Washington Reagan Airport Guide (DCA)

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Washington Reagan Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

Terminal 2 is not cleared at night so you can sleep there. Look for the cozy blue chairs near gates E49, E50 and E51. Otherwise, pick your floor spot and settle in. – a traveller

DCA Airport Overview

Washington Reagan Airport Guide — Photo courtesy of a SleepingInAirports contributor / 08Jun2014)

What to Expect

Washington Reagan Airport (code: DCA) has two terminals connected landside by a walkway and free shuttle buses departing every 10-15 minutes. Terminal 1 (A Gates) and Terminal 2 (B, C, D, E Gates) have recently been renovated.

Travellers here will find a variety of dining and shopping options, most of which close by 10:00 PM. A Dunkin Donuts stays open 24 hours near the entrance to Terminal 1. WiFi is available to help pass the time. Economy class travellers can pay to enter a few airport lounges.

Sleeping in Washington Reagan Airport

Sleeping at Washington Reagan Airport is possible, with the better overnight options generally found after security in Terminal 2. Most seating has armrests, so travellers often resort to the floor, and recurring complaints include cold temperatures, bright lights, announcements and overnight cleaning. The airport remains open overnight, but security checkpoints close, so travellers hoping to stay airside need to clear security before they shut for the night. For detailed sleeping locations, conditions, photos and traveller tips, see our Guide to Sleeping in Washington Reagan Airport or read the latest traveller reviews.

For uninterrupted sleep, several nearby hotels offer a free airport shuttle. See Airport Hotels in the guide below for more info.

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Airport Hours

The terminal building (landside) is open 24 hours. Security checkpoints close overnight, so passengers must remain landside unless they already have access airside with a valid boarding pass during operating hours.

TSA checkpoint hours (subject to change):

Terminal 1: 4:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Terminal 2 North: 4:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Terminal 2 South: 4:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Rest & Relaxation Zones

There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones; however, informal spots with padded benches can be found around the airport. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Airport Hotels

Quick Facts

Nearest Hotel: Within a 10-minute drive
Sleep Cabins or Pods: No
Day Rooms: No
Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, several hotels are located a short drive away. There are no transit hotels, sleep pods, or day rooms on the secure side, so all hotel stays require exiting security. Some nearby hotels offer complimentary shuttle service. For pick-up, courtesy phones are available in the baggage claim area. We’ve included a few of the nearby hotels offering shuttles here:

Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel
(0.5 mi / 0.8 km) Upscale hotel.

Residence Inn Capital View
(0.5 mi / 0.8 km) Mid-range hotel.

Courtyard Marriott Arlington Crystal City/Reagan National
(0.6 mi / 1.0 km) Mid-range hotel.

Holiday Inn National Airport/Crystal City
(0.6 mi / 1.0 km) Mid-range hotel.

Hilton Garden Inn Reagan National Airport
(0.7 mi / 1.1 km) Mid-range hotel.

Airport Lounges

Airline Lounges

American Airlines Admirals Club

Location: Airside, Terminal 2 (Gates C, D, and E). Hours: 4:00 AM – 10:30 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (from USD 79 per person) • Lounge membership programs (Admirals Club) • American Express Platinum/Centurion (when flying American Airlines or a Oneworld partner) • Eligible passengers in First/Business Class on American Airlines or Oneworld partner flights • Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald status holders.

Delta Sky Club

Location: Airside, Terminal 2 (Concourse B, near Gate 10). Hours: 4:15 AM – 8:45 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (from USD 79 per person, same-day Delta ticket required) • Lounge membership programs: Delta Sky Club Membership • American Express Platinum/Centurion (when flying Delta) • Eligible passengers in First/Business Class on Delta or SkyTeam partner flights • SkyTeam Elite Plus members.

United Club

Location: Airside, Terminal 2 (Concourse B, near Gate 11). Hours: 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (from USD 59 per person) • Prepaid lounge passes: United Club one-time pass (available via United app or Chase United MileagePlus credit card benefit) • Lounge membership programs (United Club) • Eligible passengers in First/Business Class on United or Star Alliance partner flights • Star Alliance Gold status holders.

Military Lounge

USO Lounge – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Landside, Terminal A (Mezzanine Level, near South Metrorail station bridge). Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Free for active duty U.S. military personnel and their families (with valid military ID).

Food & Drinks

Food outlets operate on varying schedules, with most locations closing overnight. Late-night options are very limited.

