Flight to Washington (WAS)

Flying to Washington: tips and information for your trip

Washington D.C. is a vibrant and beautiful city with a remarkable history, amazing culture and an incredibly diverse food scene. You’ll understand why Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States as soon as you arrive. From visiting iconic monuments, museums and the White House to seeing the Supreme Court in action, you really can do everything you ever dreamed of in Washington D.C..

What are you waiting for? Book your flight to Washington D.C. now!

Things to do

1. The White House should be the first place on your list when visiting Washington D.C.. Completed in 1800 after 8 years of work, the residence and workplace of the President of the United States is one of the most iconic symbols of the free world. The building is bigger than you might think: it has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms and 6 floors.
   
   
2. The National Gallery of Art is home to some of the world’s most incredible artwork and includes masterpieces from artists from all over the world, from the Middle Ages to the modern day. The museum’s highlights include paintings by Da Vinci, Monet and Van Gogh. The building itself is also a masterpiece: it’s definitely worth the visit.
   
   
3. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial honours those who served their country in the Vietnam War; architect Maya Lin came up with its beautiful design which takes the form of a “V”. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial lists the names of more than 58,000 Americans who lost their life in the war.
   
   
4. The U.S. Capitol, often called the Capitol Building, is one of the most architecturally impressive buildings in the United States. Located on the National Mall, it’s home to the U.S. Congress, the nation’s law-making body, and offers visitors the chance to watch politics in action.
5. The Lincoln Memorial is an unmissable attraction. Go and stand on the steps where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his world-famous “I have a dream” speech and don’t forget to visit the museum where you can find out plenty of interesting facts about Abraham Lincoln’s life.
   
   
6. The National Air and Space Museum is a truly unique museum. It houses the the world’s largest collection of aircraft and spacecraft: you won’t be disappointed!
   
   
7. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is even bigger than the National Air and Space Museum on the Mall. The museum consists of two hangars which are home to the famous Space Shuttle Discovery, a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and a Concorde airliner.
   
   
8. Washington D.C. is also home to the world’s sixth largest cathedral which is regarded as a national house of prayer for all Americans. The Washington National Cathedral is known for its magnificent size and astonishing architecture. Why not take the opportunity to find out more about this beautiful cathedral by taking a tour?
   
   
9. Rock Creek Park is Washington D.C.’s biggest park; there’s plenty to do there! Enjoy a picnic with an amazing view, visit the Smithsonian National Zoo or walk in the footsteps of honest Abe: Rock Creek Park really does have it all. Make a point of stopping by to take advantage of everything it has to offer.
   
   
10. The Newseum is one of the most popular museums in Washington D.C.. It’s all about free expression and focuses on the five freedoms of the First Amendment: freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the right to peacably assemble and the right to petition. The museum is spread over seven floors: it’s a good idea to start at the top and work your way down.
    
    
11. The Eastern Market is D.C.’s first and best food and market. Located in the centre of the historic Capitol Hill neighbourhood, it’s a must-visit for any foodies or fans of arts and crafts.
    
    
12. Arlington National Cemetery is one of the country’s 139 national cemeteries and is the only national cemetery which serves as the final resting place for soldiers from every war in the United States’ history. Visit the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and marvel at the magnificent view of the city. Although most presidents are buried in their home state, President John F. Kennedy is buried here, along with his family.

Practical information for your trip

• Washington Brussels Airlines flights arrive and depart from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Loudoun and Fairfax counties in Virginia. There are several ways to reach Washington D.C. from IAD airport:
  • By bus: 50 minutes
  • By metro: between 60-90 minutes
  • By taxi: 1 hour (dependent on traffic)
  • By Uber: 1 hour (dependent on traffic)
    
    
• Currency: the official currency of the United States is the U.S. or American dollar ($, USD, US$). You won’t have any trouble finding banks and cash machines in Washington D.C. and credit cards are accepted everywhere. You can also withdraw dollars directly from cash points. If you want to exchange your local currency for dollars, go to a bank or any bureau de change.
  
  
• Telephone calls and Wi-Fi: the dialling code for Washington D.C. is +1 202. You won’t have any trouble finding free Wi-Fi hotspots in restaurants, bars, cafés, metro stations and public parks.
  
  
• Electric sockets: the power sockets in the U.S. are type A and B (flat pins), also known as the standard US plug. The standard voltage is 120V and the standard frequency is 60Hz. European and British travellers should pack an adapter with a voltage converter and must be extra careful when using their electrical items in the U.S. due to the frequency difference.
  
