$101 Cheap Flights from Washington (DCA) to Albany (ALB)

Washington (DCA) to Albany (ALB) at a glance

Travel from Washington (DCA) to Albany (ALB) with a selection of airlines offering this convenient domestic route. Evaluate choices from both full-service and low-cost carriers to discover the best itinerary for your budget and schedule. As you prepare to explore Albany's iconic attractions and neighborhoods, be sure to check essential details for flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Albany International Airport (ALB).

• Fastest flight duration: around 1h 30m non-stop
• Route distance: roughly 300 miles (485 km)
• Flights per week: around 13 departures on average
• Typical fares (one-way): economy tickets often range from $90–$350, depending on seasonality and how far ahead you book

Flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Albany International Airport (ALB)

According to recent traveler bookings, here are the top airlines favored for flights from Washington to Albany, featuring both non-stop and one-stop options. Many travelers opt for layovers at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) with a roughly 1-hour stop, Midway International Airport (MDW) also around 1 hour, and O'Hare International Airport (ORD) which has a layover of about 2 hours and 15 minutes. This allows you to mix and match factors like price, total travel time, and cabin class to discover the best itinerary.

• American Airlines: As a comprehensive full-service carrier, American Airlines provides both non-stop and one-stop options. One-way fare prices usually fall between $90 and $370, and it represents about 91% of the departures on this route, with a typical non-stop flight taking around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Delta: Delta operates as a full-service airline offering one-stop services, with one-way fares generally ranging from $90 to $335. It accounts for about 4% of the route's departures, featuring an in-flight duration of 3 hours and 30 minutes, and a total travel time of approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes, including the layover.
• Southwest Airlines: Known as a budget-friendly carrier, Southwest Airlines provides one-stop service with one-way fares typically between $120 and $375. It makes up around 3% of departures on this route, with a flight time of 3 hours and 30 minutes, leading to a total journey time of about 4 hours and 45 minutes, factoring in the layover.
• United: United Airlines is a full-service operator offering one-stop flights, with one-way fares that generally range from $140 to $540. It constitutes about 1% of the departures on this route, featuring an in-flight duration of 3 hours and 30 minutes, with an overall travel time of roughly 4 hours and 45 minutes, including layover time.

Travelers flying from Washington to Albany can opt to upgrade to first-class service offered by American Airlines on this route.

Alternative route from Washington (DCA) to Albany (ALB)

• Washington to Albany (IAD-ALB): Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is located approximately 23 miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). One-way economy ticket prices for this journey generally fall between $100 and $400, influenced by the time of year and how far in advance tickets are booked. Travelers can choose from both non-stop and one-stop flight options. Major airlines that operate on this route include United and Delta. Additionally, first-class service is offered on this route.

How to find the best prices for flights from Washington (DCA) to Albany (ALB)

Getting some of the best deals on flights from Washington to Albany is all about timing and flexibility. Here are some key tips to help you save:

1. Best times to book and fly: cheaper fares are usually available when booking at least two months in advance, although most travelers tend to book 2 to 8 weeks ahead. Morning departures from 5 AM to 12 PM often offer lower prices, while afternoon flights from 12 PM to 6 PM are the most popular. Additionally, flying on Monday generally provides cheaper fares, while Friday remains the busiest travel day.
2. Set up price alerts: stay updated on price changes by using Expedia's Price Tracker. Receive alerts when fares drop for your selected route.
3. Bundle and save: bundle your flight and hotel to save on Expedia, or unlock a hotel deal after booking your flight.* Find Albany hotel and flight deals.
4. Compare flight options: use Expedia's search tool to compare airlines, routes, direct vs. non-direct flights, and flight times. You can also sort by price to find the most affordable options.
5. Stay flexible with dates: being open to different travel days can sometimes help you find better prices on flights and hotels.
6. Think about luggage: nowadays, it's important to check the airline's baggage policies to find the best value. That may be paying for an additional carry-on bag or booking a ticket with checked luggage included. Either way, double-check your allowance before confirming your booking to avoid excess baggage fees at the airport.

*Members only. Savings vary and are not available on all bundles. Select hotels.

Arriving at Albany International Airport from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Albany welcomes travelers from Washington with a range of transport options based on price, convenience, and proximity. For departures, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is roughly a 10-minute drive (covering about 5 miles) from central Washington. Albany city center is approximately a 15-minute drive (covering about 9 miles) from Albany International Airport, depending on traffic. Here's how to reach Albany efficiently:

• Hotel transfer: Transfers offer a convenient way to reach your hotel in Albany, with options including free hotel shuttles and private rides, which can be arranged in advance with your hotel.
• Car rental: Renting a car from Albany International Airport is a great option if you plan to explore and sightsee beyond the city. Browse cheap car rentals at Albany International Airport on Expedia.
• Taxi/ride-hailing: Taxis and ride-hailing services may be available from designated pickup areas outside the terminal, check locally on arrival.
• Public transportation: From Albany International Airport, Albany International Airport Station, a train station, is just a short 0.1 miles away on foot, while Albany Seaport, a seaport, is located about 9.2 miles from the airport and is typically reached by car.

Washington to Albany Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Washington to Albany

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 Washington to Albany are during the month of October. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Washington to Albany with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

The best time to book a flight from Washington to Albany

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Washington to Albany: 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 Washington to Albany

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 Washington to Albany in 2026. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $101 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 Washington to Albany 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 Washington to Albany 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.