which NYC/DC airports do you fly into?

[lyrical di]

Okay, this is ridiculous but how do you know which airport in a big city to fly into. Name alone doesn't tell me anything. I try to book tickets and I have no clue. Arrghhh!
Example:
NYC LaGuardia or JFK (I'm staying in Manhatten)
Washington: Reagen or Baltimore (I've meetings on the hill)

Sometimes the closest is not the best due to travel time, extra fees, and that cheaper airlines only fly into specific terminals.
Thanks!

[terrya]

1. I flew into La Guardia a few years ago.

Wasn't impressed, frankly. Sat for an hour after landing waiting to connect to the gate. And...the terminal was kind of dirty. Plus, I was sort of surprised that there's no mass transit to the airport.

[bettyellen]

5. there is mass transit, but it's awful. a local bus that will take you to a

subway. i almost was forced to try it late one very rainy night and then a cab showed up.
from 8am-11pm they do have good direct buses to NYC. but before or after that, you're shit out of luck.

[terrya]

7. I took a shuttle bus that went to the Port Authority.

It was ok...the Howard Johnsons I was staying at in Manhattan wasn't all that far. But I live in Chicago, where there's mass transit train lines to both airports here. I was a bit surprised that there didn't seem to be any in New York.

[bettyellen]

9. yeah, the train to kennedy is supposed to better now.

but part of it still puts you on a subway. which i would never do w/ luggage.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

2. I usually take the train to NYC but LGA (LaGuardia) is closer to Manhattan

So is Newark (EWR) because there's a train you can take that brings you into Penn Sation.

I usually fly into National (DCA) to get into DC, because Dulles (IAD) is in the middle of nowhere and you'd have to fight traffic to DC if you fly into Baltimore (BWI).

[sbj405]

3. For DC, go to DCA (aka National Reagan)

It's across the river in VA, but right on the Metro line. You can be on the hill in no time.

[bettyellen]

4. newark airport is usually faster than JFK to get to manhattan.....

and it has a better ontime record for flights. cabs are about 10$ more since it's in jersey, but there's good cheap public transportation to nyc from there. newark's code is ewr.
laguardia is faster than JFK too, but if you have to be there for an early or very late flight the bus service doesn't run, and you will have to take a cab. they don't have as much parking as the other airports either.
jfk is huge, crowded, slow, and a big hike from manhattan. but the new train service is supposed to be pretty good, and probably has the most options to get you into the city at any hour of the day. it just takes longer than newark or laguardia.
that said, i hope you enjoy your trip.

[redsoxliberal]

6. Dulles is regional, Regan is national... BWI is best

JFK is national... I think LGA may be as well... but JFK certainly is what you're going to fly into coming from LHR or CDG.

[yvr girl]

11. I've flown into JFK and LGA (both coming from Canada)

They were both fine. I took a cab in from LGA - business trip, company was paying. I took the subway from JFK, and it was pretty painless (except I pack the heaviest suitcases known to mankind.)

I book my flights according to the best fairs and times. 10 minutes either way for a trip in from the airport doesn't really factor in.

I flew into Dulles when I went to DC, but I was staying in McLean.

[catbert836]

8. I usually do

If you're not flying internationally, the best one for NYC is La Guardia
I almost always fly into BWI when I go to DC, because it's not named after you-know-who.

[Ready4Change]

10. Reagan is closest. I like Baltimores organization better.

Reagans (DCA) layout is a bit chaotic, so it can be harder to figure out where you should go, and sometimes you find you have to go "way over there" via a shuttlebus or something. More of a problem when departing than arriving. It does have mass transit via the subway system into DC as a plus.

Baltimore (BWI) is a more recently built airport, and is laid out more effectively. But it's further away from the center of DC, which will add time to your trip into the city. Flights for BWI are generally less expensive, and I think it has greater capacity (more flights.)

[Bertha Venation]

12. If you don't have to pay, fly into National if you can.

It's just across the river from DC. BWI & Dulles are each at least an hour away -- with no traffic.

[DancingBear]

13. Yep, much as I hate Reagan/National, that's the one

Dulles is much better for short hop stuff, but to get from Dulles to DC via car stinks (the window without being stuck in traffic forever is 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.), and then of course there is DC parking...

Metro runs right from Reagan/National to all points in D.C.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

14. JFK + BWI

I found that BWI often has better fares than National (Reagan) and even though it is a little bit of a drive into the city, it is worth it.

[redsoxliberal]

16. agree completely.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

15. I'd fly into Newark for Manhatten

Flights are usually a bit cheaper...I HATE landing at La Guardia and JFK takes too long to get to Manhatten...Newark is only about a half hour away and easy to get in and out of.