Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Washington Reagan Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Table of Contents
Terminal 2 is not cleared at night so you can sleep there. Look for the cozy blue chairs near gates E49, E50 and E51. Otherwise, pick your floor spot and settle in. – a traveller
DCA Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Washington Reagan National Airport.
What to Expect
Washington Reagan Airport (code: DCA) has two terminals connected landside. Terminal 1 (A Gates) and Terminal 2 (B, C, D, E Gates) have recently been renovated.
Travellers here will find a variety of dining and shopping options, most of which close by 10:00 PM. A Dunkin Donuts stays open 24 hours near the entrance to Terminal 1. WiFi is available to help pass the time. Economy class travellers can pay to enter a few airport lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and access information.
Sleeping in Washington Reagan Airport
Daytime nappers are common, but overnight campers take note: the airside closes by 11:00 PM, so you’ll have to sleep landside. Some travellers reported homeless people wandering the landside areas, but security guards seem to maintain a constant presence. Unfortunately, seating has armrests, so you may want to bring a soft layer for floor sleeping. Sleeping on/near heating vents next to the windows is also a popular option. Bring a sweater and earplugs to combat cold temps and frequent announcements. Explore our guide to sleeping in Washington Reagan Airport or read some traveller reviews for more tips. For uninterrupted sleep, several nearby hotels offer a free airport shuttle. See Airport Hotels in the guide below for more info.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Washington Reagan Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours. The TSA security checkpoints are open 4:30 AM – 9:00 PM (or until the last scheduled flight).
Keep in mind that airline check-in and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the terminal’s public area (landside), you will not be able to get through to the terminal’s secure area (airside) until the morning.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Reagan Airport Hotels
Quick Facts
Nearest Hotel: Within a 10-minute drive
Sleep Cabins or Pods: No
Day Rooms: No
Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes
When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair gives you nightmares, there is good news for those who are looking to sleep at Washington Reagan Airport in comfort. If you are on a layover, you must pass through immigration/security as there is no transit hotel or accommodation on the airside. Several nearby hotels within a 10-minute drive offer free airport shuttles. For airport pick-up, use the courtesy phones in the baggage claim area.
- Holiday Inn National Airport/Crystal City » Check Rates
- Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport » Check Rates
- Courtyard Arlington Crystal City » Check Rates
- Hampton Inn & Suites Reagan National Airport » Check Rates
- Residence Inn Arlington Capital View » Check Rates
- Hilton Garden Inn Reagan National Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Reagan Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- American Airlines Admirals Club – Multiple Locations – (1) Terminal B and (1) Terminal C. Lounge Access: Pay at the door with proof of America Airlines ticket • Lounge membership programs.
- United Club – Location: Terminal B, Airside, opposite G11. Lounge Access: Pay at the door with proof of United Airlines ticket • United Club Membership.
Airline Lounges
- Delta Sky Club – Location: Terminal B, Airside, above Gate 15. Lounge Access: Elite Status • Lounge membership programs.
Military Lounge
- USO Lounge – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Terminal A, Concourse Level, across from Lost & Found.
Related Pages: Reagan Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
A reader tells us, “Several water fountains and bottle fill up stations throughout the airport.” (June 2024)
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. At the time of this update, there is one 24-hour restaurant and a news shop selling snacks, etc. Locations: Dunkin’ Donuts (Landside, National Hall, near the Walkway to Terminal A) • CNBC News (Landside, National Hall, near the Walkway to Terminal A).
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
Charge your laptops and other devices for free at charging stations throughout the airport. Look for the “power up” signs. In Terminal A, you can charge your device while grabbing a bite to eat at District Bar, Page or Reservoir.
Showers
Unavailable. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Dulles Airport. Connect to the “FlyReagan” network.
An email and postal/zip code are required to log in. International visitors can enter “YES” in the postal/zip code field to continue.
More Airport Information
Art in the Airport – Pass some time at the airport while enjoying the free art, a presentation of the DCA Art Program. Permanent and rotating artworks are available in each Terminal. Learn about the airport’s history at the Exhibit Hall in Terminal A or Abingdon Plantation, between the Terminal A and Terminal B parking garages.
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.
Baby Care Facilities – Nursing rooms provide a secure and private environment to attend to the needs of your infant. Rooms come equipped with rocking chairs, power outlets and changing tables. Locations: Terminal A, Landside, just before the checkpoint ▪ National Hall, Landside, near Tumi close to the Metro and Parking B Walkway (2 locations).
Baggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage carts (Smarte Cartes) are available throughout the airport. Rate: $5.00 per cart.
Chapel – There is an interfaith chapel at the south end of Concourse B, across from the Delta Airlines gates (behind Dunkin’ Donuts). Scheduled clergy-led Protestant worship and Catholic mass are available, as well as non-clergy-led Jewish and Islamic prayer times.
Currency Exchange – An International Currency Exchange office is in the National Hall, Terminal C, landside, near the Information Booth. Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Daily).
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-Free Americas has two stores at the airport. Locations: A Gates 1-9 (Hours:7:00 AM – 12:00 AM) • C Gates 35-35 (Hours: 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM). The airport also offers a good variety of shops to pass the time.
Information Desk – There are four locations, all landside: Terminal A between Baggage Claim and Security • Terminal B/C, Baggage Claim Center • Terminal B, Baggage Claim South • Terminal C, Baggage Claim North. Hours: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Mon – Fri), 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Sat) and 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Sun).
Observation Area – Relax on one of the Terraces on the Departures level of Terminal B or C. Terminal A offers rocking chairs to enjoy the airplane views.
Pet Relief – The airport provides dedicated areas if you are travelling with your pet. Locations: Landside only – Terminal A, opposite Door 1 and 5 • Terminal B, outside the doors opposite the South Metrorail Station entrance • Terminal C, across from the North Metrorail Station Entrance.
Smoking – Not permitted inside the terminal – outside only.
Spa – XpresSpa offers a variety of spa services. Location: Landside, National Hall, Terminal B. Hours: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Traveler’s Aid – Traveler’s Aid is a non-profit organization that assists stranded and distressed passengers. Volunteers assist passengers with general airport and destination queries and situations such as transportation assistance, lost or stolen money, wiring money, emergency housing, etc. Locations: Terminal A, Room 242 • Terminal B, Concourse Level • Terminal C, Concourse Level • Terminal B, Baggage Claim. Hours: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Mon – Fri) • 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Sat) 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Sun).
Car Rentals
Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Payless • Thrifty and Zip Car have on-site rental desks at the Terminal Parking Garage A. Advantage and EZ Rent are off-site. Free “Parking / Rental Car” shuttles stop outside of baggage claim at each terminal to bring passengers to the rental car area at Garage A. Terminal Parking Garage A is just a 10-minute walk from Terminals A & B or a 15-minute walk from Terminal C.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels offer airport shuttle service: Crystal City Marriott at Reagan National Airport • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Washington DC – Crystal City • Embassy Suites by Hilton Crystal City National Airport • Hampton Inn & Suites Arlington Crystal City DCA • Hilton Crystal City • Hilton Garden Inn Reagan National Airport • Holiday Inn National Airport / Crystal City • Hyatt House Washington DC / The Wharf • Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport • Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel • Residence Inn Arlington Capital View • Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel • Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria • The Westin Crystal City Reagan National Airport.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Inter-Terminal Shuttle
Reagan National Airport runs a courtesy shuttle service that runs on airport grounds only. Each shuttle has a sign on its front and side that displays the area of the airport that it services: “All Terminals” for Terminals A, B, C and the Metrorail station, “Economy” for the Economy Parking Lot, “Rental Car / Parking” for Terminals A, B and C parking lots and the rental car area, and “Employee” for the Employee Parking Lot.
Metrorail
The Metrorail, or “Metro”, is the subway system serving Washington DC metropolitan area, including parts of Virginia and Maryland. Reagan National Airport can be reached by two of the six colour-coded routes: blue and yellow. Terminals B and C are connected to the airport’s elevated Metrorail station via covered pedestrian bridges. Terminal A can be reached by taking an “Airport Shuttle bus” between the Metrorail station and the Terminal B and C parking garages.
Shared Ride Services
SuperShuttle and Supreme Airport Shuttle offer door-to-door shared-ride airport service in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The shuttles are available on demand outside each terminal on the baggage claim level. You can also book the service online or visit the shuttle desk at the airport to book your ride.
Taxi
Taxis are readily available outside each airport terminal on the baggage claim level. Notify the Taxi Dispatcher if you need a wheelchair-accessible taxi or a taxi that accepts credit cards. Taxis charge for the journey according to the taxi meter.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.