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A Beginner's Guide to Cheap RoundTrip Flights to Washington D.C.

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A Beginner's Guide to Cheap RoundTrip Flights to Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States and a popular tourist destination. Washington, DC has much more to offer than powerhouse politicos and suited and booted lobbyists. It is a vibrant city with fantastic history, culture, an incredible food scene, and so much more. More than 15 million visitors make their way to Washington, D.C. each year. Follow these tips to book your cheap roundtrip flights to Washington, D.C., saving up to $250.

Cover Photo:Lars_Nissen on Pixabay

1. There are three major airports in the Washington D.C.

- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (airport code: DCA)

DCA is much closer to the center of the city than IAD. About 10 minutes driving (may vary with traffic).

- Washington Dulles International Airport (airport code: IAD)

IAD has direct flights from many international hubs. About 38 minutes driving to the center of the city (may vary with traffic).

- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (airport code: BWI)

If you're going to Northeastern D.C. suburbs flying into Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) is more convenient.

2. The cheapest airport to fly into Washington D.C.

If you want an airport that has a Metro station and is near D.C., then National is the best. If you're looking for cheaper airfare, then you are most likely to find it if you fly into BWI or IAD. However, neither of those 2 airports are that close to DC.

3. The cheapest day of the week to fly to Washington D.C., saving up to $150

The cheapest days to fly are Tuesday and Wednesday, when you'll save up to $150 per ticket. Apparently, this is due to airlines announcing deals on Monday evenings. By Tuesday at noon, other airlines are trying to match those deals. Sunday is the most expensive. The cheapest day to travel domestically depends on the airport, but internationally, Thursday and Friday are best.

4. The cheapest months to Washington D.C. are January and February, saving up to $200

The best times to visit Washington, D.C., are from September to November and March to May. In the autumn, the sweltering summer is gone, taking with it most of the high season tourists. All that's left are crisp breezes and changing leaves, which, by the way, look great against all those marble monuments. Second to fall is spring, which is also a mini high season thanks to the National Cherry Blossom Festival in late March and early April. You can save up to $200 (mostly) if you avoid these high seasons.

5. The cheapest time to book a flight to Washington D.C. is 10 days in advance, saving up to $250

A well-organized traveler can save up to $250 on the price of their round-trip ticket by booking 10 days in advance of their departure date. So make sure to book at least 10 days in advance for the chance of a reasonable deal on your flight.

6. Cheap roundtrip flights from Popular Cities to Washington D.C.

- San Francisco to Washington D.C. roundtrip flights as low as $206

- Los Angeles to Washington D.C. roundtrip flights as low as $184

- San Diego to Washington D.C. roundtrip flights as low as $234

- Chicago to Washington D.C. roundtrip flights as low as $125

- New York to Washington D.C. roundtrip flights as low as $129

- New Mexico to Washington D.C. roundtrip flights as low as $269

- Dallas to Washington D.C. roundtrip flights as low as $203

Learn more ways to find the best deals on airfare, you can visit Expedia, CheapOair, Orbitz, CheapTickets, Travelocity, Priceline, and Justfly. Don't forget to sign up at Extrabux (What is Extrabux?), then you can get up to 6% super cashback from Extrabux! Sign-Up Bonus: Free to join it & get $20 welcome bonus!