Flights to Washington D.C.

Neighbourhood Overview

Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill is where you’ll find most of the city’s history after arriving on flights to Washington DC. The neighbourhood is home to the USA’s government and most important government buildings. In addition to monuments and museums, Capitol Hill has some great restaurants and the popular Eastern Market to check out when you have return flights to Washington DC.

Downtown

While Capitol Hill is where you’ll find the city’s history, Downtown is where you’ll find the hub of its culture. When you have cheap flights to Washington DC, spend time in the trendy Downtown area for museums, shopping, art, dining, and drinking.

Georgetown

Georgetown offers a quieter experience than the city centre, but still offers plenty of excitement. The neighbourhood shares its name with one of DC’s top universities and is scenically located on the banks of the Potomac River. When you have airfare to Washington DC, visit Georgetown for charming architecture and cobblestone streets along with great cafes and boutique shopping.

Dupont Circle

Dupont Circle is a glamorous neighbourhood known for its shopping, international cuisine, and history to experience when you have flights to Washington DC. The neighbourhood is home to 175 foreign embassies, art galleries, live music, and historic architecture.

Top Experiences for Visitors with Flights to Washington DC

The White House

The White House is the most famous landmark to experience when you book cheap flights to Washington DC. It has been the primary residence for every US president since 1800. After your flights to Washington DC, you can view the impressive building and its gardens from the outside or take a guided tour through the White House. Note that you will need to make a reservation to visit the White House about three months in advance. Visitors are able to see several rooms, including the Blue Room, Green Room, China Room, and State Dining Room. Note that you will be required to show your passport when taking a tour of the White House.

Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial was built to honour the country’s 16th president who served from 1861 to 1865. The memorial is located on one end of the National Mall, across from the Washington Monument - a memorial to another well-loved president. The Lincoln Memorial is designed like a Greek Temple with tall columns. Inside, there’s a large seated statue of Abraham Lincoln and engravings of some of his most influential speeches. Visitors with return flights to Washington DC can see the Lincoln Memorial for free.

United States Capitol

The Capitol Building is another important landmark for the US government, and is a popular must-see after your cheap flights to Washington DC. It’s home to the US Congress, which consists of the Senate and House of Representatives. It’s the place where politicians meet to discuss current events and propose new laws and amendments. Tours of the US Capitol are available in which visitors with plane tickets to Washington DC can view the Rotunda, the Crypt, and the National Statuary Hall. Tours are free but should be reserved in advance; a good option is to organise your tour after booking your return flights to Washington DC.

United States National Arboretum

While Washington DC has no shortage of skyscrapers and towering monuments, it has plenty of green space as well. The United States National Arboretum is located a short distance east of the city centre. It consists of 446 acres and is used as a space for agricultural research. Within the Arboretum, visitors with flights to Washington DC can enjoy a vast collection of gardens, such as a Japanese Woodland, a Chinese garden, the National Grove of State Trees and a bonsai collection.

Public Transport and How to Get Around

Visitors with flights to Washington DC can explore the city using the extensive metro and bus network. The metro is made up of six lines that will get you to all of the city’s major attractions. There are many different bus routes, but the most useful tourist routes are along the DC Circulator. Five bus lines make stops along this route, which include major points of interest including Union Station and Georgetown. When travelling by public transport after your flights to Washington DC, everyone must use a SmarTrip card to pay fares. These cards are available from all metro stations. They cost $10 USD ($14.25 AUD), but come with a pre-loaded fare of $8 USD ($11.40 AUD). Train fare varies based on the time of day and how far you travel. Typically, peak fares cost about $3 USD ($4.30 AUD) and off-peak fares cost about $2 USD ($2.85 AUD).

Once your return flights to Washington DC arrive, public transport is available into the city. If you land at Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), catch an express bus from the airport to Wiehle-Reston East station where you can catch the Silver Line into the city. Arriving into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), you can catch either the Blue or Yellow metro lines, which will get you into the city.