Flying from Toronto to Washington DC: what you need to know
You can choose from a range of airports when organising your flight from Toronto to Washington DC. Explore your options for jetting out of Toronto from Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) and Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF).
Washington DC has a good selection of airports you can jet into. Disembark at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Book a direct Toronto to Washington DC flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 1 hour 35 minutes.
Toronto and Washington DC are in the same timezone, UTC-4.
With 43 flights a week between the two airports, Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is the most popular route. Hop on the first flight from Toronto to Washington DC with United Airlines at 06:00. If you'd like to get more out of your day before taking off, the latest flight from YYZ to IAD is with United Airlines at 19:43.
Leave enough time to make your Toronto to Washington DC flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience longer queues in popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Toronto to Washington DC
Get cheap Toronto to Washington DC flights by booking two months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
May is the best month for nabbing a fantastic deal on a plane ticket from Toronto to Washington DC. If you're looking to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from Toronto to Washington DC by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification through the app when fares go down.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' Toronto to Washington DC flights.
Flying from Toronto
Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Start your trip at Pearson International Airport (YYZ), which offers multiple direct flights from Toronto to Washington DC. From YYZ, you can fly without any stops to Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Choose from a variety of carriers offering direct Toronto to Washington DC plane tickets with departures from YYZ, including:
Located around 19 kilometres from the centre of Toronto, YYZ can be reached in about 25 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 50 minutes.
Want a leisurely start to your holiday? Stay near Pearson International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Toronto to Washington DC or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are ideal:
63.97% of flights departing from Pearson International Airport make it to their destination on time.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
You can book a direct flight from Toronto to Washington DC departing Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ). Nonstop connections from YTZ will get you to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Porter Airlines offers direct Toronto to Washington DC plane tickets from YTZ. Book your preferred aisle (or window) seat and reach your destination without any detours.
Using public transport, you can travel from central Toronto to YTZ in around 40 minutes. The airport is roughly 3 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 35 minutes.
Kick off your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before your flight from Toronto to Washington DC, kick back in one of these hotels close to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport:
When it comes to flights staying on schedule, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 62.09%.
Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF)
YKF is roughly 80 kilometres from central Toronto. Driving from the city centre to the airport takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. If you're planning to use public transport, expect a journey time of around 4 hours 5 minutes.
Skip the morning rush on departure day — stay near Region of Waterloo International Airport and know you'll reach your gate with time to spare. Get settled at one of these hotels the day before if you have an early Toronto to Washington DC flight:
The on-time performance rating of YKF is 63.64%. To put it simply, that's how frequently flights that depart this airport reach their final stop as planned.
Arriving in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is approximately 6 kilometres from the centre of Washington DC. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take around 15 minutes.
Getting to the centre by public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
Reserve a hotel near DCA if you have a late flight from Toronto to Washington DC. Check in to one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Ronald Reagan National Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Thrifty, Sixt or Dollar and explore beyond Washington DC's main sights.
Booking your ride from Ronald Reagan National Airport around four weeks in advance boosts your odds of scoring a great price.
You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is around 40 kilometres from the centre of Washington DC. Following your flight from Toronto to Washington DC, it'll take you approximately 50 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
Public transport will get you there in approximately 1 hour 10 minutes.
After your flight from Toronto to Washington DC, kick back at a hotel near IAD. These are some great options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Washington Dulles International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Sixt and set off in the blink of an eye.
Get exactly what you want. Securing your ride from IAD one week ahead of time often means lower prices and a greater selection of vehicles.
The address for Washington Dulles International Airport is 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is around 40 kilometres from the centre of Washington DC. It takes about 50 minutes to get to the city centre in a car after your flight from Toronto to Washington DC.
The journey takes around 1 hour 30 minutes when travelling by public transport.
Reserve a hotel near BWI and get from baggage claim to bedtime in a flash. Whether you're arriving on a late Toronto to Washington DC flight or just want an easier arrival, these accommodation options offer a quick route to a good night's sleep:
Whether you're after a zippy mini for solo travel or a spacious SUV to fit the family, you'll find the perfect Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport rental car for your needs. Browse the types of wheels available here from companies such as Dollar, Thrifty and Budget.
If you're searching for a specific make or model, book your ride from BWI around two weeks before your flight from Toronto to Washington DC. This gives you a better chance of getting the car you want, along with a better price.
Best time to go to Washington DC
It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from Toronto to Washington DC. February is the most popular month for a trip to Washington DC. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, go in May.
When booking your Toronto to Washington DC tickets, consider the kind of weather you prefer. July is the warmest month in Washington DC, with temperatures ranging from 19ºC (66ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Toronto to Washington DC in January when temperatures average between -6ºC (21ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF).
More about Washington DC
Start your Washington DC trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Toronto to Washington DC, check out our selection of hotels including:
White House Historical Association and The White House are just two of the major attractions to add to your Washington DC must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at National Mall.
Explore more of United States
New York is just one of the many places in United States waiting to be discovered once you've seen Washington DC. Around 322 kilometres to the north-east, top sights here include Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Empire State Building.
Philadelphia is another standout destination in United States and is around 193 kilometres north-east of Washington DC. No journey is complete without dropping by Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Philadelphia Museum of Art.