Traveling from Portland International Airport (PDX) to Washington DC: what you need to know
Expect to be traveling for 5 hours 50 minutes. That's the average duration of a direct flight from Portland International Airport to Washington DC.
The timezone in Washington DC is UTC-4. The city is three hours ahead of Portland, where Portland International Airport is located.
The most popular route is from Portland International Airport (PDX) to Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). You can select from seven services every week between these two airports. Alaska Airlines offers a 07:42 departure between PDX and DCA.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to catch your PDX to Washington DC flight.
If you're traveling during a major holiday or another peak period, give yourself more time. A good rule is two hours ahead of domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Check-in and security lines will be longer.
Begin your trip at PDX and go straight to Washington DC without any stops. When booking a direct Portland International Airport to Washington DC ticket, these are your landing options:
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Choose from a variety of carriers offering direct flights from Portland International Airport to Washington DC. Get on board with any of these:
PDX is around 6 miles from central Portland. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the center, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 45 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Portland International Airport to Washington DC? Avoid rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these hotels close to PDX:
83.65% of flights departing from Portland International Airport touch down at their destination on schedule. With its solid on-time performance, you're unlikely to face delays when jetting out of PDX.
PDX is located at 7000 NE Airport Way.
How to find the cheapest flights from Portland International Airport (PDX) to Washington DC
$112 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Portland International Airport to Washington DC flight. A round-trip ticket right now is $206. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares may change.
To secure cheap flights from PDX to Washington DC, book your trip one month ahead of your departure date.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring an epic deal on Portland International Airport to Washington DC tickets. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across every month.
Save time searching for cheap flights from PDX to Washington DC by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when a new low fare is offered.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Portland International Airport to Washington DC.
Airports in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is around 5 miles from central Washington DC. If you're opting for a ride-share or a cab, the drive takes roughly 15 minutes.
It typically takes 45 minutes to get there by public transport.
If you have a late flight from Portland International Airport to Washington DC, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near DCA:
Pick up a Ronald Reagan National Airport rental car and explore Washington DC and beyond with your own set of wheels. Thrifty, Sixt and Dollar are leading providers you can book with here.
Get the best deal by reserving your vehicle from Ronald Reagan National Airport around four weeks before your flight from PDX to Washington DC.
The address for DCA is 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Central Washington DC is located around 35 miles from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). After your flight from Portland International Airport to Washington DC has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 50 minutes.
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll get to the city center in 1 hour 10 minutes or so.
After stepping off your PDX to Washington DC flight, settle in at a hotel close to IAD. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
No time to waste? The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Washington Dulles International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Sixt and make a speedy getaway.
Avoid last-minute price surges. Reserving your ride one week before your arrival at IAD can help you lock in a better rate.
Washington Dulles International Airport is located at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Hop off your flight from Portland International Airport to Washington DC and head straight for your hotel or start discovering the city right away. Central Washington DC is around 30 miles from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and usually takes 50 minutes to reach driving.
The journey takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes by public transport.
Reserve a hotel close to BWI and go from landing to lounging in your room in a flash. Whether you have a late PDX to Washington DC flight or just want to simplify your travel plans, these stays put comfort right within reach:
Whether you'd like a mini for a solo trip or a roomy SUV to fit the whole crew comfortably, you'll find the perfect Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport rental car for your needs. Explore the types of wheels available from providers such as Dollar, Thrifty and Budget.
Get ahead of the game and reap the rewards. Book your vehicle from BWI two weeks before your flight from Portland International Airport to Washington DC to access the best deals.
Best time to go to Washington DC
Plan your trip to Washington DC in high season if you prefer a bustling atmosphere, but remember that prices tend to be higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Portland International Airport to Washington DC during low season when prices are cheaper and it's less crowded.
Book a Portland International Airport to Washington DC plane ticket with a departure in July if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 66ºF to 91ºF.
January sees average temperatures of between 21ºF and 50ºF. Look for a cheap ticket from PDX to Washington DC around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Washington DC
Start your Washington DC trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Portland International Airport to Washington DC, explore our range of accommodation options including:
Every great vacation has to include some sightseeing. The White House, White House Historical Association and National Mall are essential stops on your Washington DC itinerary.
Explore more of United States
Washington DC has plenty going for it, but there are so many other parts of United States just waiting to be explored. Around 200 miles north-east of Washington DC, a visit to New York will keep your itinerary busy. Check out popular attractions like Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Empire State Building.
If you're interested in discovering another major destination in United States, consider Philadelphia, about 120 miles north-east of Washington DC. Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Philadelphia Museum of Art are highlights.