Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Reagan National is about 5 miles (8 km) from downtown Washington and about 4 miles from the U.S. Capitol. It sits across the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia. By car the trip usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic, and Metrorail's Blue and Yellow lines run from the airport station into the city.

The airport is in Arlington County, Virginia, on the west bank of the Potomac River, next to Crystal City and National Landing. It is run by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and is the closest airport to the center of Washington, D.C., which lies just across the river to the north.

Southwest, Frontier and Air Canada use Terminal 1, the original 1941 building with gates 1 to 9. American, Alaska, Delta, JetBlue and United use Terminal 2, with Concourses B, C, D and E. Check your booking or the airline's app before you fly, because the two terminals are not connected after security.

Walk the indoor walkway on the landside or take the free airport shuttle bus, which runs 24 hours a day between the terminals and the parking garages. The terminals are not connected after security, so if you change terminals for a connecting flight you have to go through a security checkpoint again.

Yes. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station, on the Blue and Yellow lines, is an elevated station next to Terminal 2, linked to its concourse level by two enclosed pedestrian bridges. From Terminal 1, take the indoor walkway or the airport shuttle bus to reach it. Elevators serve the platform.

Only from airports with U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance, because DCA has no immigration or customs facilities. Flights from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Nassau, among others, clear U.S. immigration and customs before departure and arrive at Reagan National as domestic flights. Most other international travelers to Washington fly into Dulles or BWI.

Federal law limits most nonstop flights from Reagan National to airports within 1,250 miles. Congress and the Department of Transportation have granted a limited number of exemptions, which is why you can fly nonstop to cities such as Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver and San Juan from DCA.

In Terminal 1, exit the baggage claim doors and turn right; taxis wait at the curb closest to the terminal. In Terminal 2, go to the lower baggage claim level and walk to Doors 5 or 6, where the taxi dispatch area is marked. Taxis are metered, first come, first served, and take cash or credit cards.

At Terminal 2, ride-app pickups are on the outer curb of the baggage claim (arrivals) level; choose Zone 1, 2, 3 or 4 in the app. At Terminal 1, meet your ride on the outer curb of the third curb level. There is also a ride-app pickup point across from the Rental Car shuttle shelter on National Avenue.

Rental cars are collected at the Rental Car Center. Take the free Rental Car / Garage Parking shuttle bus, which runs 24 hours a day from both terminals; in Terminal 2 the shuttle stops on the baggage claim level. Some companies offer cars with hand controls if you reserve ahead.

Terminal 2 has American Airlines Admirals Clubs near the C and E gates, a Delta Sky Club and a United Club near the B gates, and an American Express Centurion Lounge near Gates B15 to B22. Terminal 1 has a USO lounge before security for military members and their families. Check each operator's rules for access.

The airport suggests baggage claim as the meeting place in both terminals. Check the arrival screens to see which carousel your traveler's bags are assigned to. Southwest, Frontier and Air Canada passengers arrive at Terminal 1; American, Alaska, Delta, JetBlue and United passengers arrive at Terminal 2.

The airport recommends arriving 2 hours before a domestic flight, or following your airline's advice. Terminal 2 checkpoints generally open at 4:00 a.m. and Terminal 1's at 4:30 a.m. Every checkpoint has a TSA PreCheck lane. Bring a REAL ID-compliant license or a passport for security.