How early to arrive at DCA? (Franconia: airport, garages, parking)

[Grsz11]

If I have a 7 AM Monday morning flight, how early should I arrive at National Airport? I have never been so I don't know what the lines are like. Am I fine catching the first Metro from Franconia at 5?

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by Grsz11

If I have a 7 AM Monday morning flight, how early should I arrive at National Airport? I have never been so I don't know what the lines are like. Am I fine catching the first Metro from Franconia at 5?

6am arrival is plenty. 615 is acceptable if you must.

[atlyoungin]

Originally Posted by johnsonkk

6am arrival is plenty. 615 is acceptable if you must.

Seconded

[gomason]

If you aren't checking bag, 6:20 is fine. There's never a security line at Reagan.

[spencgr]

Remember, it's Monday morning after a holiday weekend. Lots of people in DC for the 4th...lost likely leaving Monday morning.

[woodchuck22013]

Typically the lines at DCA are less than 5-10 minutes. As the earlier posters said, aim for no later than 6:15 and closer to 6 if you like to have some buffer.

Personally, I would get there earlier as Mondays have lots of business travelers so this can add a little more time.

[ACWhite]

I agree with those who say arrive before 6. Monday mornings in the summer have been insane at times. It's true that typically the airport security lines are not bad but there are times that they are--and holiday times add to the crowds. The one thing you have in your favor is that it may be a little less crowded early in the AM than, say, at 10 AM. On the other hand, it's a popular time for business travelers, who like to leave early to get in a longer work day once they land.

I would also check the status of the parking garages, unless you are taking a cab, etc. these may be full on the Monday after a holiday.

I would also prepare for delays, ie be sure to bring work you can do or some other way to use your time. Takeoffs on summer Mondays are crowded too.

[patriot201]

Originally Posted by mjtooley

Typically the lines at DCA are less than 5-10 minutes.

I wish that were what I experienced every time I flew out of DCA. I always seem to run into longer lines than I do at BWI or IAD. I rarely fly out of DCA (though sometime fly into DCA), but have flown out of DCA twice in the past two years.

The last time I flew out of DCA was 12 months ago. The line for security was over 30 minutes long.

Before that trip, my last flight out of DCA was about 10 months before. I also ran into very long lines then. I think the line was about 45 minutes long, which sucked for me because I had a boot on my leg and was in pain (I had planned to take more Advil once I got through security and could get a drink to take the medication. I had taken the Metro to the airport-- so no drinks allowed-- and then was in line for a long time, so I was in need of more Advil). Because I was considered ambulatory, though, they wouldn't let me go through security faster, as they do for other flyers with disabilities. It was a very, very long line, and it seemed even longer because I was in pain.




OP, I hope everything works out well for you tomorrow! Good luck!