Everything You Need To Know About USA Travel to the Capital Region

Before you buy your tickets, take a look through our Capital Region USA travel guide and discover answers to basic questions regarding passports, visas and customs regulations. Whether arriving to Washington DC, Virginia or Maryland from abroad or another American destination, we’ll help you prepare for an exciting Washington, DC and Capital Region USA travel adventure.

Airports

Two major international airports serve the Capital Region: Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), 26 miles west of downtown Washington, DC in northern Virginia, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) in Maryland, located 29 miles northeast of Washington and 10 miles south of Baltimore. The MARC Train travels between BWI and downtown Washington’s Union Station Monday through Friday.

Individuals arriving in the Washington area from other USA travel destinations may also use Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), conveniently located just across the Potomac River from downtown Washington in northern Virginia. Ronald Reagan is accessible by Metrorail, the greater Washington region’s rapid-transit system.

Many smaller airports with good flight connections serve other cities in the region, including Richmond, Williamsburg, Norfolk, Roanoke, Lynchburg and Charlottesville.

Passport & Visa Information

If you are a citizen of one of the countries participating in the United States’ Visa Waiver Program (VWP), a machine readable passport is generally all that is required to enter the country if staying for 90 days or less. Please note that your passport must be valid for six months past your expected stay in the United States.

A valid ESTA approval is required of all travelers to the United States from countries participating in the VWP. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a free, automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the VWP. It collects the same information as the paper I-94W form that VWP travelers fill out en route to the United States. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel. An ESTA authorization generally will be valid for up to two years. Authorizations will be valid for multiple entries into the United States. The United States Department of Homeland Security recommends that travelers submit an ESTA application as soon as they begin making travel plans.

If you are not a citizen of a participating VWP country, you must apply for a visa at the US Embassy in your home country. The application process generally includes an interview at the embassy, to which you must bring a valid passport, photograph, supporting documentation, receipt showing you paid the application fee, as well as a visa application form. Details about obtaining a visa and visa application forms can be found here.

Still have questions about the admission process for entering the United States? Find out everything you need to know from the Department of Homeland Security’s USA travel guide.

What should I pack in my carry-on luggage? 

What items am I prohibited from taking onboard my flight? 

What can I expect if travelling with children? 

What can I expect upon arrival in the United States? 

Looking for Washington, DC transportation services? Learn how easy it is to get around in the Capital Region.

Your Go-To Guide For Washington, DC USA Travel

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