Reagan National Airport (DCA) offers some of the most affordable airport transfers in the US thanks to its proximity to downtown and direct Metro connection. Here is what you will actually pay.
Price breakdown by transport and destination
Two of the options here have published tariffs you can check yourself. The rest quote you per trip. Here is how each one is actually priced.
Metrorail — the published fare bands
Washington Metro uses variable pricing based on distance and time of day:
| When | Full fare | Reduced fare |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 5 am – 9:30 pm | $2.25 – $6.75 | $1.10 – $3.35 |
| Weekday after 9:30 pm, and all weekend | $2.25 – $2.50 | $1.10 – $1.25 |
Fixed-price private transfer
DCA Washington DC
From€52for 2 passengers
(WMATA, 2026.) Note that peak pricing now covers the whole weekday from 5 am to 9:30 pm — not just the old morning and evening rush windows. DCA is close to central DC, so those trips sit near the bottom of whichever band applies, and on a weekend evening almost everything on the system is $2.25–$2.50. WMATA's trip planner prices any station pair exactly.
Metrobus is a flat $2.25 (express routes $4.80).
Taxi fare structure
DC taxis use meters — there is no flat rate from the airport. The regulated tariff, effective 2 August 2024 (DC Department of For-Hire Vehicles):
- First 1/8 mile: $4.00
- Each additional mile: $2.56
- Passenger surcharge: $0.50 per trip
- Emergency fuel surcharge: $1.00
- Waiting time: $25 per hour
Central DC is roughly 4 miles from DCA, so the meter lands around $15–$20 before tip — add more when traffic is heavy, since waiting time is billed. A tip of 15–20% is expected and customary in the US. These rates are revised periodically; the rate card is displayed in the cab and the current tariff is published at dfhv.dc.gov.
Rideshare pricing
Uber and Lyft quote your fare in the app before you book, so there is no need to guess. During rush hour or events, surge pricing can push a rideshare above the metered taxi rate — compare the two before committing.
When is a private transfer worth the cost?
A private transfer prices well above a taxi for the same short route, and the price is fixed when you book. The value comes from guaranteed availability, flight monitoring, meet-and-greet service, and the ability to request child seats or larger vehicles. For solo travelers or couples at an airport this close in, it is a luxury. For families with luggage or business travelers needing reliability, the premium is justified.