Studying in Washington D.C. or just heading to town for an intellectual week away? Washington D.C. has a lot to offer for students! And luckily for you, we’ve got cheap student flights to Washington D.C. to make your trip even easier. See what’s available below or use the search box above to check for deals.
Washington D.C. is the capital of the US, so it’s definitely a must-visit! There’s so much to explore and discover, even if you’re not a history buff. Of course, Washington D.C. is home to many, many historical and political museums and monuments, there’s also world-class science and art museums, music and theatre venues, parks and more—plenty to do no matter what kind of traveller you are.
Whether you’re heading to D.C. for university, an internship or just a vacation, you’ll definitely never be bored in this energetic, bustling city. Keep reading for tips on when to book cheap flights to D.C., the best museums to explore and more. Ready to book your tickets? Search for cheap flights to Washington D.C. using the search box above.
There are three major airports serving Washington D.C. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Wondering which you should choose?
Washington Dulles International Airport / IAD: This is the D.C. area’s busiest airport, as it serves as a hub not only for the D.C. region but also for international travel. As a result, it has tons of flight options with a variety of airlines as well as many direct options. If you’re flying from a major hub in Canada, you'll probably find the most direct options to IAD. However, it’s also further from the city, which means a longer Uber ride once you arrive.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport / DCA: The biggest draw with DCA is it’s proximity to D.C.—it’s just about five miles from downtown, making getting into the city super easy. Even better, it has a dedicated Metro station that connects it to other major attractions and the city center. However, it has fewer direct options if you’re flying from further away. It’s a hub for American Airlines, too, so you might find less options if you’re flying in on another airline. Otherwise, it’s definitely the most convenient option.
Baltimore-Washington International Airport / BWI: Obviously, this is the ideal choice if you’re flying into Baltimore, but it’s also another option for the D.C. area as well. Baltimore is about as far as the Dulles (IAD) airport is, so this is a good option too. Two big pluses: there’s train service between BWI and D.C. so you can be from airport to city center in just 25 minutes. However, it's less common to find flights directly from Canada into BWI, so you might have to do some sleuthing—and accept a stopover in your itinerary—if you want to fly into BWI.
Washington D.C. is fairly accessible from most major Canadian cities, with direct flights available from most major Canadian hubs, like Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. The most popular airlines for flights to D.C. are Air Canada and United Airlines, although American Airlines and plenty more airlines offer flights as well..
Average flight duration
7 hours+
Number of daily flights
no nonstop flights available, but numerous connecting flights daily
Average flight duration
1 hour, 24 minutes +
Number of daily flights
about 15 daily nonstop.
Average flight duration
1 hour 45 minutes
Number of daily flights
about 2 daily nonstop
Average flight duration
1 hour 50 minutes
Number of daily flights
about 10 daily nonstop
Like many cities around the world, spring and fall are among the best times to visit Washington D.C. Fall brings with it cooler weather after sweltering, humid summers in the city, plus fewer tourists and beautiful autumn colors. Spring is, of course, cherry blossom season, which is iconic in it’s own right for D.C. Late spring is a popular time for school groups and families to take field trips to D.C., so keep in mind that lines at popular attractions may be longer than other seasons.
If you don’t mind a crowd though, visiting D.C. during a holiday or festival is an amazing experience—from Independence Day to New Year’s to Memorial Day or the Christmas Tree Lighting, there’s plenty of exciting times to visit the US capital city!
Prices based on bookings made 31-60 days prior to departure.
Washington D.C. is an amazing place for students! Not only is it a hub of culture, academics, politics and business, there’s plenty of events and festivals to help you dive into local and international cultures year-round.
Washington D.C. is home to a number of prestigious universities: American University, Georgetown University and the George Washington University, among others. Going to university in Washington D.C. means you’ll not only have access to top-notch education, but also plenty of extracurriculars, amazing culture and museums and plenty of internships and off-campus work options. As you might imagine, Washington D.C. is an especially great place to study abroad if you’re interested in politics, government, social justice, international business or law.
Washington D.C. is home to a diverse population, so you’ll find plenty of diverse lifestyles and cultures represented as well. Many in D.C. tend to be very ambitious and work long hours, so if you’re staying here long-term, you’ll likely experience this as a very normal lifestyle. However, if you’re simply here for a holiday, you’ll likely find the endless museums, events and things to do exciting—there’s something here for everyone! D.C. is definitely a bustling and energetic city, so you’ll never be bored.
D.C. is a big city, so like many other large cities, it can be a bit expensive in terms of food and accommodation. That’s not to say there’s not cheap places to stay and eat—there definitely are!—but you’ll want to budget accordingly and do your research in advance. Washington D.C. has one major win for visiting on a student budget, though—many of the most popular museums are totally free! Visit the Smithsonians, the National Gallery of Art, the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Portrait Gallery and more—all for free!
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