Cheap Flights To Washington (DCA)

If you're planning a trip to the capital of the United States on a budget, visit Orbitz.com to find flights to Washington, D.C. People traveling to Washington, D.C., can tour the White House, visit the Smithsonian Museum, and get a panoramic view of the city from the top of the Washington Monument. It's a city where you can learn about the history of the United States, listen to live jazz music in a gritty downtown bar, and shop in upscale boutiques.

Flying into Washington, D.C.

Three airports service the Washington, D.C., area, but most flights arrive at the Reagan National Airport or the Dulles International Airport. Multiple airlines provide flights to and from Washington, D.C., including United Airlines, US Airways, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. You can take a taxi or ride the Metrorail into the city from both airports. Cab fare from Dulles costs between $56 and $64. Cabs at Reagan National Airport use meters. Tickets for the Metrorail cost between $1.70 and $5.75, depending on the time of day and the length of your ride. If your flight arrives at Dulles, you can take the Washington Coach Flyer to the West Falls Church Metro Station for $10. From there, take the Metrorail into the city.

Exploring the City

If you're traveling to Washington, D.C., in the winter, pack warm clothes and a coat. Average winter temperatures range from the high 20s to the high 40s, and snowfall is common. The best time to visit the city is in the spring. Average spring temperatures range from the high 30s to the mid-70s, and the blooming cherry blossom trees near the Lincoln Memorial create a beautiful sight. If this is your first visit to Washington, D.C., visit the Jefferson Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, the Capitol, the Washington Monument, and the White House. Other popular attractions include the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Ford's Theater and Museum, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Gallery of Art.

Plan a Trip to Washington D.C.

The numerous landmarks, variety of museums, shopping venues, and the vibrant nightlife make Washington, D.C., a good vacation destination. When you're ready to take a trip, visit Orbitz.com to find flights to Washington, D.C., tickets to local attractions, and hotel accommodations.

Washington’s summers are blisteringly hot and humid, so plan on visiting in spring and fall when temperatures remain mild and the school-vacation crowds are at their ebb. Each spring, the National Cherry Blossom Festival typically signals the start of “tourist season,” though that can also be when the weather is most fickle—sunny and mid-60s one day, rain and wind the next (read: Pack layers). Lots of people come to town for the festival, and there’s no guarantee the blossoms will actually be out, but catch it right and you’ll be rewarded with one of the most beautiful spectacles in city travel.

Heat and humidity aside, summer can work if you’re strategic about where you visit. Hit the star attractions first thing in the morning to avoid waiting in line in the sun, and save those off-the-beaten-path spots (hopefully ones with air conditioning) for later in the day. Visit the monuments at dusk for stellar sunset photo ops. Surprisingly, summer hotel rates can be competitive because many of the politicians, businessfolk, and convention-goers aren’t in town.

Fall is ideal, though it doesn’t start for real until October most years and can be fleeting, with chilly northerly winds heralding several months of biting sub-zero days, particularly in January and February. Winter brings subfreezing temperatures and occasional ice, though snow is more rare here than in Northeastern cities.