Washington Airports (2003 Worlds)

[kimkom]

I'm just looking into the cost of flights to Worlds in March, and I understand there are three Airports in Washington.

Does anyone know which one is closest (I'm staying at the Residence Inn - 5 blocks from the MCI Centre). I don't want to pay a fortune for transportation from the airport to the hotel.

Thanks. kimkom

[Debbie S]

Reagan National is the closest to downtown D.C. Dulles is in VA, so it's probably about a 20-30 minute or so cab ride, depending on traffic. BWI (Balt-Wash) is along I-95 between Baltimore and Washington, so it's further away. Generally, National is much easier when taking domestic flights, as Dulles is the main int'l airport in the area. In fact, I believe National only handles domestic traffic - not sure if it includes Canada.

[Blue Ridge]

If you can get your flight to and from National, you will be in luck. National is incredibly convenient, you can take the Metro to your hotel.

Dulles is much further and if you don't want to spend a fortune, you won't be taking a cab, which could take up to 40 minutes or more. There are airport buses from Dulles to downtown that are pretty convenient but a bit expensive. You can also take an airport bus to the Metro and get downtown that way. That's cheaper but takes quite a bit longer.

The only reason to ever use BWI for transportation in and out of Washington is if your top priority is the cost of the flight. It is the farthest from D.C. and traffic can be a mess getting in and out of there. That's why you can get the cheapest flights to and from BWI to D.C.

[Aaron W]

I would definitely check in with some of the BWI services to see what kind of costs it would take for a ride from the airport to your hotel and back again. If it's not too much, BWI might be a better choice. When you consider the price difference between the other two airports and BWI, it really is quite large. Of course you might not be saving much if transportation to and from BWI to your hotel costs a lot.

Here's a link to the BWI'w web site with information on traveling to and from DC. http://www.bwiairport.com/frames/1_washington.html Hopefully this will give you a general price range for the travel and then you can decide if it will be worth it flying into BWI or flying into one of the other airports (probably National).

-Aaron (who's always on the lookout for a bargain, but will probably just drive from Ohio to DC for Worlds :))

[olivia]

Yup, I'd agree that you'll definitely get a better bargain flying into BWI. If you're looking to save $$, that's probably the call. If convenience is your priority, fly into National.

O-

[Moto Guzzi]

[quote:2185bc7f65="Debbie S"] In fact, I believe National only handles domestic traffic - not sure if it includes Canada.[/quote:2185bc7f65]

Yes, it does include Canada. I've flown to Canada from National many times.

I've flown out of all three airports but, unless the Baltimore flights are substantially cheaper, I prefer either National or Dulles because they are closer and more convenient for me.

[Garden Kitty]

I noticed that you mentioned staying at a Residence Inn near the MCI Center. I made reservations at the Residence Inn at Thomas Circle for Worlds. Do any of you know how far that is from the Center? Is it walking distance or at least convenient by the Metro? I'd appreciate any tips since I'm not at all familiar with DC. Thanks!

[Rob]

If you do go to BWI or Dulles, try calling Super Shuttle for a reservation - 1-800-BLUEVAN instead of grabbing a cab. Much cheaper. There can sometimes be issues crossing the line from MD to DC in a cab or shuttle though, but they can tell you what is up. If you go to BWI, beware of SouthWest if you will be pressed tfor time. Great rate, long wait. Over 3 hours to check in sometimes. I was at BWI in April and I could not believe the line at Southwest - it wound all over the airport, while there were 2 people in my line at Northwest. It took my friend 6 hours to check in at Southwest but that was at Xmas. National is usually higher priced on the weekdays - business hours - but you can get some good weekend rates there.

http://www.supershuttle.com/htm/cities/bwi.htm
http://www.supershuttle.com/htm/cities/dca.htm

[Inside Edge]

Another suggestion for saving money would be to stay in a hotel in either Virginia or Maryland. (A hotel in Virginia would probably be best since it is also near National airport) These hotels are often 1/2 of the price of a DC hotel & are just as nice. The DC Metro is very conventient and the ride from Arlington or Alexandria Virginia would be minimal. Many hotel guides include the distance from the nearest Metro system. The most useful guide is the one put out by AAA. Sometimes is is more convenient to catch the Metro than to walk the distance that may be required from your hotel in DC (depending on where you stay)

I would encourage anyone who has the extra time to see the sights in DC. It will be well worth the effort if you can squeeze in both skating & sight seeing.