Dunkin’ Donuts – Landside, National Hall, near the walkway to Terminal A
CNBC News – Landside, National Hall, near the walkway to Terminal A

Drinking Water
Free drinking fountains and bottle refill stations are available both landside and airside. A reader reports multiple refill points throughout the terminal (June 2024).

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Luggage storage and lockers are not available. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Mobile Charging

Free charging stations are available airside throughout the terminal. Look for “Power Up” signs. Some restaurants in Terminal 1 also offer seating with access to power outlets. Riklik1984 tells us, in Terminal 2 there are tables with wireless charging pads and almost all chairs have outlets nearby or in the seats. (April 2026)

Showers

Public shower facilities are not available. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

WiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available. Connect to the “FlyReagan” network. An email address and postal/ZIP code are required to log in. International visitors can enter “YES” in the postal/ZIP code field to proceed.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Art in the Airport – Take a short break with free public art from the DCA Art Program. Permanent and rotating works are displayed throughout the terminals. Exhibits highlighting local history can also be found near Terminal A and between the parking garages.
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available throughout the terminal. Fees may apply, so check with your bank if travelling internationally.
Baby Care Facilities – Private nursing rooms are available and include seating, power outlets, and changing tables. Additional baby-change facilities are located near restrooms.
Baggage Carts – Luggage carts are available throughout the terminal for a fee.
Chapel – An interfaith chapel is available for quiet reflection and prayer. Scheduled worship services and designated prayer times for multiple faiths are offered.
Currency Exchange – A currency exchange office is available landside in the National Hall. Hours are limited.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available, along with a variety of retail stores selling travel essentials, gifts, books, and snacks.
Information Desk – Information desks are located landside in all terminals and can assist with general questions, directions, and airport services.
Observation Area – Outdoor terraces on the departures level of Terminals B and C offer fresh air and runway views when open. Terminal A also has seating areas with views of aircraft activity.
Pet Relief – Designated outdoor pet relief areas are available landside near terminal entrances.
Smoking – Smoking is not permitted inside the terminal. Designated outdoor areas are available.
Spa – XpresSpa provides massage, skincare, and relaxation services for travellers looking to unwind.
Traveler’s Aid – Traveler’s Aid is a non-profit organization that assists stranded and distressed passengers. Volunteers assist passengers with general airport and destination queries and situations such as transportation assistance, lost or stolen money, wiring money, emergency housing, etc. Locations: Desks are located landside in each terminal (Terminal 1, Terminal 2 North/South baggage levels and concourses). Hours are roughly: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Mon–Fri) • 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Sat) • 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Sun).

Airlines

Washington Reagan Airport is served by the following airlines: Air Canada • Alaska Airlines • American Airlines • Delta Air Lines • Frontier Airlines • JetBlue • Southwest Airlines • United Airlines.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Car Rentals

Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Payless • Thrifty and Zip Car have on-site rental desks at the Terminal Parking Garage A. Advantage and EZ Rent are off-site. Free “Parking / Rental Car” shuttles stop outside of baggage claim at each terminal to bring passengers to the rental car area at Garage A. Terminal Parking Garage A is just a 10-minute walk from Terminals A & B or a 15-minute walk from Terminal C.

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Hotel Shuttles

See Airport Hotels above.

Inter-Terminal Shuttle

Reagan National Airport runs a courtesy shuttle service that runs on airport grounds only. Each shuttle has a sign on its front and side that displays the area of the airport that it services: “All Terminals” for Terminals A, B, C and the Metrorail station, “Economy” for the Economy Parking Lot, “Rental Car / Parking” for Terminals A, B and C parking lots and the rental car area, and “Employee” for the Employee Parking Lot.

Metrorail

The Metrorail, or “Metro”, is the subway system serving Washington DC metropolitan area, including parts of Virginia and Maryland. Reagan National Airport can be reached by two of the six colour-coded routes: blue and yellow. Terminals B and C are connected to the airport’s elevated Metrorail station via covered pedestrian bridges. Terminal A can be reached by taking an “Airport Shuttle bus” between the Metrorail station and the Terminal B and C parking garages.

Shared Ride Services

SuperShuttle and Supreme Airport Shuttle offer door-to-door shared-ride airport service in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The shuttles are available on demand outside each terminal on the baggage claim level. You can also book the service online or visit the shuttle desk at the airport to book your ride.

Taxi

Taxis are readily available outside each airport terminal on the baggage claim level. Notify the Taxi Dispatcher if you need a wheelchair-accessible taxi or a taxi that accepts credit cards. Taxis charge for the journey according to the taxi meter.

Last updated: 2026-01-07

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.

Washington Reagan Airport Guide