Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is only four miles from the center of Washington, D.C. To reach the airport from the capital, take I-395 south to GW Parkway South. From GW Parkway South, take the Airport Exit, which is clearly marked. Once you are on the exit, follow the signs to the terminal or parking lot you need.

If you are coming to the airport from Maryland, which is 18 miles west of the airport, take I-95 South to Woodrow Wilson Bridge. From there, take Route 1 North to the Airport Exit. If you are traveling from the south, such as from Richmond, take I-95 North to I-395 North. Exit at exit 10, which is GW Parkway South. Take this to the Airport Exit and follow the signs to your terminal.

While it is not hard to find the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport by car, you might find it more convenient to take public transportation rather than driving your own vehicle. When you take public transportation, you will not have to worry about parking your car once you arrive. If you are coming from Washington, D.C., you can take the Metrorail system to the airport. The elevated train system has a direct line to each terminal of the airport. Taxis and bus services also run to the airport.

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If you do need to drive your own vehicle to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, you will need to find a place to park once you arrive. If you are picking someone up, you can go to the cell phone waiting area, which is found beyond Terminal B/C after the ramp marked "Return to Airport." This lot is free, but you can only wait for an hour, and someone must stay with the vehicle at all times.

If you need to park, the airport does offer a valet parking service. You will need to make reservations before you arrive, and you will turn your vehicle to the parking attendant when you arrive. The attendant will also arrange for you to be driven to your airline's check in counter.

For those who are only staying at the airport for a few hours, the B/C Terminal has an hourly parking garage. This terminal also has a daily garage with discounted rates for those who stay longer than a few hours. Terminal A has one parking garage. Those who need to save money on parking can park in the Economy Parking Lot, which is located just outside of the airport. A shuttle drives from the Economy Parking Lot to the airport regularly every six or seven minutes. This is the cheapest and largest parking lot, but it is not covered, so your vehicle will not be protected from the elements.

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When you arrive at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the first thing you will need to do is check in for your flight. While the check in procedures vary based on which airline you are flying and whether or not you are flying out of the country, some procedures are the same no matter where you are headed. The airport recommends that all passengers arrive around two hours before a domestic flight to provide enough time for check in and security screening.

Some airlines do offer curbside check in. This service varies based on the type of flight and the airline you have chosen. However, if the government has raised the national terrorist threat level to Code Orange or higher, curbside check in will likely be closed. Also, the Transportation Security Administration does not allow curbside check in with certain flights.

If you have an electronic ticket, you may be allowed to use the kiosks inside the check in hall to check in for your flight. These kiosks are self-service, which means that you will confirm your flight and your seating without a ticket agent. Your boarding pass will be printed for you, and an agent will then check your checked luggage and ID and give you your boarding pass. All you need to have to use this service is a valid credit card in your name and a photo ID.

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After you are done checking in for your flight, you will need to head to security. The security checkpoint at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is run by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). It is important that you follow all of their instructions and guidelines.

Your trip through security will go smoothly if you follow the instructions for proper carry on luggage. You may not bring anything that resembles or could be used as a weapon in your carry on. If you need to bring any liquids or gels with you on the airplane, these have to be in 3-ounce containers that are placed in a zip-top bag and screened separately from the rest of your luggage. Also, if you have a laptop computer or other large electronic item, this has to be screened separately from your carry on luggage. You are allowed to bring milk for babies and some medications, but again, these have to be screened separately. If you are traveling with children and have equipment such as strollers or car seats, be prepared to send those through the x-ray machine. Sometimes the TSA performs random security checks on passengers. You will have your carry on items inspected in more detail of you are chosen for this search.

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If you are traveling through the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport with pets, there are a few requirements you should be familiar with. First, remember that when you are in the terminals, you must have your pets in a carrying case. The only animals allowed in the terminal and do not have to be in a carrying case are service dogs. Also, there is no place after passing through security to allow your animal to go outside. All of these needs must be tended to before you enter the terminal. If you are making a connection through the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and your animal needs to go outside, you will have to go out of the terminal building and then go through security again.

