Flights to Washington, DC
Best student & youth fares right now to Washington D.C.
Studying in Washington D.C. or just heading to town for an intellectual week away? Washington D.C. has a lot to offer for students! And luckily for you, we've got cheap student flights to Washington D.C. to make your trip even easier. See what's available below or use the search box above to check for deals.
Student flights to Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. is the capital of the US, so it's definitely a must-visit! And, by the way, if the last time you visited D.C. was on your 8th grade field trip, it's time to start planning a return trip. There's so much to explore and discover, even if you're not a history buff! Of course, Washington D.C. is home to many, many historical and political museums and monuments, there's also world-class science and art museums, music and theatre venues, parks and more!
Whether you're heading to D.C. for university, an internship or just a vacation, you'll definitely never run out of things to do! Keep reading for tips on when to book cheap flights to D.C., the best museums to explore and more. Ready to book your tickets? Search for cheap flights to Washington D.C. using the search box above.
What are the main Washington D.C. airports, and how do I get from them to central Washington D.C.?
There are three major airports serving Washington D.C. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Wondering which you should choose?
Washington Dulles International Airport / IAD: This is the D.C. area's busiest airport, as it serves as a hub not only for the D.C. region but also for international travel. As a result, it has tons of flight options with a variety of airlines as well as many direct options. If you're flying from another major hub in the US, you shouldn't have any problem finding flights to any of D.C.'s airports, but from smaller airports, IAD does tend to have more direct options. However, it's also further from the city, which means a longer Uber ride once you arrive.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport / DCA: The biggest draw with DCA is it's proximity to D.C.—it's just about five miles from downtown, making getting into the city super easy. Even better, it has a dedicated Metro station that connects it to other major attractions and the city center. However, it has fewer direct options if you're flying from further away. It's a hub for American Airlines, too, so you might find less options if you're flying in on another airline. Otherwise, it's definitely the most convenient option.
Baltimore-Washington International Airport / BWI: Obviously, this is the ideal choice if you're flying into Baltimore, but it's also another option for the D.C. area as well. Baltimore is about as far as the Dulles (IAD) airport is, so this is a good option too. Two big pluses: there's train service between BWI and D.C. so you can be from airport to city center in just 25 minutes. Also, it services lots of flights from lower-cost airlines like Spirit and Frontier, so it's a great airport to check if you're hoping to get rock-bottom deals.
How to fly to Washington D.C. from other American cities
Washington D.C. is easily accessible from most other US cities, with direct flights available from most major US hubs, like Boston, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston and more. The most popular airlines for flights to D.C. are American Airlines, United Airlines and Jetblue, although of course, you'll have plenty more options if you want them.
Cheap flights to Washington D.C.
from Boston / BOS
Average flight duration
1 hour, 45 minutes +
Number of daily flights
22+ daily nonstop
Cheap flights to Washington D.C.
from Chicago / ORD
Average flight duration
1 hour, 45 minutes +
Number of daily flights
40+ daily nonstop.
Cheap flights to Washington D.C.
from Los Angeles / LAX
Average flight duration
4 hours, 45 minutes +
Number of daily flights
20+ daily nonstop
Cheap flights to Washington D.C.
from New York / NYC
Average flight duration
1 hour
Number of daily flights
67+ daily nonstop
When is the best time to fly to Washington D.C.?
Like many cities around the world, spring and fall are among the best times to visit Washington D.C. Fall brings with it cooler weather after sweltering, humid summers in the city, plus fewer tourists and beautiful autumn colors. Spring is, of course, cherry blossom season, which is iconic in it's own right for D.C. Late spring is a popular time for school groups and families to take field trips to D.C., so keep in mind that lines at popular attractions may be longer than other seasons.
If you don't mind a crowd though, visiting D.C. during a holiday or festival is an amazing experience—from the 4th of July to New Year's to Memorial Day or the Christmas Tree Lighting, there's plenty of exciting times to visit the US capital city!
When is the cheapest time to book a domestic flight to Washington D.C.?
Prices based on bookings made 31-60 days prior to departure.
Why do students love visiting Washington D.C.?
Washington D.C. is an amazing place for students! Not only is it a hub of culture, academics, politics and business, there's plenty of events and festivals to help you dive into local and international cultures year-round.
Washington D.C. universities and campuses
Washington D.C. is home to a number of prestigious universities: American University, Georgetown University and the George Washington University, among others. Going to university in Washington D.C. means you'll not only have access to top-notch education, but also plenty of extracurriculars, amazing culture and museums and plenty of internships and off-campus work options. As you might imagine, Washington D.C. is an especially great place to go to school if you're interested in politics, government, social justice, international business or law.
Washington D.C. lifestyle and culture
Washington D.C. is home to a diverse population, so you'll find plenty of diverse lifestyles and cultures represented as well. Many in D.C. tend to be very ambitious and work long hours, so if you're staying here long-term, you'll likely experience this as a very normal lifestyle. However, if you're simply here for a vacation, you'll likely find the endless museums, events and things to do exciting—there's something here for everyone! D.C. is definitely a bustling and energetic city, so you'll never be bored.
Exploring Washington D.C. on a student budget
D.C. is a big city, so like many other large cities, it can be a bit expensive in terms of food and accommodation. That's not to say there's not cheap places to stay and eat—there definitely are!—but you'll want to budget accordingly and do your research in advance. Washington D.C. has one major win for visiting on a student budget, though—many of the most popular museums are totally free! Visit the Smithsonians, the National Gallery of Art, the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Portrait Gallery and more—all for free!
Frequently asked questions about flying to Washington D.C.
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