–85 from IAD / USD 80–110 from BWI | 15–60 min | ✓ Doorstep at any DC hotel; 4 passengers; reliable. ✗ No flat rate; longer trips from IAD/BWI add up fast. |
| Uber / Lyft | USD 15–25 DCA / USD 50–80 IAD / USD 70–100 BWI | 15–60 min | ✓ Cheapest off-peak; pickup at designated airport zones. ✗ Surge 1.5-2.5× during evening peak + Capitol One Arena events. |
| Metro Silver/Blue/Yellow (DCA) | USD 2.25–6 | 20–35 min | ✓ Direct DCA → Metro Center / L'Enfant / Smithsonian. Every 6-15 min. ✗ Only direct from DCA; IAD requires Silver Line extension change. |
| Metro Silver Line (IAD) | USD 6.00–6.75 | 50–75 min | ✓ New Silver Line Phase 2 (opened 2022) — direct IAD → Metro Center. ✗ Slower than from DCA; 11 stops vs DCA's 3-4. |
| BWI Marc/Amtrak rail | USD 7–15 (Marc) / USD 25-65 (Amtrak) | 30–45 min | ✓ BWI Rail Station → Union Station DC direct. ✗ Marc Train limited weekends; Amtrak more expensive but faster + frequent. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which DC airport is closest to downtown?+
DCA (Ronald Reagan Washington National) is dramatically closest — just 6 km / 4 mi from the Mall + downtown DC. Taxi: USD 18-30, 15-25 min. Metro Yellow/Blue Line: USD 2.25-3, 20 min direct. IAD (Dulles) is 42 km / 26 mi west of DC, 45-75 min, USD 60-85 taxi. BWI (Baltimore-Washington) is 50 km / 31 mi north-east, 50-80 min, USD 80-110 taxi. For DC visits: DCA wins decisively when your airline serves it.
Metro from DCA — really only USD 2.25?+
Yes. Reagan National (DCA) Metro Station is INSIDE the airport (connected to Terminal 2 + walking distance from Terminal 1). Yellow Line or Blue Line direct to L'Enfant Plaza, Smithsonian, Metro Center, Federal Triangle in 15-25 min. Fares USD 2.25 off-peak / USD 2.50 peak. For DC visitors flying into DCA: Metro is the unambiguously best option — beats taxi/Uber on every metric.
Dulles (IAD) Silver Line — game-changer?+
Yes, since Silver Line Phase 2 opened November 2022. IAD now has direct Metro service to Downtown DC (Metro Center) in 50-75 min for USD 6-6.75. Catch: it's still 50+ min vs DCA's 20 min — IAD is further out. For IAD arrivals headed to Downtown / Foggy Bottom / Smithsonian: Silver Line is excellent value (vs USD 50-85 Uber). For Maryland or Northern Virginia drops: Uber/taxi often faster.
IAD or DCA for Washington DC trips?+
DCA: 6 km from DC, Metro inside airport, USD 2.25 fare to downtown — but limited to short/medium-haul domestic flights + ~10 international (most US domestic + some Canada + Caribbean). IAD: 42 km from DC, more international long-haul (all of Europe + Asia + Middle East + Africa), Silver Line connects but takes 50+ min. For domestic + short trips: DCA is dramatically more convenient. For Europe/Asia/Middle East: IAD typically required.
BWI for DC trips — worth the extra distance?+
BWI is 50 km / 31 mi north-east of DC — typically 50-80 min by road. BWI strengths: Southwest Airlines hub, cheaper flights, large international long-haul, Amtrak + Marc rail to DC Union Station. BWI Rail Station shuttle (USD 1) connects airport to BWI Rail Station → Amtrak/Marc to Union Station DC. Marc Train: USD 7-15 (cheapest), Amtrak: USD 25-65 (faster, more frequent). For budget travel + flexibility: BWI is competitive with IAD.
Where do Uber + Lyft pick up at the 3 DC airports?+
DCA: ride-share pickup at Terminal 1 Arrivals Curb (Door 4) and Terminal 2 Arrivals (Door 5). Quick. IAD: Door 2 of the Main Terminal lower level — clearly signed from baggage claim. BWI: Lower-level Curb 5-6, between baggage claim and parking garage. All 3 airports support Uber + Lyft + Curb (taxi app). Surge varies — IAD typically less surge than DCA due to lower demand density.
DC traffic — when worst for airport runs?+
Inbound (airport → city): worst 06:30-09:30 weekday mornings (commuters into DC). DCA to Downtown can stretch 35-50 min vs 15-20 off-peak. Outbound (city → airport): worst 16:00-19:30 evenings. Friday afternoon worst overall. Major events (Cherry Blossom Festival April, Marine Corps Marathon October, Inauguration Day every 4 years) add 30-60 min. Pre-book transfer or take Metro for these dates.
Getting out of Washington DC (DCA)
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