If you are traveling with children, remember to keep your children with you at all times. Children under the age of 16 are not required to have a photo ID to check in for domestic flights. However, they must have an adult with them who has a valid ID and can vouch for them. Children who are traveling alone will be accompanied by airline staff to their flights. If children are arriving at the airport and traveling along, staff will stay with them until they are picked up as well. Most airlines will work with parents of children who are traveling alone to allow them to go with their children to the gate. Under normal circumstances, however, only ticketed passengers can pass through security.

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The staff at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport wants to make sure that those with special needs who are traveling through their airport are accommodated well. The goal of the staff is to see that all passengers can use the facilities in the airport. This fits well with the fact that Washington, D.C., is one of the most accessible cities in the country.

All of the parking facilities at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are equipped with parking spaces for those in wheelchairs or with other physical needs. Only those with handicapped plates or tags can use these parking spaces. Some of the shuttles that travel from the parking centers to the airport are equipped with lifts and seating for those in wheelchairs.

Inside the airport, those with special needs will find that the restrooms, drinking fountains, and telephones are adapted for their use. Also, those with hearing disabilities will find TTY phones in Terminal B and Terminal C. These are marked with white and blue signs. Each pay phone in the terminal has Braille or raised numbers on the keypad, and they are all hearing-aid friendly.

Additionally, the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport utilizes a Visual Paging System that goes with its public address system when airport information is broadcast. This allows those with hearing disabilities to see the announcement on a screen. This ensures that all passengers know when their flights are boarding and are alerted to any pages they need to answer. All flight and baggage information screens have been designed to eliminate as much glare as possible to allow all passengers to read them and get the information they need.

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Beyond the services for those with special needs, the staff at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has several Airport Passenger Services to allow all passengers to have a convenient and comfortable trip through the airport. The Business Service Center in Terminal C is where international travelers can exchange their currency. Business travelers can also send faxes or make a photocopy from this center. It is also equipped with a notary public and insurance facility.

Baggage carts can be rented in all terminals and parking garages, as well as at the Metrorail station. These are located in self-service kiosks. Skycap services are available at the curb outside of the check in counters and throughout the terminals. There are several post office boxes throughout the terminals for those who wish to send a last minute letter, bill, or post card.

The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has a special lounge for military personnel and their families who are traveling through the airport. The USO (United Service Organization) Lounge is located in Terminal A on the second floor. Here military personnel can visit with their families, say their goodbyes, and prepare for their trip.

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The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has many different stores that you can use to purchase last minute gifts or travel gear before your flight. For reading material, consider shopping at Borders Books and News or Olsson's Books. The Smithsonian Museum Store, Capital Image, or D.C. Marketplace are great choices for a last minute souvenir or gift. America! is another great choice. If you would like to purchase fine chocolates for someone back home stop at Godiva. You can purchase electronics or CDs at PalmOne or Brookstone. The Rosetta Stone stores is where you can purchase computer programs that will teach you a foreign language.

If you need to pick up an article of clothing that you forgot to pack, consider shopping at Crabtree and Evelyn, Johnston and Murphy, Brooks Brothers, or Kits Etc. Jewelry can be purchased at the Taxco Sterling Company. The Sunglass Hut or Wilsons Leather are other popular retailers at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

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Of course, you might find that you get a little hungry at some point during your travels. If airline food is not your cup of tea, consider getting a bite to eat before you leave on your flight. If you need to eat quickly, consider one of the many fast food options, such as Allie's Deli, Cosi, Famiglia Pizzderia, Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries, Panda Express, or Potbelly, among others. If you are searching for a hot cup of coffee before a morning flight, head to Starbucks, Primo Cappuccino, Mayorga Coffee Roasters, or Illy's Coffee.

If you have a long layover or some extra time before your flight, you can have a sit down meal in a nicer restaurant at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport as well. You could choose Carmella's Kitchen, the DCA Bar and Grill, Legal Sea Foods, Matsutake Sushi, T.G.I. Friday's, or Sam's Brewhouse. Most of these sit down restaurants also offer take out for the traveler looking for fine food on a tight schedule. Whatever food you enjoy eating the most, you will be able to find a restaurant or snack cart that offers it at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

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