What is the cheapest way from Reagan National Airport to downtown DC?

The WMATA Metrorail Blue Line to Metro Center, $2.25 off-peak and about 18–20 minutes; the fare can rise to $6.75 during weekday peak hours.

How do I get from the DCA terminals to the Metro station?

From Terminal 2, one of two enclosed pedestrian bridges leads straight to the station mezzanine; from Terminal 1, take the indoor walkway or the free Airport Shuttle bus (about 10–15 minutes).

Do I need to buy a SmarTrip card?

No — you can tap a contactless bank card or phone wallet directly at the faregate, or buy/load a SmarTrip card at the fare machines.

How much does the Metro cost from DCA to downtown?

$2.25 flat off-peak (after 9:30pm and weekends); weekday peak hours (5–9:30am, 3–7pm) push it up with distance to as much as $6.75.

How much is a taxi from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to the city?

A taxi runs about $28–38 (plus a $3 airport fee) and rideshare around $30, taking about 20 minutes — similar in time to the Metro but far more than the $2.25 off-peak Metro fare.

What is the best way from DCA to downtown Washington, D.C.?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the Metrorail Blue Line straight from the airport to Metro Center in central Washington, D.C. — $2.25 off-peak (up to $6.75 weekday peak) in about 18–20 minutes.

How to get from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to downtown Washington, D.C. — the cheapest way

The cheapest way from Reagan National Airport (DCA) into downtown DC is the WMATA Metrorail Blue Line, which stops right at the airport and reaches Metro Center, in the city center, in about 18–20 minutes for $2.25 off-peak (up to $6.75 during weekday peak hours, 5–9:30am and 3–7pm). Just walk the covered pedestrian bridge from Terminal 2 straight to the station platform and tap a contactless card or SmarTrip at the faregate — skip the taxi or rideshare stand, where the same ride runs about $28–38.

How to find it

AIRPORTRonald Reagan Washington National Airport
01From Terminal 2, follow signs from the concourse level onto one of the two enclosed pedestrian bridges — they lead straight into the Metrorail station mezzanine, no need to go outside. From Terminal 1, take the indoor walkway or the free Airport Shuttle bus to Terminal 2/the Metro station instead (about 10–15 minutes).
02At the mezzanine, the simplest option is to tap a contactless credit/debit card or phone directly at the faregate; or buy/load a SmarTrip card at the blue-and-orange fare machines (cash and card accepted).
03Head to the platform for Blue Line or Yellow Line trains signed 'To Downtown Washington' — both lines run on the same track through downtown, so either works.
04Ride about 18–20 minutes (around 9 stops via Crystal City, Pentagon, Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom-GWU) to Metro Center, in the heart of downtown DC, where several other lines connect.
CITY CENTREWashington, D.C.

Ticket

One-way Metrorail fare (SmarTrip or contactless card) to Metro Center

Where to buy: At the SmarTrip fare machines in the station mezzanine at the end of the pedestrian bridge, or skip the card entirely and tap a contactless bank card or phone wallet directly at the faregate.

How to pay: Machines take cash and cards to load a SmarTrip card (a new physical card costs about $2); at the faregate you can also tap a contactless debit/credit card or Apple Pay/Google Pay directly — no SmarTrip card needed. Off-peak fare is $2.25; weekday peak hours (5–9:30am and 3–7pm) push it up with distance to as much as $6.75.

Local's trick: Skip the SmarTrip card altogether — tap a contactless bank card or phone wallet straight at the faregate for the same fare with no card cost. Also, if your schedule allows, ride after 9:30pm or on a weekend: the fare drops to a flat $2.25, versus up to $6.75 during weekday peak hours (5–9:30am, 3–7pm).

Trap to avoid: Don't default to a taxi or Uber/Lyft outside arrivals — the same ~20-minute ride into downtown runs about $28–38 by taxi (plus a $3 airport fee) or roughly $30 by rideshare, ten times the off-peak Metro fare.

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Reagan National Airport to downtown DC?: The WMATA Metrorail Blue Line to Metro Center, $2.25 off-peak and about 18–20 minutes; the fare can rise to $6.75 during weekday peak hours.
How do I get from the DCA terminals to the Metro station?: From Terminal 2, one of two enclosed pedestrian bridges leads straight to the station mezzanine; from Terminal 1, take the indoor walkway or the free Airport Shuttle bus (about 10–15 minutes).
Do I need to buy a SmarTrip card?: No — you can tap a contactless bank card or phone wallet directly at the faregate, or buy/load a SmarTrip card at the fare machines.
How much does the Metro cost from DCA to downtown?: $2.25 flat off-peak (after 9:30pm and weekends); weekday peak hours (5–9:30am, 3–7pm) push it up with distance to as much as $6.75.
How much is a taxi from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to the city?: A taxi runs about $28–38 (plus a $3 airport fee) and rideshare around $30, taking about 20 minutes — similar in time to the Metro but far more than the $2.25 off-peak Metro fare.
What is the best way from DCA to downtown Washington, D.C.?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the Metrorail Blue Line straight from the airport to Metro Center in central Washington, D.C. — $2.25 off-peak (up to $6.75 weekday peak) in about 18–20 minutes.

Last verified: Jul 2, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.