  
• Travel information: if you’re a citizen of a country which is part of the Visa Waiver Programme, you can travel to the U.S. without a visa, as long as you hold a valid ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). In addition, you also need a valid e-Passport (identified by the “chip” symbol on its front cover). This also applies to travellers who plan to transit through the U.S. or intend to stopover in the U.S. on the way to their destination. Please note that if you transit through or stopover in Canada on the way to the U.S. (or vice versa), you’ll need both an ETA and an ESTA.
  
  
• Vaccinations: there are no mandatory vaccinations for European travellers visiting Washington D.C. It’s important to be aware that the healthcare system in the U.S. is very different to other healthcare systems. We recommend finding out whether you need health insurance before travelling to the United States.

Travel tips

• Avoid driving and use public transport instead: Washington D.C.’s public transport is one of the cleanest and most efficient transport systems in the United States and will take you to almost every attraction, hotel and neighbourhood.
  
  
• Download the app for Washington D.C.’s metro to save time.
  
  
• Buy a WSmarTrip card at the machines in any of the city’s stations.
  
  
• Try to avoid peak travel times before 9.30am and between 3 and 7pm. Avoiding these peak times will help you to save money (because fares are more expensive at these times) and make your journey easier and more comfortable.
  
  
• The city’s metro service begins at 5am Monday to Friday, 7am on Saturdays and 8am on Sundays. The service ends at 11.30pm Monday to Thursday, 1am on Fridays and Saturdays and 11pm on Sundays.
  
  
• When taking the metro, always stand on the right when using escalators: this leaves the left side free for people in a hurry.
  
  
• Don’t try to see all of Washington D.C. in one day: it just isn’t possible. There are so many things to do and see so focus on the places you don’t want to miss.
  
  
• Visit the monuments and the Mall at night to enjoy the wonderful views without the crowds.
  
  
• Don’t miss the diverse international food scene in Washington D.C.! There are so many places to go, serving food from almost every country around the world.

When to visit Washington D.C.?

Washington D.C. is a great destination at any time of year. Avoid the crowds by visiting from September to November and from March to May! Summers are warm and winters tend to be cold in Washington D.C. – there can be snow, particularly in January and February.

What to eat in Washington D.C.?

Washington D.C. is a very international city which is home to immigrants, expats and diplomats from all over the world. These international influences are reflected in the city’s food culture: you can find any food you fancy. Whether you’re in the mood for Salvadoran, Ethiopian, Indian, Italian, Spanish or West African food, you’ll find it here!

• Half-smoke – The half-smoke is a local delicacy: don’t go home without trying one! Although it may look like a hotdog, it tastes much better: the half-smoke is a combination of coarsely ground pork and beef with a spicy kick. It’s traditionally served with chilli, mustard and onions.
  
  
• Kitfo – This traditional Ethiopian dish, made from minced raw beef marinated in a chilli powder-based spice blend (called mitmita), is a favourite with the city’s locals.
  
  
• Kimchi ramen – Kimchi ramen is a fusion of Japanese and Korean cuisine and consists of a bowl full of pulled pork, greens, eggs, pickled ginger and cabbage kimchi.
  
  
• Blue crabs – The blue crab is a signature dish in Washington D.C.. These steamed crabs are coated in delicious Old Bay seasoning to create a mouth-watering dish.
  
  
• Pupusas – Pupusas are tortilla-like pancakes made with corn flour and served with a variety of fillings including cheese, pork and beans.

Cultural events

• Chinese New Year: Washington D.C. hosts annual celebrations for the Chinese New Year. Each year is dedicated to a specific animal; the most well-known are the dragon, the monkey, the dog and the tiger. The city’s celebrations last for two weeks so you’ll definitely have time to celebrate with Washington D.C.’s Chinese community!
  
  
• The Francophonie Cultural Festival: this festival‘s four-week programme includes concerts, films, theatrical performances and much more. It’s the largest Francophone festival in the world and the perfect way to learn more about French culture.
  
  
• The Smithsonian Folklife Festival: find out more about different cultures and celebrate global cultural traditions. The Folklife Festival includes performances of music and dance, craft and cooking demonstrations, storytelling and discussions of cultural issues.
  
  
• The National Cherry Blossom Festival: this amazing festival marks the arrival of spring. The city’s streets are filled with beautiful pale pink and white flowers and various events are held near Washington D.C.’s monuments and museums on the National Mall.
  
  
• The H Street Festival: the H Street Festival is one of the city’s most popular festivals with 150,000 participants every year, stretching for some 11 blocks! This huge street party is an opportunity to experience a wide range of musical genres, dance shows, performances by young people, fashion shows, poetry and much more. You won’t want to miss it!