$69 Cheap Flights from Raleigh (RDU) to Washington (DCA)

Popular airlines from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

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Cheap Flights from Raleigh to Washington (RDU-DCA)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $69 for one-way flights and $137 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Delta
Delta
Delta
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
American Airlines
Delta
American Airlines
United
JetBlue Airways

Find the cheapest month to fly from Raleigh (RDU) to Washington (DCA)

April is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $97 - $153 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Alternative airports near Washington

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Flights from Raleigh (RDU) to Washington (DCA)
Origin airport
Raleigh - Durham Intl.
Destination airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$137
Distance
226 mi

Raleigh to Washington Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Raleigh to Washington

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Raleigh to Washington are during the month of September. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Raleigh to Washington with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Raleigh to Washington

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Raleigh to Washington: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Raleigh to Washington

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Raleigh to Washington in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $69 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Raleigh to Washington flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Raleigh to Washington airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) cost?
You can score cheap return tickets from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) starting at $119. Grab a seat and set off on your next adventure. This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a American Airlines and Spirit Airlines flight leaving RDU on August 1 2025 and touching down at DCA. The price was last updated on July 5 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from RDU to DCA?
The cheapest flights from RDU to DCA are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
You can travel nonstop from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on an American Airlines flight.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from RDU to DCA?
Jet off from RDU to DCA with American Airlines. This carrier currently offers the lowest one-way fare on this route, starting from $69. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from RDU on September 29 2025. Prices were last updated on July 5 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
Every day on average, 8 nonstop flights operate from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Choose the departure time that best fits your itinerary.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
More passengers fly between RDU and DCA at 6 AM than at any other point in the day. Rather skip the crowds? Try choosing a quieter departure window and you could save on your fare as well.
What day of the week has the most flights from RDU to DCA?
If you fly on a Thursday, you'll get the largest range of options for flights from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
What is the earliest flight from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
Hop on the earliest flight at around 5:55AM UTC-5, leaving from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU). You'll be traveling for about 1h 21m, touching down at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) at approximately 7:16AM UTC-5.
How long does it take to fly from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
It takes roughly 1 hour and 16 minutes to fly the 230 mi from RDU to DCA.
What is the best time to fly from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
To avoid possible delays on the Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) route, travel before 3 PM. Later departures have a 22% higher chance of cancellation.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for Washington from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU)?
Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) has direct flights to Washington. Here are some of the airports you can fly to without stops:

  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
  • Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD)
  • Baltimore Washington Intl. Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) last-minute?
Booking your ticket from RDU to DCA just before your journey is generally more expensive. However, if there's some wiggle room with your departure times and dates, you could score a cheap last-minute fare.
Is it cheaper to book a RDU to DCA flight and hotel package?
Opting for a RDU to DCA flight and hotel package tends to be cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the ease of organizing your trip in one place. Choose from our impressive range of accommodations and then add flights, activities and car rentals to your booking. Bundle everything together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
Usually, it's possible to cancel or reschedule your RDU to DCA flight. However, if the booking was made more than 24 hours ago, additional charges may apply. Refer to your airline's policies in your itinerary to see what changes are possible and whether any costs are involved. You'll also find further details on our Customer Service portal.

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