DCA, IAD, or BWI?

Yep, it's airport code bingo, folks. This isn't the most exciting topic to kick off the Pearson and Alison wedding blog (a term I'm told ellicits scores of laughs around the country), but it's one I've received questions on over the last few months. Do I fly into National Airport (DCA), Dulles Int'l Airport (IAD), or Baltimore-Washington Int'l Airport (BWI)?

I know many of you have already made your decisions, but I thought I would give you a bit of background so you know what to expect.

First, if you are flying into DCA, you should have no problems getting to your hotel using DC's Metro train system. The station is right outside baggage claim and with a transfer will get you downtown to either the Dupont Circle station or the station closest to your hotel. If you haven't made your reservations and can afford the extra $50-100, fly into DCA.

If IAD is your choice, you are gonna need to decide whether to shell out a few clams for a cab ride or cobble together a trip using public transport. The latter is easier than it sounds, involving a bus to the West Falls Church Metro station. That will then take you into downtown DC.

Now, onto BWI. BWI is a bit of a misnomer in that it is nowhere near Washington. It's kinda like calling LAX "LASDX", as if San Diego is in LA. That's the bad news. The good news is that there is a "MARC" train that runs from just off the airport right to Washington's Union Station, which connects directly to the Metro's Red Line. It requires you to grab a 5 min bus to the MARC train, then hop that train for the 30 min ride to DC. Not bad. Bad news? On the weekends, you have to use Amtrak, which doubles the cost from roughly$6 to $18.

In sum, go through DCA if at all possible. It's worth the extra $50-100, at least until rail service gets going directly to IAD and BWI. Despite that, going through IAD or BWI aren't that BAD.

Later,
PFC