Arriving in the Washington, D.C. Area
Transportation from DC Airports to DC Hotels
Most international flights arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in the Virginia suburbs. Options for getting into D.C. include:
Approximately $29.00 one-way to D.C. Capitol Hill hotels. The blue SuperShuttle vans are available 24 hours a day with after- hours phone pickup service available at the SuperShuttle ticket counter. SuperShuttle is a shared-ride van service with multiple passengers and multiple stops at hotel destinations. At Dulles the ticket counter is on the lower level by Door 2 for international arrivals and by Door 6 for domestic arrivals.
A one-way taxi ride from Dulles to D.C. Capitol Hill hotels is approximately $83.00. A number of ride sharing apps like Uber and Lyft also operate in the Washington, D.C. region. You can check this for reviews. Dulles Airport Taxi Page
If you arrive at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) , most likely from a domestic flight such as from New York (JFK) or Newark, New Jersey (EWR), the options include:
Approximately $15.00 one-way to D.C. Capitol Hill hotels. Look for SuperShuttle ticket counter on the lower level.
A one-way taxi ride from National Airport to D.C. Capitol Hill hotels is between $25.00 and $30.00. A number of ride sharing apps like Uber and Lyft also operate in the Washington, D.C. region. You can check this for reviews. Reagan National Airport Taxi Website
Reagan National Airport has its own metro station, and you can take metro from there to Capitol Hill for around $4, depending on the time of day. You may want to purchase a SmartTrip card to avoid a surcharge, and then add some value to it for future trips, or you may want to consider buying a pass like the 7-Day Metro Short Trip pass for $36. DC Metro Website
Departing D.C. for Columbus, Ohio
Late afternoon/early evening flights are available on Friday, August 12. Some options are provided below. To check flight possibilities go to www.Expedia.com , www.kayak.com , www.aa.com , www.united.com , www.southwest.com or check with your travel agent. Note that departure times and a higher summer fare will go into effect for flight reservations made after May 31.
One-Way Flights on Friday, August 12
One-way direct flights from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) are available starting at $140 with United Airlines.
One-way direct flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) are available starting at $110 with American Airlines.
ONE-WAY FLIGHTS ON Saturday, AUGUST 13
The one-way non-stop flight options on Saturday, August 13 from Dulles are available starting at $110 for a flight with United Airlines.
For one-way flights on Saturday, August 13, direct flights are available starting at $100 for a non-stop flight with American Airlines.
Round Trip Flights
Round trip flights (direct or with one stop) from both airports are in the price range of $200-$270.
NOTE: If you fly from your country into Washington Dulles or Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport on a round trip ticket for travel back to your country, you will need to purchase a round trip ticket from one of the Washington, D.C airports to Columbus, Ohio and allow sufficient travel time for your return in order to make your international flight back home.
If you purchase a one-way ticket from Washington to Columbus, then you will have to check the options for return travel to your home country from Columbus, Ohio (CMH). These flights generally go through Chicago (ORD), Detroit (DTW), Newark, New Jersey (EWR), or New York (JFK).
Traveling by Car
By car, Columbus, Ohio is approximately a 7 hour drive from the D.C. area or 425 miles (650 kms). Rental car charges are per day ($100+ per day) and usually for unlimited mileage. Auto insurance is required as is an International Driving Permit issued in your home country. For further information see https://www.usa.gov/visitors-driving. Unless you are driving one-way and turn the car in when you arrive in Columbus, you will also incur daily hotel parking fees. Recommended travel route from D.C is I-270 north to I-70 West then I-68 (National Highway). I-68 runs into I-79 at Morgantown, West Virginia. Take I-79 north to I-70 west, approximately 50 miles. I-70 goes directly to downtown Columbus, OH, 170 miles to the west.
Traveling by Bus or Train
There is no commercial train service between Columbus and Washington , D.C.
Greyhound Bus Lines runs between Washington and Columbus; however, the trip lasts over 10 hours and may not be cheaper than an airplane flight.
It may be possible to take an AMTRAK train to a midpoint city such as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and then a Greyhound Bus to Columbus.