Travelling from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): What you need to know
Begin planning your trip by looking up the best departure point for your flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Explore your options for leaving from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), the city's main airports.
Take a direct Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 1 hour 5 minutes.
Philadelphia's timezone is UTC-4, which is the same as Washington DC. Philadelphia International Airport is located in Philadelphia.
With 25 direct weekly flights between the two airports, Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is the busiest route. American Airlines operates the earliest flight at 6:10am. If you prefer to get more out of your day before leaving, the last departure from DCA to PHL is with American Airlines at 10:55pm.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to board your flight from Washington DC to PHL.
With more people on the move during high season, it's smart to get to your terminal earlier than usual. Two hours for domestic flights and up to four for international journeys will allow extra time for delays.
Airports in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Enjoy an uninterrupted journey from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). Direct flights from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) are available from here.
American Airlines is a popular airline that operates direct flights from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport leaving from DCA.
The majority of passengers choose to fly with American Airlines between DCA and PHL.
American Airlines is the most punctual carrier operating on this route, with 74.32% of its services reaching their destination on time.
The journey from central Washington DC to DCA takes around 45 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 8 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a relaxed start to your holiday? Stay near Ronald Reagan National Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels offer the perfect solution:
When it comes to Ronald Reagan National Airport's on-time performance, 76.44% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
DCA is located at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Looking to fly out of Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)? Direct Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) plane tickets are available from here.
United Airlines operates direct flights from Washington DC to PHL out of IAD. Book your favourite window seat and arrive at your destination in one go.
On the IAD to PHL route, United Airlines is the go-to airline for most travellers on this route.
With 75.43% of its services landing on schedule, United Airlines is the most punctual carrier flying between Washington Dulles International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport.
You can reach IAD from the centre of Washington DC in approximately 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic conditions). The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to travel the 56 kilometres or so.
Kick off your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before catching your Washington DC to PHL flight, kick back in one of these hotels close to Washington Dulles International Airport:
When it comes to keeping flights on track, Washington Dulles International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 74.39%.
IAD is located at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
From the centre of Washington DC, BWI is around 48 kilometres away. It'll take you roughly 50 minutes to get to the airport by car and 1 hour 30 minutes or so if you take public transport.
Skip the rush on your departure day — stay close to Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and know you'll be at your gate with time to spare. Get settled at one of these hotels the day before if you've booked an early Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport flight:
The on-time performance rating of BWI is 77.13%. In other words, that's how frequently flights departing this airport arrive at their destination as planned.
About Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Consider staying in a hotel close to PHL if you're catching a late flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport. Select one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Go where the road takes you with a Philadelphia International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Budget and discover more of Philadelphia and beyond.
For the lowest price, reserve your ride around three weeks in advance of your Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport flight.
PHL is located at 8500 Essington Ave.
Getting from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to central Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport is around 11 kilometres from central Philadelphia. How long it takes to get to the centre by car hire or cab depends on the time of day. Do a little research before your trip.
It'll take around 45 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
At the moment, R 2,129 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 3,174. Remember fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Don't leave things to the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap flights from Washington DC to PHL if you book ahead. Airlines often have some amazing early bird deals.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport tickets across each month. It's a great way to snap up a bargain if your travel dates aren't set in stone.
You don't need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know when there's a better deal on plane tickets from Washington DC to PHL.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport.
The best time to fly from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
February is the quietest month for flights from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), while August is the most popular. Figure out the best time to go to Philadelphia based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
When booking your Washington DC to PHL plane ticket, consider the type of weather you enjoy. July is the warmest month in Philadelphia, with temperatures ranging from 18ºC (64ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
January has temperatures of between -7ºC (19ºF) and 9ºC (48ºF). Search for cheap tickets from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Philadelphia
Start your Philadelphia trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia International Airport, explore our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to discover in this city, it can be hard to work out where to start. Independence Hall, Liberty Bell and Philadelphia Museum of Art are major attractions which should feature on every Philadelphia itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
New York is just one of the many places in the United States waiting to be discovered after you've seen Philadelphia. Around 137 kilometres away to the north-east, its top attractions include Central Park, Manhattan Skyline and Statue of Liberty.
If you're ready to explore another major destination in the United States, consider Baltimore, about 137 kilometres south-west of Philadelphia. Baltimore Aquarium, National Aquarium and Washington Monument and Mount Vernon Place are among its highlights.
