$91 Cheap Flights from Philadelphia (PHL) to Washington (DCA)

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Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

Cheap Flights from Philadelphia to Washington (PHL-DCA)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $91 for one-way flights and $179 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines
Southwest Airlines
American Airlines
JetBlue Airways
United
Delta
Flights from Philadelphia (PHL) to Washington (DCA)
Origin airport
Philadelphia Intl.
Destination airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$179
Distance
119 mi

Philadelphia to Washington Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Philadelphia to Washington

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Philadelphia to Washington are during the month of May. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Philadelphia to Washington with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

The best time to book a flight from Philadelphia to Washington

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Philadelphia to Washington: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Philadelphia to Washington

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Philadelphia to Washington in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $91 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Philadelphia to Washington flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Philadelphia to Washington airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

*Terms apply.

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to fly from Philadelphia Intl. Airport (PHL) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
A direct flight with American Airlines takes around 1 hour. Hop on the 10:35AM flight from PHL and touch down at DCA at 11:35AM. Snag a great deal on this and other routes when you book your ticket with Expedia.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from PHL to DCA last minute?
When it comes to booking your flights, being prepared pays off. While it’s possible to pick up a last-minute deal on a Philadelphia Airport to DCA flight, fares usually don’t get cheaper as the departure date nears. Based on flight pricing and demand studies in 2022, we have found that the sweet spot to lock in a domestic flight is between 28 – 35 days in advance. For international journeys it’s three to four months.
What airline has the least delays from Philadelphia Airport to National Airport?
With an on-time arrival rate of 50%, American Airlines is the airline that’s most likely to fly you from PHL to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) without any hiccups. Flight delays aren’t just an annoyance — they can also lead you to missing a connection that could ruin your entire vacation. Keep updated about any delays by looking up your flight status through the Expedia App before heading to the airport. If you’re already there and your plans will be heavily impacted, head to the customer service desk to see what your options are.
What airports do you fly into for Washington from Philadelphia?
With Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) and Baltimore Washington Intl. Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to select from, getting from Philadelphia to Washington is easy. The city’s main gateway, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), is about 4 mi south of the center. Apart from the price of tickets, consider factors like the ease of getting from the airport and the distance to your hotel when deciding where to touch down. Get your Washington adventure off to a terrific start by exploring White House and United States Capitol.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from PHL to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
Between 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM is when you’ll find many American Airlines flights jetting from Philadelphia Airport to DCA. Our top tip? Fly out sometime in the morning. With air traffic yet to build up, your odds of jumping on a delay-free flight are higher.
Can I change the date of my flight from PHL to DCA?
Quickly make changes to your PHL to National Airport ticket via the Expedia Trips portal. But before amending dates or times, read the rules in your itinerary to learn what the airline will let you do and what charges may apply. Some carriers charge a change fee per person, on top of any difference in prices. However, if you booked in the last 24 hours, you may be able to cancel for free and arrange new flights. You can also visit our Customer Service portal for more useful advice and to chat with our Virtual Agent.

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