Flying to D.C. for your internship? These tips and tricks will help you get to The Washington Center’s Residential and Academic Facility (RAF) from each of D.C.’s airports.
Washington, D.C. is a big transportation hub for the northeast — over a thousand flights pass through the area every day. So, wherever you’re coming from, you’ll find getting to one of D.C.’s three airports is a breeze. But what happens when you leave the airport? What’s the best way to get to the The Washington Center’s Residential and Academic Facility (RAF) from each of D.C.’s airports?
This guide outlines some tricks of the trade for traveling from the airport, as well as some tips for each of D.C.’s airports.
Public Transportation by Airport
Ronald Reagan National Airport
Reagan National Airport (DCA) is the closest airport to downtown D.C. So close, in fact, that you’re likely to get a sweeping view of the National Mall as you touch down. As such, DCA tends to have higher fares than the other two airports and only offers domestic flights (plus a few select flights to Canada).
DCA is directly connected to the Washington, D.C. Metro, which makes getting downtown easy and affordable. DCA has a dedicated stop on the Blue and Yellow lines just a short walk from baggage claim.
To get to the RAF, plug the address (1005 3rd Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20002) into the trip planner to find which route is best.
Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (a mouthful, if we do say so ourselves!) services both Washington, D.C. and nearby Baltimore, MD. But, if you look at a map, you’ll notice that it’s much closer to Baltimore than it is to Washington.
Still, lots of Washingtonians choose to fly in and out of BWI (including many TWC staff) because fares tend to be lower and there’s a wider variety of flights and airlines available. The trade-off of all these lower fares is that getting from BWI takes a little longer than DCA. Thankfully, even though it’s a longer trip, it’s not a very difficult one.
The MARC is a commuter rail line that connects the Washington metro area to the Baltimore metro area. There’s a MARC train stop near* BWI that will take you directly to Union Station for about $8. From there, it’s only about a ten minute walk to the RAF.
MARC tickets can be bought on your phone (via the CharmPass app) or at a ticket kiosk at the station. Trains arrive about every hour during peak periods.
*You will have to take a free shuttle to get from BWI to the train station. The shuttle can be found on the arrivals level just after baggage claim by Southwest Airlines.
Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Dulles is the furthest airport from the city center, but it also services most international flights coming to D.C. It is directly connected to the Washington, D.C. Metro Silver line. To get to the RAF, plug the address (1005 3rd Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20002) into the trip planner to find which route is best.
Ride Sharing/Cab/Car Service
The most direct option from any airport to the RAF is by car. Options can range from $25 to $100 depending on the time of the day and which airport you’re coming from. Whether you take an Uber, book a shuttle or just hail a cab, make sure you ask to be taken to the RAF at 1005 3rd Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20002. If you’re in a cab and the driver asks for a cross street, the RAF is located on 3rd street NE between L and K.
However you plan to get to the RAF, see about linking up with some fellow TWC students as you make your way from the airport into D.C. Whether it’s to split the cost of an Uber fare or just to have some company as you navigate public transportation, it’s a great time to start making some new friends. After all, you’re all going to the same place!
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