Flying from Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE): What you need to know
Start your travels at one of Washington DC's main airports, Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Check out your options for booking a flight from Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) taking off from either of these.
1 hour 40 minutes is the average travel time for a direct Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport flight.
Washington DC and Columbia (where Columbia Metropolitan Airport is located) share the UTC-4 timezone. That means you won't need to change your watch when you land.
The busiest route is from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), with 21 direct weekly services. If you're not one for hanging around, the earliest flight from DCA to CAE is the 8:10am American Airlines option. If you need some extra time before takeoff, the final departure is at 10:36pm with American Airlines.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your flight from Washington DC to CAE.
With more travellers during high season, it's a good idea to get to your terminal earlier than usual. Two hours for domestic flights and up to four for international journeys will help you stay ahead of the crowds.
Airports in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is a convenient option for travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) take off from this terminal.
When departing from DCA, you can catch a direct flight from Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport with American Airlines.
The majority of travellers prefer to book seats with American Airlines from DCA to CAE.
With 68.75% of services landing as planned, American Airlines is the highest-rated carrier for punctuality on this route.
DCA is around 8 kilometres from central Washington DC. If you're ride-sharing, driving or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be around 45 minutes.
Looking for a comfortable hotel close to Ronald Reagan National Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport, these stays will have you sleeping moments from check-in:
Of the flights that depart from Ronald Reagan National Airport, 76.44% land on time at their destination.
The address for DCA is 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Thinking of flying out of Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)? Direct Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) plane tickets are available from this popular hub.
United Airlines offers direct flights from Washington DC to CAE out of IAD. Book your favourite aisle (or window) seat and get to your destination in one go.
United Airlines is the go-to airline for bookings on the IAD to CAE route.
United Airlines is the most punctual carrier flying from Washington Dulles International Airport to Columbia Metropolitan Airport, with 73.76% of its services arriving as planned.
IAD is about 56 kilometres from central Washington DC. It'll take you 50 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes approximately 1 hour 10 minutes.
Got an early start? You might like to check in to one of these accommodation options near Washington Dulles International Airport the day before your Washington DC to CAE flight:
When it comes to keeping flights punctual, Washington Dulles International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 74.39%.
You'll find IAD at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
From the centre of Washington DC, BWI is around 48 kilometres away. It'll take you roughly 50 minutes to arrive by car and 1 hour 30 minutes or so if you're on public transport.
Stay in bed a little longer and still make your Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport flight with plenty of time to spare. These hotels near Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport make it a breeze to get to the terminal if you're flying out early:
Flights that take off from BWI touch down at their destination within the scheduled time frame 77.13% of the time.
About Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
Consider staying in a hotel close to CAE if you have a late flight from Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Check in to one of these options and get some sleep sooner:
Pick up a Columbia Metropolitan Airport rental car and explore Columbia and beyond with your own set of wheels. Alamo, Budget and Enterprise are leading providers you can book with here.
Lock in the best rate by reserving your ride around one week ahead of your Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport flight.
CAE is located at 125-A Summer Lake.
Getting from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to central Columbia
Columbia Metropolitan Airport to the centre of Columbia is roughly 10 kilometres. If you're renting a car or getting a cab, do a little research to make your trip as easy as possible. Journey times can vary depending on traffic and the time of day.
Travelling by public transport will take you roughly 30 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
Currently, 153 € is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is 163 €. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To snag cheap flights from Washington DC to CAE, book your plane ticket one month ahead of your planned departure.
The best month for landing cheap Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport tickets is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates that offer the biggest savings.
Locking in a cheap plane ticket from Washington DC to CAE is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as a lower fare pops up.
Find the best deal on a flight from Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
The best time to fly from Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
August is when most people book flights from Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). Visit Columbia in February for a more low-key escape.
The warmest month in Columbia is July, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC (70ºF) and 35ºC (95ºF). Lock in your Washington DC to CAE plane ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
Look for cheap tickets from Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 0ºC (32ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF).
More about Columbia
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Columbia right here. Explore these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from Washington DC to Columbia Metropolitan Airport:
There are so many things to do and see in this city, it can be tricky to know where to begin. African American History Monument, Martin Luther King Jr. Park and 701 Centre for Contmporary Art are highlights which should feature on any good Columbia itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
Columbia is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other parts of the United States just waiting to be explored. About 145 kilometres north of Columbia, a trip to Charlotte will keep you on the move. Start with leading sights like Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Discovery Place and NASCAR Hall of Fame.
If you're looking to explore another well-known destination in the United States, consider Raleigh, about 306 kilometres north-east of Columbia. North Carolina Museum of Art, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and Dorothea Dix Park are highlights.