[Blue Ridge]

Regarding Thomas Circle, it is a bit of a walk from MCI; not a bad one if you like to walk, but you wouldn't want to do it by yourself at night. Metro won't really work from MCI to Thomas Circle (which is several blocks from a station), so you are probably going to want to cab it.

[Melanie Z]

I fly to DC quite a bit for business (every 4 to 6 weeks) and I try to avoid BWI like the plague unless the tickets are WAY cheaper. Dulles is my favorite as I have experienced very few delays, and Reagan National is good but the flights are more expensive and security is tighter. I flew into National the day after a "terrorist alert" and security was TIGHT and caused about a 2 hour delay. Other than that day, no problems. When I am in DC, I ride the subway. It's cheap and very easy to navigate. I have stayed at the Hyatt right across from the MCI center and the subway goes right under it. You can also take the subway from Reagan National and get around DC pretty easy. I find it a change of pace from taking a cab and a little more advernturesome.

I totally agree with taking in the sights. The museums are free and within walking distance or short cab rides. My favorites are the Holocost, Museum of Natural Science (I think thats the name, it's the one where the Hope Diamond and the Dinosaurs are) and the my husband likes the Space/Flight Musuem (the name escapes me). Have fun and where REALLY comfortable walking shoes.

Last time I was there, we walked from the Hyatt (by the MCI Center) to Chinatown and ate at the BEST CHINESE resturaunt. It's Tony Chens or something like that. I'm pretty sure it's Tony something and the food was to die for. YUM YUM YUMMY

[Blue Ridge]

:wink: Museum of Natural History is cool. And if that is your area of interest then also on your to do list is the National Zoo (much more than just pandas!).

[flo]

I fly in and out of BWI frequently, and don't really care for National. Check the prices, and then the organizers to see if there will be shuttles from BWI.

[donnamarie]

National Airport is convenient ... BWI is often a lot cheaper though ... but if you don't have a car, I'm not sure how you'd get from BWI to your DC hotel ... (I refuse to call it the Ronald Reagan National Airport ... I resent his name being rammed down our throats ... by naming the airport after him they alienate the half of the people who don't think he was a great president)

[Artistic Skaters]

You can take the MARC commuter train from BWI to a metro stop in suburban MD or Union Station in DC if you arrive during the day. You can also take the metro from National.

http://www.mtamaryland.com/index.cfm

[manleywoman]

[quote:5aeae4b64f="donnamarie"] (I refuse to call it the Ronald Reagan National Airport ... I resent his name being rammed down our throats ... by naming the airport after him they alienate the half of the people who don't think he was a great president)[/quote:5aeae4b64f]

I HEAR YA!!

But that's another topic... :wink:

[Garden Kitty]

Thanks for the info on Thomas Circle, BlueRidge. I've been to DC a few times, but mainly for work and I"m still not familiar with the city. Worlds is going to be the first skating competition I attend in person so I appreciate all the info I"ve found on this board.

[Blue Ridge]

There seem to be quite a few of us from the D.C. area here, so as we get closer, you should be able to get all your questions answered! It is so exciting that Worlds is in D.C.!! :D

[kimkom]

Garden Kitty, it's my first World too - are you as excited as I am?? I hope a bunch of us can meet up - I'm going alone so I will need to talk about the day with someone or I'll go nuts..(over dinner or a drink or something!)

To everyone who has replied, thanks so much for the wealth of info about DC...keep it comin'!

kimkom