When is the cheapest time to fly to Washington DC?
Direct flights to Washington DC are pricier in the summer. You're most likely to find cheap flights to Washington DC in winter – as long as you avoid Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you do want to fly out to DC for Christmas in 2024 / 2025, you could trying searching for last-minute flights. Alternatively, prices are usually at their lowest in January and February, when it's the coldest time of the year. If you're flexible on your travel dates, you could try flying midweek to save money on your flight.
When is the best time to go to Washington DC?
Washington DC experiences all four seasons, so time your Washington DC flights to coincide with whatever weather that suits you best. If you don’t mind the cold and perhaps a hint of snow, then the winter months will be fine. For a lot of sightseeing and mild weather, the best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons of spring or autumn. Try to avoid May, June and July, when DC is very hot, humid and busy.
How long is the flight from the UK to Washington DC?
If you fly direct from London to Washington DC, you can expect the flight to take just over eight hours. Indirect flights will of course take longer, but they're potentially cheaper. To save money, why not
compare the price of flying indirectly with
Air France,
KLM or
Aer Lingus?
Which UK airports offer flights to Washington DC?
Flying to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
The main airport serving DC is Washington Dulles International. Washington Dulles has three terminals and it's 26 miles from the city centre.
Getting to the city from the airport
There are numerous car hire options at the airport if you'd like to drive to your hotel. The journey takes about 40 minutes in non-rush hour traffic. Alternatively, you could book a SuperShuttle or the Supreme Airport Shuttle, both of which are a private taxi services. Or the Metrobus will take you directly to the city centre for a very reasonable price.
The museums and monuments of Washington DC
The Smithsonian Institution is a collection of 19 museums which are all worth a visit. You’ll have to choose from amongst the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History, Freer-Sackler Museums of Asian Art, to name just four.
As you would expect from the city which houses the corridors of power, Washington is full of monuments paying homage to famous American people and events. The Lincoln Memorial is as truly awe-inspiring, as the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial is moving, and as the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial is glorious. Try and squeeze them all into your Washington DC trip if you can.
Having found your cheap flights to Washington DC, try and work out how to cram your trip full of visits to spaces that have had historic moments. Take a look at the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives. Stand at the Lincoln Memorial’s Steps in Martin Luther King Jr’s footsteps and relive his immortal ‘I have a Dream’ speech. Visit the Watergate building and Ford’s Theatre to feel the intrigue and significance of American history.
Don't forget before you fly
Before you fly to Washington DC, make sure that you have applied for an
ESTA, which allows you to
enter the USA. You'll have to complete an online form in good time before you go. Remember to keep this in mind when considering last-minute flights. Once you have received your approval you can travel, and your ESTA remains valid for two years.
