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Car hire at Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport - Visiting the US Capital

Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport (DCA) is one of three major airports serving the greater Washington DC and Baltimore area, along with Washington Dulles International Airport (airport code: IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (airport code: BWI). Its main advantage for travellers is the fact that it is the closest airport to the American capital, being located just three miles (five kilometres) from downtown DC.

Located just across the Potomac River in Arlington, VA, the airport (officially known as Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) is just minutes from Washington DC and accessible by the Metro rail system. It offers a full range of domestic flights on major, regional and commuter carriers and in total more than a dozen airlines operate at DCA, including American Airlines (which has designated DCA as a hub), Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and United.

Proud capital of the USA, Washington DC has a host of must-visit attractions, most notably the Capitol, America's influential governmental headquarters which is as iconic as the Taj Mahal and the Eiffel Tower. Other popular sights include the National Air and Space Museum (home to the original 1903 Wright Brothers aeroplane and Apollo 11 command module), Albert Einstein Planetarium, National Gallery of Art and a real family favourite - the Museum of Natural History.

A car hire from Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport gives visitors good access to north-east America, with many interesting places within easy striking distance of the US capital. The long list of the city's most popular day-trip options includes Mount Vernon (George Washington's home), Gettysburg National Military Park, the beautiful city of Baltimore, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (inside the Maryland's Blue Ridge Mountains) and Shenandoah National Park.

By working closely with all the world’s top car rental suppliers, Auto Europe has established itself as one of the world's oldest and most successful car hire companies. Founded almost seventy years ago, we currently offer more than 28,000 pick-up and drop-off locations in over 190 popular destinations around the world, including Washington DC. No other car hire company offers such a wide range of vehicles or the best selection of pick-up points and always at the lowest price.

You can book your vehicle in just a few clicks online through our high-tech search engine, or contact one of our rental specialists for assistance and they will be more than pleased to find you the best deal. For tips on driving around Washington and the rest of the country, please consult our USA Driving Guide for information about driving distances, road rules, age restrictions, etc.

For added peace of mind, please take a look at the supplier ratings and user comments on our Washington car hire reviews page to find out what some of Auto Europe's previous customers thought about their car rental experience in the American capital.

Airport Information

Located south of the city along the Potomac River, Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport currently serves almost 100 non-stop destinations and is a major hub for American Airlines, one of the world's largest air transportation companies. First opened in June 1941, its total annual passenger movements of 23.9 million make it one of the USA's busiest airports, with regular flights coming in from destinations as far and wide as Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, San Diego and Austin throughout the year.

Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport (DCA)
Address: 2401 Smith Blvd., Arlington, VA 22202, USA
Telephone: +1 703 417 8000
Airlines operating at Washington DC Airport: The list of the most important airlines operating at Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport includes Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest and United.

Where to pick up my car hire at Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport

To pick up your car rental at Washington DC Airport, just head for the first floor of Parking 1 where many of the world's most prestigious car hire companies have their offices. To get there, you can board the Rental Car/Garage Parking shuttle which stops at Doors 4 and 8 on the baggage-claim (Arrivals) level (Level 1), alighting at the Parking 1/Rental Car stop. To walk there, just follow the signs to Parking 1, which takes approximately 10-15 minutes from Terminals 1 and 2.

Car hire operating hours

	Avis at Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport Parking Garage 1, Washington, USA 22202 +1 703 419 5815	Opening Hours: Daily 7am-11pm
	Enterprise at Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport Parking Garage 1 Washington DC, USA 22202 +1 844 648 1606	Opening Hours: Daily 6am-11.45pm
	Hertz at Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport Parking Garage 1 Washington DC, USA 22202 +1 703 419 6300	Opening Hours: Daily 7am-11pm

Terminals

Laid out in the shape of a J, Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport has two terminals - Terminal 1 (formerly Terminal A) with gates A1-A9 and Terminal 2 (formerly Terminal B/C) with gates B10-E59. Along with five concourses, it currently has almost 60 gates with jetways (9 gates in Terminal 1 and 51 gates in Terminal 2).

Airport Facilities

Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport offers its many passengers a wide range of on-site facilities and amenities, including five lounges (with 2 Admirals Clubs and a United Club offering paid access) and free Wi-Fi access (select the FlyReagan network and insert your e-mail address/zip code when prompted). Few airports in America have so many choices outside of the secure area, with DCA offering a good selection of restaurants, cafes, and fast food in its popular National Hall. There are free charging points throughout the airport, in restaurants, at the departure gates and in the baggage-claim areas. The list of additional facilities includes 3 nursing rooms, a large duty-free shop located in the A concourse (gates A1-A9, inside the secure area), numerous ATMs located throughout the airport and foreign currency services.

How to get to and from Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport

Picking up your car hire at Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport is quick and easy due to its close proximity to the city centre. To get there, just head down 14th Street NW/US-1 S and merge onto I-395 S towards Richmond, after which you need to take exit 10B for George Washington Memorial Parkway S and follow the signs to Reagan National Airport/Mt. Vernon before continuing straight on George Washington Memorial Parkway until you reach the airport’s West Entrance Road. The Metrorail system serves destinations across Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland, with a dedicated stop at DCA. Located on an elevated level, the airport station is connected to National Hall via walkways from the main terminal building. Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport is also served by Metro's blue and yellow lines (take the blue line in the direction of Largo Town Center, which will take you through several downtown DC locations). Two MetroBus routes stop at DCA, namely 13F and 13G. These routes provide transportation to locations in Arlington and Washington DC, including the Pentagon, Federal Triangle and the Smithsonian metro stations (buses stop near terminal 2). Taxis are available 24/7 from the airport, with fare to downtown currently set at around US$15-20.

Parking Tips

On-street parking in the centre of Washington depends on the area. For instance, in some parts a metered two-hour parking limit is set in commercial areas on week days, whereas weekends and bank holidays have different rules and regulations, so it's always best to check the local parking signs. Zone areas parking is free but limited to two hours, but there's no time limit between the hours of 10pm and 7am. There are paid car parks throughout the city, which are a good choice for people who rent a car at Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport and want to visit the main tourist sights. DCA has four large parking areas around the airport with more than 8,800 spaces available, including short-term parking (with a free shuttle bus available). The airport also has an uncovered economy car park located a short distance from the terminals, also with a free shuttle bus service.

Useful links

Washington DC Ronald Reagan Airport