Flights
Flights to Washington
Flying to Washington for a game, a concert or a show? The airport you pick decides the rest of the trip more than the fare usually does. This page lists the 3 airports with scheduled flights near Washington, how far each is from the centre and which is nearest each of the city's main venues. StubOrder lists 3,446 upcoming events in and around Washington (counted Nov 11, 2026); fares are searched live when you pick your dates.
The closest airport to downtown Washington is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), 3 miles away. Also within 28 miles: IAD (23 mi), BWI (28 mi). For Sage Theatre - DC, the nearest is DCA at 3.6 miles. Search WAS to compare every Washington airport at once.
Airports serving Washington
Nearest first. Distances are straight-line from the centre of Washington, which is the fair way to compare airports with each other; the drive is always longer.
| Airport and distance from the centre | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) 3 mi (5 km) | Large | Nearest to Sage Theatre - DC, National Theatre - DC, The Max at Signature Theatre - Arlington, The Ark at Signature Theatre - Arlington, Blues Alley, The Comedy Loft of DC, DC Improv and Round House Theatre. |
| Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) 23 mi (37 km) | Large | None |
| Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) 28 mi (45 km) | Large | None |
Nearest airport to each Washington venue
The busiest venues in and around Washington, each with its own nearest airport. A stadium in the suburbs is often nearer a different airport than downtown is, so this is the table to book from.
| Venue | Nearest airport we list | Second option |
|---|---|---|
| Sage Theatre - DC Hotels near Sage Theatre - DC | DCA, 3.6 mi | IAD, 23 mi |
| National Theatre - DC Hotels near National Theatre - DC | DCA, 3 mi | IAD, 23 mi |
| The Max at Signature Theatre - Arlington Hotels near The Max at Signature Theatre - Arlington | DCA, 2.9 mi | IAD, 21 mi |
| The Ark at Signature Theatre - Arlington Hotels near The Ark at Signature Theatre - Arlington | DCA, 2.9 mi | IAD, 21 mi |
| Blues Alley Hotels near Blues Alley | DCA, 3.9 mi | IAD, 21 mi |
| The Comedy Loft of DC Hotels near The Comedy Loft of DC | DCA, 4 mi | IAD, 22 mi |
| DC Improv Hotels near DC Improv | DCA, 3.7 mi | IAD, 23 mi |
| Round House Theatre Hotels near Round House Theatre | DCA, 9.6 mi | IAD, 20 mi |
Best airport for most Washington events
Each upcoming event in and around Washington counted against the first airport we list for its venue, as of Nov 11, 2026. More than one airport is first for a real share of them, so the right one depends on where you are going.
| Airport | Share of events | Of the busiest venues |
|---|---|---|
| DCA | 8 of 8, including Sage Theatre - DC | |
| IAD | None |
Venue by airport
Straight-line miles from each of the busiest venues to each airport; the nearest is in bold.
| Venue | DCA | IAD | BWI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sage Theatre - DC | 3.6 mi | 23 mi | 27 mi |
| National Theatre - DC | 3 mi | 23 mi | 27 mi |
| The Max at Signature Theatre - Arlington | 2.9 mi | 21 mi | 32 mi |
| The Ark at Signature Theatre - Arlington | 2.9 mi | 21 mi | 32 mi |
| Blues Alley | 3.9 mi | 21 mi | 28 mi |
| The Comedy Loft of DC | 4 mi | 22 mi | 28 mi |
| DC Improv | 3.7 mi | 23 mi | 27 mi |
| Round House Theatre | 9.6 mi | 20 mi | 26 mi |
Home teams and their airports
| Team | Home venue | First airport | League |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Commanders | Northwest Stadium | DCA, 10 mi | NFL stadium airports |
| Washington Nationals | Nationals Park | DCA, 2.2 mi | MLB ballpark airports |
| Washington Wizards | Capital One Arena | DCA, 3.3 mi | NBA arena airports |
| Washington Capitals | Capital One Arena | DCA, 3.3 mi | NHL arena airports |
| D.C. United | Audi Field | DCA, 1.8 mi | MLS stadium airports |
| Washington Mystics | CareFirst Arena | DCA, 2.4 mi | WNBA arena airports |
Flying in for a Washington event
In the next 30 days (counted Nov 11, 2026): 782 events in and around Washington; 61% on Fri–Sun; 600 of the 765 with a set time start at 7 pm or later, local time.
