Northern Virginia has three major airports within a reasonable driving distance. Reagan National Airport, Dulles International Airport and Baltimore Washington International Airport all serve the region. But they are not equally convenient for everyone. The best airport for you depends on where you are in Virginia.
This guide answers the questions about airports for three of the most populated areas of Northern Virginia: Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax. It explains the distances, the drive times, the traffic patterns and the transportation options from each area to each airport.
The Three Washington DC Area Airports
Before getting into the specific distances let’s first understand what each airport is and what kind of travel it serves best.
Reagan National Airport
Reagan National is located just across the Potomac River from Washington DC in Arlington, Virginia. It is the closest airport to the city and to the northern and central parts of Northern Virginia. The Metro Blue and Yellow Lines have stations in this airport. It handles mostly domestic flights and limited international service. It is close to the restricted airspace around the Capitol; therefore airlines face some limitations on which routes can serve Reagan National.
Washington Dulles International Airport
Dulles is located 26 miles west of downtown DC in Loudoun County. It is the main international gateway for the Washington area with flight destinations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. The Metro Silver Line now serves this airport. Dulles is the preferred choice for international travel and for people who live in the western parts of Northern Virginia, including Reston, Herndon, Chantilly and the Dulles corridor.
Baltimore Washington International Airport
BWI is located about 30 miles northeast of DC in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Southwest Airlines operates many flights from this airport, and fares are often cheaper for domestic trips. The MARC train connects BWI directly to Washington Union Station, and Amtrak also serves the airport. BWI is the least convenient airport for Northern Virginia residents but the lower flight prices can sometimes justify the longer journey.
Alexandria VA Nearest Airport
For residents and visitors in Alexandria, Virginia the answer to the nearest airport question is straightforward. Reagan National Airport is the closest major airport.
Alexandria sits at the southern end of Northern Virginia along the Potomac River. The airport is just a few miles from Alexandria. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes. This Metro connection is one of the fastest and most direct airport connections of any area in the entire DC region.
Distances from Alexandria to all three airports:
| Airport | Distance | Off-Peak Drive Time | Metro Time |
| DCA | 4 to 7 miles | 10 to 20 minutes | 10 to 15 minutes |
| IAD | 28 to 34 miles | 35 to 55 minutes | 55 to 65 minutes |
| BWI | 35 to 42 miles | 45 to 65 minutes | 50 to 70 minutes |
When Alexandria residents should still consider Dulles:
- For international flights to destinations not served at Reagan National
- For United Airlines hub connections to certain routes only available at Dulles
- When fare differences make the longer journey worthwhile
When Alexandria residents might consider BWI:
- For Southwest Airlines routes at significantly lower fares
- For MARC or Amtrak connections if traveling from near a train station
- When the cost saving justifies the extra 30 to 40 minutes of travel time
How to Get from Alexandria to Reagan National Airport
Reagan National is the main airport for Alexandria, here are all the practical ways to make this journey:
Metro Yellow Line
The Metro Yellow Line runs directly from several Alexandria stations to Reagan National Airport. King Street Old Town Station is the most convenient station for Old Town Alexandria residents and the journey to the airport takes about 12 minutes. The Braddock Road, Van Dorn Street and Franconia-Springfield stations also connect to the Yellow Line depending on which part of Alexandria you are starting from.
The Metro fare from Alexandria to Reagan National is under $4 off-peak. This is one of the most affordable and reliable ways to reach any major airport from any location in the DC region.
Driving from Alexandria to Reagan National
The drive from Old Town Alexandria to Reagan National takes about 10 to 20 minutes off-peak by using the George Washington Memorial Parkway or Route 1 North. Both routes are straightforward for the airport.
During morning rush hour, the George Washington Parkway can get busy near the airport entrance. Even with some traffic, it is usually faster than most other routes. Since Alexandria is close to the airport the total trip is still shorter than most airport drives in the area.
Rideshare from Alexandria to Reagan National
Rideshare from central Alexandria to Reagan National typically costs $15 to $20 and takes 10 to 25 minutes. This tip is the least expensive rideshare airport trip in the entire metro area because of the short distance.
Professional car service from Alexandria to DCA
For business travelers, for early morning departures and for any trip where reliability matters, professional car service is the most suitable option. Because they offer fixed rate prices with a dedicated experienced chauffeur and a premium well maintained vehicle. The short distance makes it cost effective transfer even for professional service.
Arlington VA and Its Relationship with Reagan National Airport
Arlington, Virginia is home to Reagan National Airport itself. The airport sits within Arlington County, which means Arlington residents are even closer to DCA than Alexandria residents.
