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DCAWashington·Ronald Reagan Washington National·Washington, United States
How long is your layover?
30 min45 min1 hr1¼ hr1½ hr2 hr2½ hr3 hr4 hr
Recommended minimum45 minutes
Quick Stats
Concourses
2
Terminal 1, Terminal 2
Max Transit
20m
via walking
Avg. Security
15m
~8m with PreCheck
Primary Hub
American Airlines
Minimum Connection Times
Domestic → Domestic
35min
Domestic → International
40min
International → Domestic
35min
International → International
45min
Washington skylinePhoto by Mark Stebnicki on Pexels
AD PLACEMENT — CONTEXTUAL
Getting Between Concourses
Terminal 1 (mostly regional and smaller carriers) and Terminal 2 (the American Airlines hub concourses, formerly B/C) are linked by an outdoor/parking-garage walkway that takes about 10-15 minutes on foot, or a free shuttle bus that runs every few minutes and adds waiting time. There is no security re-screening between terminals since both sit landside of their own checkpoints, but you must clear whichever terminal's checkpoint you arrive at if you're coming from outside the secure area.
Busyness — Connection Risk
12a6a12p6p12a
Low risk
Moderate
High risk
Key Facts
small two-terminal layout
American Airlines mini-hub
inter-terminal walk or shuttle required
no real international customs process
Airlines at DCA
American Airlines
Common Questions
Is 30 minutes enough for a layover at DCA?

Still tight even for same-terminal AA connections given walking distances within Terminal 2's concourses. See full 30 min guide →

Is 45 minutes enough for a layover at DCA?

Comfortable for same-terminal transfers and adequate for a brisk inter-terminal walk. See full 45 min guide →

Is 1 hour enough for a layover at DCA?

An hour comfortably covers any combination of gates and terminals at this small airport. See full 1 hr guide →

Is 1 hour 15 min enough for a layover at DCA?

Ample time with room for gate changes or a slower shuttle wait. See full 1¼ hr guide →

Is 1½ hours enough for a layover at DCA?

Generous connection time at a compact airport like DCA, even during peak hours. See full 1½ hr guide →

Is 2 hours enough for a layover at DCA?

Well beyond what's needed anywhere at DCA. See full 2 hr guide →

Is 2½ hours enough for a layover at DCA?

Excessive for this airport's small footprint, though fine if you prefer a relaxed layover. See full 2½ hr guide →

Is 3 hours enough for a layover at DCA?

Far more time than DCA's size and operations require. See full 3 hr guide →

Is 4 hours enough for a layover at DCA?

Very long for an airport this compact, but useful if you have flexible plans or want to explore nearby DC. See full 4 hr guide →

Other Airport Guides
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AD PLACEMENT — BEFORE FOOTER