$77 Cheap Flights from Raleigh (RDU) to Washington (DCA)

  • Plan, book, fly with confidence

  • trending down icon
    Be in the know
    Get alerts if flight prices drop or rise*
  • bex rewards loyalty icon
    Book smarter
    Save up to 30% on select hotels after you book a flight*
  • one key icon
    Earn twice
    Earn your airline miles on top of our OneKeyCash
Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

Cheap Flights from Raleigh to Washington (RDU-DCA)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $77 for one-way flights and $166 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

JetBlue Airways
American Airlines
Delta
JetBlue Airways
Delta
Delta
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue Airways
United
Southwest Airlines
Flights from Raleigh (RDU) to Washington (DCA)
Origin airport
Raleigh - Durham Intl.
Destination airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$166
Distance
226 mi

Raleigh to Washington Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Washington are during the month of May. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Raleigh to Washington with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

The best time to book a flight from Raleigh to Washington

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh to Washington in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $77 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 RDU to National Airport?
A direct flight with American Airlines takes about 1 hour and 4 minutes. Secure a seat on the 6:55AM flight from Raleigh–Durham Airport and touch down at DCA at 7:59AM. Snag an amazing deal on this and other routes when you book your fare with Expedia.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) last minute?
When it comes to booking your flights, it pays to be prepared. While you could pick up a deal on a Raleigh–Durham Airport to National Airport flight at the last minute, prices usually don’t get cheaper as the date of departure 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 between three and four months.
What airline has the least delays from Raleigh--Durham Airport to DCA?
With an on-time flight record of 100%, American Airlines is the carrier that’s most likely to fly you from RDU to National Airport reliably on schedule. Flight delays can be an excuse to linger longer at the airport bar. However, they can also cause you to miss a vital connection or even ruin your entire trip. You can keep updated about delays by looking up your flight status through the Expedia App before heading to the airport. If you’re already at the terminal and the delay is lengthy, head to your airline’s customer service desk to find out your next steps.
What airports do you fly into for Washington from Raleigh?
From Raleigh, you can journey to Washington via Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD) and Baltimore Washington Intl. Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Research which hub is best for you before making your decision. If you pick Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), it’s approximately 4 mi south of the center of the city. Use the cash you save when booking your airfare with Expedia to check out the city’s well-known attractions, such as White House and United States Capitol.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
Between 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM is the busiest time for American Airlines flights departing from RDU to DCA. Our recommendation? Leave early. 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 RDU to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
It’s a piece of cake to make amendments to your Raleigh–Durham Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) journey yourself. Access your details via the Expedia Trips portal and select “change flight.” Browse around for new flights and lock in the one that works best with your plans. You’ll get an estimate of flight change fees that may apply. You can also find your way to our Customer Service portal to chat to our Virtual Agent and quickly get answers to your questions.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

*Available to One Key members.