TSA wait times
ENRonald Reagan Washington National Airport
DCA to Downtown Washington: Metro, Taxi and Rideshare
The easiest way from Reagan National to Washington is Metrorail. The station connects to Terminal 2 by enclosed bridges, fares run $2.25 to $6.75 during the day, and Yellow Line trains come every 6 minutes on weekdays. Downtown is about 5 miles away by road, roughly 10 minutes without traffic, so a taxi or Uber or Lyft is also an option. You may still see the old names on signs and boarding passes: Terminal 1 was Terminal A, and Terminal 2 was Terminal B/C.
Your options at a glance
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Elevated station connected to the concourse level of Terminal 2 by two enclosed bridges. From Terminal 1, take an Airport Shuttle bus to the Terminal 2 stop. Blue and Yellow lines.
- Hours
- See Metro website
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Economy bus to the Economy Lot; Rental Car / Garage Parking bus to the Rental Car Facility and Parking 1 and 2. Both serve all terminals. Terminal 2 pickup is on the baggage claim level.
- Hours
- 24 hours a day
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Free 24-hour buses: Economy bus to the Economy lot, Rental Car / Garage Parking bus to Parking 1 and 2 and the rental car facility. Terminal 2 stop is on the baggage claim level.
- Hours
- 24 hours
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Free 24-hour airport shuttle to the Parking 1/Rental Car stop. Board on the middle curb between Doors 1 and 2.
- Time
- About 5 to 10 minutes
- Hours
- 24 hours a day
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Free 24-hour airport shuttle to the Parking 1/Rental Car stop. Board on the Baggage Claim level (level 1), first curb near Door 3 and Door 8.
- Time
- About 5 to 10 minutes
- Hours
- 24 hours a day
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Elevated station linked to the Terminal 2 concourse by two enclosed bridges. Blue and Yellow lines. Fares $2.25 to $6.75 by day. Yellow Line every 6 minutes on weekdays.
- Price
- $2.25 to $6.75 by day; $2.25 to $2.50 after 9:30 p.m. and weekends checked Oct. 15, 2026
- Time
- Yellow every 6 min Mon to Fri, 8 min weekends; Blue every 9 to 15 min
- Hours
- Mon to Thu 5:00 am to 12:00 am; Fri 5:00 am to 2:00 am; Sat 6:00 am to 2:00 am; Sun 6:00 am to 12:00 am (Metro)
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From Terminal 1, board any Airport Shuttle bus to Terminal 2 or Parking 1 and 2, where an enclosed bridge leads to the station.
- Hours
- 24 hours a day
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From baggage claim exit doors turn right. Taxis wait on the curb closest to the terminal with a dispatcher.
- Price
- About $23 to Union Station, plus $3.00 airport fee (airport fare chart dated May 2024) checked Oct. 15, 2026
- Time
- Union Station: about 10 minutes without traffic
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Go to the baggage claim lower level (level 1), walk to Doors 5 or 6, then outside to the marked dispatch location.
- Price
- About $23 to Union Station, plus $3.00 airport fee (airport fare chart dated May 2024) checked Oct. 15, 2026
- Time
- Union Station: about 10 minutes without traffic
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Meet your ride on the third (outer) curb. Pick zone 1 through 4 in the app.
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Meet your ride at the Baggage Claim (Arrivals) level, 1st floor, on the outer curb. Pick zone 1 through 4 in the app.
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Only permitted services operate, and pick-up requires a reservation. Do not accept rides from drivers who approach you.
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Rent a bike on level CG (ground level) of the Parking 2 garage, near the Mount Vernon Trail.
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Hotel shuttles meet you on the lower level. For the Hyatt Regency, go outside the main doors and follow Hotel Shuttle Pickup signs.
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Hotel shuttles meet you on the lower level. For the Hyatt Regency, go outside Doors 4 and 7 on the baggage claim level.
Metro: the Blue and Yellow lines
The Reagan National station is elevated and linked to the Terminal 2 concourse. Blue and Yellow line trains stop here.
- Terminal 2: take either of two enclosed pedestrian bridges on the concourse level.
- Terminal 1: go outside to the curb and board any Airport Shuttle bus. At the Terminal 2 or Parking 1 and 2 stops, an enclosed bridge leads to the station.
The airport's FAQ describes Terminal 1 as a short walk inside the terminal, which does not match the Metrorail page. Follow the signs on site, and use the shuttle if unsure.
The station has elevators. The one on the platform is in the center.
Metro fares and how to pay
Daytime fares range from $2.25 to $6.75. After 9:30 p.m. and on weekends they range from $2.25 to $2.50. Metro bus fare is $2.25. Fares change, so confirm with Metro's Trip Planner.
For a single ride, tap a credit, debit or mobile wallet card at the faregate when you enter and when you exit. For a 1, 3 or 7-day pass, buy a SmarTrip card at a fare machine. Machines are at all station entrances.
For Metro information, call (202) 637-7000.
Metro hours and how often trains run
Metro lists these hours for the Yellow and Blue lines: Monday to Thursday 5:00 am to 12:00 am, Friday 5:00 am to 2:00 am, Saturday 6:00 am to 2:00 am and Sunday 6:00 am to 12:00 am.
- Yellow Line: every 6 minutes Monday to Friday (every 7 to 8 minutes after 9:30 pm) and every 8 minutes on weekends.
- Blue Line: every 9 to 10 minutes at rush hour (7 to 9 am and 4 to 6 pm), every 12 minutes at other times and every 15 minutes after 9:30 pm. Weekend Blue Line trains run every 12 minutes, and every 15 minutes after 9:30 pm.