Distances from Arlington to all three airports:
| Airport | Distance | Off-Peak Drive Time | Metro Time |
| Reagan National (DCA) | 2 to 8 miles depending on location | 8 to 18 minutes | 5 to 20 minutes |
| Dulles (IAD) | 22 to 30 miles | 28 to 45 minutes | 40 to 55 minutes |
| BWI | 32 to 40 miles | 40 to 60 minutes | 55 to 75 minutes |
Metro connections from Arlington to Reagan National
There are multiple Metro stations in Arlington which connect directly to the airport on the Blue and Yellow Lines. Crystal City station is one stop from the airport. Pentagon City is two stops. Pentagon station, Ballston, Virginia Square, Clarendon, Courthouse and Rosslyn all connect to the same lines and provide fast access to the airport.
For Arlington residents, the Metro to Reagan National is one of the most convenient connections to travel anywhere in the metropolitan area.
Reston VA to Arlington VA
Reston and Arlington are both major employment and residential centers in Northern Virginia, but they are not close to each other. The distance between them is about 22 to 28 miles. Many business travelers need to travel between these two areas regularly. You can choose driving or Metro travel depending on the time of day.
Drive from Reston to Arlington
The most direct driving route uses the Dulles Toll Road to I-66 East to the Arlington area. Off-peak this takes 25 to 40 minutes. During morning rush hour I-66 is congested and the drive can take 50 to 90 minutes.
Metro from Reston to Arlington
The Silver Line from Reston Town Center connects to the Blue Line at the Rosslyn or Metro Center stations and the Blue Line serves multiple Arlington stations including Arlington Cemetery, Pentagon, Pentagon City and Crystal City. The total journey from Reston Town Center to Arlington by Metro takes approximately 35 to 50 minutes.
Rideshare from Reston to Arlington
Off-peak, rideshare from Reston to Arlington costs approximately $25 to $45 and takes 25 to 35 minutes. During rush hour, the price increases due to demand and the travel time also extends due to road congestion.
Fairfax VA and the Nearest Airport Question
Fairfax is a large and geographically spread-out area in Northern Virginia. The answer to which airport is nearest depends on where in Fairfax County you are located.
For Eastern Fairfax (Annandale, Springfield, Falls Church)
For eastern Fairfax areas Reagan National Airport is the closest and most practical airport. The Metro Yellow Line from Springfield or other eastern Fairfax stations connects to the airport. Drive times off-peak are typically 20 to 35 minutes.
For central Fairfax (Fairfax City, Centreville, Chantilly)
For central Fairfax areas Dulles is a better option. Chantilly sits very close to Dulles. Centreville and Fairfax City are roughly on the same distance from both Dulles and Reagan National Airport.
For Western Fairfax near the Dulles Corridor
Dulles is the clear choice for Western Fairfax. The Dulles Access Road and Dulles Toll Road provide direct highway access from the western parts of Fairfax County to the airport.
General Fairfax County airport distances:
| Location in Fairfax | Closest Airport | General Distance |
| Springfield | Reagan National | 12 to 16 miles |
| Annandale | Reagan National | 14 to 18 miles |
| Fairfax City | Either, roughly equal | 18 to 22 miles each |
| Centreville | Dulles | 14 to 18 miles |
| Chantilly | Dulles | 8 to 12 miles |
| Reston | Dulles | 8 to 12 miles |
Professional Airport Transportation Across Northern Virginia
Understanding which airport is closest is the first step. Getting there reliably and on time is the next. All American Limousine and Sedan provides professional car service from Alexandria, Arlington, Reston, Fairfax, and all Northern Virginia communities to Reagan National, Dulles, and BWI airports. Our drivers are available around the clock with fixed rates, real-time flight tracking, and meet-and-greet service at every terminal.
Contact All American Limousine and Sedan to arrange your Northern Virginia airport transfer today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nearest airport to Alexandria, Virginia?
Reagan National Airport is the nearest airport to Alexandria, Virginia. The distance is 4 to 7 miles and the Metro Yellow Line connects Old Town Alexandria to the airport in about 10 to 15 minutes.
How do I get to Reston VA airport?
There is no actual Reston airport in Reston, VA. Residents primarily use Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), which is approximately 8 to 10 miles from the Reston Town Center. The Metro Silver Line now connects Reston directly to the airport in about 15 to 20 minutes.
How do I get from Reston VA to Arlington VA?
You can take the Metro Silver Line from Reston Town Center to Rosslyn station and then the Blue Line to Arlington stations. It takes approximately 35 to 50 minutes. Driving via the Dulles Toll Road and I-66 takes 25 to 40 minutes off-peak and 50 to 90 minutes during rush hour. The Metro is usually faster during peak travel times.
Is Dulles or Reagan National closer to Fairfax Virginia?
It depends on which part of Fairfax County. Eastern Fairfax communities like Springfield and Annandale are closer to Reagan National. Western Fairfax communities like Chantilly and Centreville are closer to Dulles. Central Fairfax City is equidistant from both.
Which airport should Arlington Virginia residents use?
Reagan National Airport is the first choice for Arlington residents. Most of Arlington’s residents are less than 10 miles from the airport and multiple Metro stations in Arlington connect directly to DCA on the Blue and Yellow Lines.