Fly in the day before an evening event: a delayed afternoon flight is a missed show. Plan to fly home the morning after, because the last departures of the night often leave before a late finish lets out. The dates below set the search to do exactly that, around each event.
Chat Pile
Black Cat - DC, Washington, District Of Columbia
Austin Snell
The Atlantis, Washington, District Of Columbia
From about $48.00View TicketsSammy Rae and The Friends & Melt
9:30 Club, Washington, District Of Columbia
From about $37.00View TicketsRacecourse
Rhizome DC, Washington, District Of Columbia
Washington Wizards vs. Detroit Pistons
Capital One Arena, Washington, District Of Columbia
From about $15.00View TicketsNational Symphony Orchestra: Serenades & Simple Songs
Lisner Auditorium, Washington, District Of Columbia
From about $40.00View TicketsA Drunk Christmas Carol
Sage Theatre - DC, Washington, District Of Columbia
From about $98.00View TicketsOrrin Evans Trio
Blues Alley, Washington, District Of Columbia
From about $108.00View Tickets
Search flights for:
Flying in to Washington: checklist
- Book the airport for your venue. For Sage Theatre - DC it is DCA, 3.6 miles away; the table above has the rest.
- Compare the airports at once. Search WAS instead of one airport to see fares into the Washington airports it covers side by side.
- Arrive the day before an evening event, and plan the flight home for the next morning.
- Names exactly as on the ID. The airline compares the booking with the ID at the airport.
- Check the bag allowance. It is shown on every fare; extra bags are not part of the fare price.
Plan the rest of the trip
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest airport to Washington?
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the closest airport with scheduled flights to downtown Washington, 3 miles away in a straight line. StubOrder also lists IAD (23 miles) and BWI (28 miles).
Which airport is closest to the Washington Nationals' home ballpark?
The Washington Nationals play home games at Nationals Park. The closest airport to Nationals Park is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), 2.2 miles away in a straight line.
How far is DCA from downtown Washington?
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is 3 miles (5 km) from downtown Washington in a straight line. The drive is always longer than the straight line, and the roads near the venues are busiest at event times, so allow more than a map suggests.
Which airport is best for Sage Theatre - DC?
The closest airport to Sage Theatre - DC is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), 3.6 miles away in a straight line; Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is 23 miles. Fares differ by date, so compare both when you search.
Can I buy event tickets and flights together?
Not as one purchase. Event tickets come from our resale marketplace and flights from our travel partner and the airlines, as separate bookings with separate confirmations. Neither depends on the other, so if an event moves, your flight does not change automatically.
How many events are in Washington in the next 30 days?
782 in and around Washington in the 30 days from Nov 11, 2026, when this page's figures were counted. 61% of them fall on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and 600 of the 765 with a set start time begin at 7 pm or later, local time.
Which airport is best for National Theatre - DC?
The closest airport to National Theatre - DC is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), 3 miles away in a straight line; Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is 23 miles. Fares differ by date, so compare both when you search.
How many airports serve Washington?
StubOrder lists 3 airports with scheduled passenger flights within 100 km (62 miles) of downtown Washington: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Airlines also sell WAS as one code covering several Washington airports, and the search form accepts it.
Are fares shown on this page?
No. Airline fares change by the minute and depend on your exact dates, airports and travellers, so this page shows none. Pick your dates in the search form and StubOrder asks the airlines live; every fare it shows is the total for all travellers, taxes and fees included.
Which airport is closest to the Washington Commanders' home stadium?
The Washington Commanders play home games at Northwest Stadium. The closest airport to Northwest Stadium is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), 10 miles away in a straight line.
Which airport is nearest most Washington venues?
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the first airport we list for the venues holding 93% of upcoming events in and around Washington (as of Nov 11, 2026); IAD for 6%. Distances are straight lines from each venue.
