Travelling from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): What you need to know
Begin your travels at one of Washington DC's main airports, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Check out your options for booking a flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) jetting off from either of these.
Around 1 hour 5 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport flight.
Washington DC and Philadelphia (where Philadelphia International Airport is located) share the UTC-5 timezone. That means you won't need to adjust your watch when you arrive.
With 16 direct flights a week between the two airports, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is the most popular route. American Airlines operates the earliest flight at 6:10am. If you prefer to get more out of your day before you fly, the latest flight from DCA to PHL is with American Airlines at 10:55pm.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your flight from Washington DC to PHL.
Peak months like July or high seasons such as Thanksgiving and Christmas will mean longer lines at check-in and security. Be on the safe side and get to the terminal even earlier. Arriving two hours before domestic flights and up four hours ahead of an international flight is a smart idea.
Airports in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
You can jump on a direct flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
American Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct flights from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport taking off from DCA.
American Airlines is the most frequently chosen airline for flights from DCA to PHL.
With 69.3% of services landing as planned, American Airlines is the top performer for punctuality on this route.
DCA is around 6 kilometres from central Washington DC. If you're catching a taxi, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 10 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 25 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and get a little more snooze time) by picking one of these stays close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport:
71% of flights that leave from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport reach their destination on time.
You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Planning to leave from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)? Direct Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) plane tickets can be booked from this popular hub.
United Airlines has direct flights from Washington DC to PHL departing from IAD. Book your favourite window seat and reach your destination in one go.
On the IAD to PHL route, United is the go-to airline for most travellers on this route.
The top carrier for punctuality is United. Its Washington Dulles International Airport to Philadelphia International Airport flights land as scheduled 76.86% of the time.
You can get to IAD from central Washington DC in approximately 45 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to travel the 40 kilometres or so.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before boarding your Washington DC to PHL flight? Check in to a hotel near Washington Dulles International Airport before your break officially begins. These stays are expecting you:
77% of flights out of Washington Dulles International Airport arrive according to schedule.
IAD is located at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)
The trip to BWI from central Washington DC is around 50 minutes on public transport. If you're going by car, it'll take you roughly 40 minutes to cover the 48 kilometres or so.
Make catching an early Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport flight one of the easiest parts of your trip. Book a room at one of these hotels near Baltimore Washington International Airport and head to your check-in counter without rushing:
The on-time performance rating of BWI is 77%. In other words, that's how frequently flights from this airport arrive at their final stop as planned.
About Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
If you're arriving on a late flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these hotels near PHL:
Lock in the best possible rate by booking your ride around three weeks before your Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport flight.
The street address for PHL is 8500 Essington Ave.
Getting from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to central Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport is around 18 kilometres from central Philadelphia. It takes around 20 minutes or so to get to the city by car.
Travelling on public transport takes roughly 30 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport is $104. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $201. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares may change.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap flights from Washington DC to PHL if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some great early bird rates.
Affordable Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport tickets are easier to find if your travel dates are flexible. Try using the 'Whole month' search function to compare fares throughout the month and then pick the cheapest day.
Locking in a cheap plane ticket from Washington DC to PHL couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when prices go down.
Filters make it easier to find a bargain for your flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport. Choose the flight times, carriers and stops that check all your boxes. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to zero in on the cheapest fare fast.
The best time to fly from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
December is the quietest month for flights from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), while July is the most popular. Pick the best time to go to Philadelphia based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in Philadelphia is July, with temperatures ranging between 18ºC (64ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Book your Washington DC to PHL plane ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
Search for cheap tickets from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -7ºC (19ºF) and 9ºC (48ºF).
More about Philadelphia
Once you've booked your flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring Philadelphia:
Independence Hall and Liberty Bell are just the start of the leading attractions to add to your Philadelphia travel itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Explore more of the United States
New York is just one of the many cities in the United States waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Philadelphia. Around 137 kilometres away to the northeast, top sights here include Central Park, Statue of Liberty and Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Baltimore is another favourite destination in the United States and is around 137 kilometres southwest of Philadelphia. No trip is complete without a visit to National Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium and Washington Monument and Mount Vernon Place.
