Travelling from Washington DC to Philadelphia: what you need to know
Embark on your next adventure from one of Washington DC's main airports, Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Explore your options for booking a flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia setting off from either of these bases.
The major entry paths to Philadelphia are Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN).
Around 1 hour 10 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct Washington DC to Philadelphia flight.
Philadelphia's timezone is UTC-4, which is the same as Washington DC.
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is the most popular route that connects these two cities. There are 25 weekly flights to pick from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia is with American Airlines at 22:55. Opt for the first DCA to PHL departure operated by American Airlines at 06:10 to make the most of your first day in Philadelphia.
For a stress-free start to your trip, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your Washington DC to Philadelphia flight.
You'll likely experience longer lines in popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Philadelphia
Book two months before you want to travel. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Washington DC to Philadelphia flights.
The best month for landing cheap plane tickets from Washington DC to Philadelphia is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates that offer the biggest savings.
There's no need to check back in every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll tell you the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from Washington DC to Philadelphia.
Save money on your Washington DC to Philadelphia flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred duration, departure time and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
You can catch a direct flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia taking off from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). Start your journey at DCA and end it at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
Look out for promotions with American Airlines. This airline offers direct Washington DC to Philadelphia plane tickets from DCA.
Located around 6 kilometres from the centre of Washington DC, DCA can be reached in about 15 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 45 minutes.
Looking for a convenient hotel near Ronald Reagan National Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia, these stays will put you moments from your departure lounge:
When it comes to Ronald Reagan National Airport's on-time performance, 76.44% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
The address for DCA is 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
You can take a nonstop flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia departing from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Start your trip at IAD and disembark at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
United Airlines offers direct Washington DC to Philadelphia plane tickets from IAD. Book your preferred aisle seat and reach your destination in a single journey.
You can get to IAD from central Washington DC in about 50 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to cover the 40 kilometres or so.
Start your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before your flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia, stay in one of these hotels close to Washington Dulles International Airport:
Looking at how often flights stay on schedule, Washington Dulles International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 74%.
The address for IAD is 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
BWI is around 40 kilometres from central Washington DC. Driving from the city centre to the airport takes about 50 minutes. If you're thinking about using public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Take the 'what ifs' out of departure day — stay near Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and know you'll reach your gate with time to spare. Get settled at one of these hotels the day before if you have an early Washington DC to Philadelphia flight:
The on-time performance record of BWI is 77.13%. To put it simply, that's how often flights departing this airport arrive as planned.
Arriving in Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to central Philadelphia takes about 15 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 11 kilometres away.
It typically takes 45 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
If you have a late flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these hotels near PHL:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a Philadelphia International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Budget and explore beyond Philadelphia's main sights.
Lock in the best deal by booking your vehicle from Philadelphia International Airport around three weeks ahead of your departure.
PHL is situated at 8500 Essington Ave.
Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN)
The centre of Philadelphia is approximately 48 kilometres from Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN). After your flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should be around 40 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, you'll reach the centre in 1 hour 45 minutes or so.
Budget, National and Enterprise make collecting a Trenton-Mercer Airport rental car easy and quick. These trusted providers are located around or in the terminal and will have you on the road before long.
Get exactly what you want. Securing your ride from TTN four weeks ahead of time often means better prices and a greater range of vehicles.
The address for Trenton-Mercer Airport is Scotch Road, Terminal Building.
Best time to go to Philadelphia
August is the busiest month for flights from Washington DC to Philadelphia. To avoid the crowds, go to Philadelphia in February.
Book a Washington DC to Philadelphia ticket departing in July if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Philadelphia to range from 18ºC to 32ºC.
Search for cheap flights from Washington DC to Philadelphia in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -7ºC and 9ºC on average.
More about Philadelphia
Start your Philadelphia trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Washington DC to Philadelphia, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are just a couple of the major attractions to add to your Philadelphia travel itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Explore more of United States
You've done Philadelphia, now it's time to discover other corners of United States. Travel around 129 kilometres north-east to New York to check off its top attractions. From Statue of Liberty to Central Park and Empire State Building, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Boston is another well-known destination in United States and is around 434 kilometres north-east of Philadelphia. No trip is complete without seeing Freedom Trail, Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.