Terminal 1A gates
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Terminal 1, 2401 Smith Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22202FAA rank #28 · Large hub
DCAWashington
Ronald Reagan Washington National
Guide reviewed September 1, 2026
The short answer
Metro is often the cleanest way into DCA. If you drive, prebook and verify the terminal first—the airport is compact, but its curb and garage routing punishes wrong turns.
Arrival planner
When should I be at DCA?
Enter the departure time shown on your ticket.
Recommended airport arrival—:—
Enter your departure time
We’ll work backward from the airport’s recommendation.
2 hours before departure
This is your airport arrival time—not the time to leave home. Airline check-in and bag-drop cutoffs still apply.
Security peakWeekday mornings and evenings, Sunday afternoons, congressional travel periods, and holidays
01
Security
What you’re walking into
DCA posts current checkpoint conditions on its homepage. Terminal and airline location matter, and the compact road system can back up quickly.
Check live security wait times before leaving ↗TSA PreCheck● Yes
CLEAR● Yes
Global Entry● No
Mobile Passport● No
02
Official parking
What it costs
Economy$25/dayShuttles about every 10 minutes
Terminal garagesLive rateCovered; prebook for current pricing
03
Ground transportation
Don’t stand at the wrong curb
Ride-app pickup areas vary by terminal and garage zone. Follow the location in the app and official signs; do not assume the airline drop-off curb is also the pickup point.
Rental counters are on the first floor of Parking 1, about a 10–15 minute walk from the terminals or a ride on the airport shuttle.
Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are separate landside areas connected by airport shuttle. Verify the airline terminal before security to avoid a needless transfer.
Parking 1Up to 60 minutes freeReagan National Airport Parking 1, Arlington, VA 22202
Parking 2Up to 60 minutes freeReagan National Airport Parking 2, Arlington, VA 22202
DCA's cell-phone lot is temporarily closed. Use Parking 1 or Parking 2, which currently offer up to 60 minutes free, and never wait at an active curb.
04
Airport hotels
Sleep close. Leave the car.
DCA has no hotel inside or directly connected to the terminals. Crystal City hotels sit just north of the airport and use scheduled courtesy shuttles.
Inside or airport-connected
None at this airportPark-and-fly
Confirm terms before bookingCrystal Gateway Marriott
- Airport ride
- Complimentary airport shuttle operates around the clock with eligible package
- Parking
- Package may include up to seven days; confirm the allowance for selected dates
DoubleTree by Hilton Washington DC–Crystal City
- Airport ride
- Complimentary airport shuttle generally operates 5 AM–midnight; confirm before travel
- Parking
- Eligible packages may include up to seven days of parking
Hilton Arlington National Landing
- Airport ride
- Complimentary airport shuttle generally operates 5 AM–10 PM; confirm current schedule
- Parking
- Park-and-fly packages may include up to seven days
Hotel information reviewed September 2, 2026. Confirm current shuttle hours, parking terms, and package availability before booking.
05
Airport essentials
Everything else worth knowing
Free Wi-Fi● Yes
USO lounge● Yes
Pet relief● Yes
EV chargingCharging is available in selected terminal-garage spaces.
SmokingSmoking is prohibited inside the terminals; use designated outdoor areas.
OvernightDCA is not a comfortable overnight airport; terminal access and services follow the day's flight schedule.
Sources & freshness
Trust the facts. Check the source.
Guide information reviewed September 1, 2026. For today’s operations, rates, and hours, use the live links and official sources below.
DCA live airport information↗DCA parking and transportation↗DCA economy parking↗DCA rental cars↗DCA cell-phone lot closure↗DCA free 60-minute garage parking↗