At the Reagan National station, Metro says the station opens 10 minutes before the first train. The first Yellow Line train toward Greenbelt (through downtown) leaves at 5:11 am Monday to Friday and 6:11 am on weekends. The last one leaves at 11:46 pm Monday to Thursday, 1:48 am Friday, 1:44 am Saturday and 11:46 pm Sunday. Late night and weekend schedules change often, so check Metro's Trip Planner the day you fly.
Metro does not publish travel times for specific stops at this station. Enter your destination in Metro's Trip Planner for a time and fare.
Taxis
Taxis are first-come, first-served, and a dispatcher works the stands.
- Terminal 1: leave baggage claim, turn right, and look for the taxis on the curb closest to the terminal.
- Terminal 2: go to baggage claim (level 1), walk to Doors 5 or 6, then step outside to the marked dispatch spot.
All cabs use meters, take cash or card and give you a receipt. Rates come from the jurisdiction that licenses the cab, and interstate fares are regulated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission. The taxi dispatch office is at 703-417-4333, and it can arrange a wheelchair-accessible cab if you call 24 hours ahead.
What a taxi costs
The airport's fare chart (rates dated May 2024) shows approximate metered fares. They are not flat rates, and they do not include the $3.00 airport fee.
- Crystal City Shops: 2 miles, about $11
- Pentagon: 3 miles, about $15
- Capitol Hilton Hotel (downtown): 4.5 miles, about $18
- Alexandria City Hall: 4.5 miles, about $18
- US Capitol: 5 miles, about $19
- Union Station: 5.5 miles, about $23
- Washington Convention Center: 6 miles, about $22
- Bethesda (NIH): 13.5 miles, about $40
The chart lists metered rates by the jurisdiction that licenses the cab. A District cab charges $5.39 for the first mile and $2.16 for each additional mile. An Arlington or Alexandria cab charges $5.16 for the first mile and $2.16 for each additional mile. Rates and traffic change, so treat these as estimates and ask the driver for a figure before you get in.
Limos, sedans and hotel shuttles
Only permitted limo and sedan services can operate, and you need a reservation for pick-up. Do not accept a ride from someone who approaches you in the terminal. Hotel shuttles and charter buses use authorized pick-up spots shown on the airport's map.
How far is downtown
Downtown Washington (measured to Union Station) is about 5 miles from Terminal 2 by road (the airport's taxi chart counts 5.5 miles). Without traffic, it takes about 10 minutes by car. Rush hour will add to that. The airport publishes no travel times to specific neighborhoods, so check a maps app or Metro's Trip Planner for your destination.
Between DCA and Dulles (IAD)
No dedicated shuttle links the two airports. The airport says each airport is served by Metro, taxis and shared-ride vans, and that the least expensive option is Metrorail to the Reagan National station. For other options, use a maps app for driving directions.
By bike
A Capital Bikeshare station is on level CG (ground level) of the Parking 2 garage, near the Mount Vernon Trail. Riding on sidewalks and pedestrian crossings is not permitted.
Questions travelers ask
What is the cheapest way from DCA to downtown Washington?
Metrorail. Fares run $2.25 to $6.75 during the day and $2.25 to $2.50 after 9:30 p.m. and on weekends. Check Metro's Trip Planner for your exact fare.
How do I get to the Metro from Terminal 1?
Take any Airport Shuttle bus from the curb to Terminal 2 or Parking 1 and 2, then use the enclosed bridge to the station.
How do I pay for the Metro at DCA?
Tap a credit, debit or mobile wallet card at the faregates for a single ride. For a 1, 3 or 7-day pass, buy a SmarTrip card at a fare machine.
Where do I catch a taxi at DCA?
At Terminal 1, exit baggage claim and turn right. At Terminal 2, use Doors 5 or 6 on the baggage claim level. A dispatcher helps at both stands.
Where do I meet my Uber or Lyft at DCA?
Choose Zone 1 to 4 in the app. At Terminal 1 use the third (outer) curb. At Terminal 2 use the outer curb on the baggage claim level.
How far is DCA from downtown Washington?
About 5 miles by road to Union Station, roughly 10 minutes without traffic.
How do I get between DCA and Dulles?
There is no dedicated shuttle. The airport says the cheapest way is Metrorail to the Reagan National station. Taxis and shared-ride vans also serve both airports.
Which Metro lines serve Reagan National Airport?
The Blue and Yellow lines stop at the Reagan National Airport station. Yellow Line trains come every 6 minutes on weekdays and every 8 minutes on weekends. Blue Line trains come every 9 to 15 minutes.
How late does the Metro run from DCA?
Metro lists service until 12:00 am Monday to Thursday and Sunday, and until 2:00 am on Friday and Saturday. The last Yellow Line train toward Greenbelt leaves the airport at 11:46 pm Monday to Thursday and Sunday, 1:48 am Friday and 1:44 am Saturday.
How much is a taxi from DCA to Union Station?
The airport's fare chart shows about $23 for the 5.5 mile ride, plus the $3.00 airport fee. It is a metered fare, so traffic can change it.
What are the old names of the DCA terminals?
Terminal 1 was Terminal A, and Terminal 2 was Terminal B/C. You may see the old names on signs, maps and boarding passes.
More at DCA
Sources and last check
Checked by our team on Oct. 15, 2026 against these official sources:
- Metrorail Station, Reagan National Airport
- Taxi Service, Reagan National Airport
- Ground Transportation, Reagan National Airport
- Limousine and Sedan Services, Reagan National Airport
- Directions & Maps, Reagan National Airport
- Frequently Asked Questions, Reagan National Airport
- WMATA: Yellow Line info, hours and train frequency
- WMATA: Blue Line info, hours and train frequency
- WMATA: Reagan National station, first and last trains
- Reagan National: approximate taxi fares (PDF)
- Enhanced Signage at DCA (terminal renaming)