What percentage of Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. flights are direct?

In the trailing 90 days, approximately 20.4% of flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. have been direct. For flights that include stopovers, travelers typically experience a median of 2 connections. This indicates that while direct options are available, a significant portion of routes involve at least one stop.

How many hours is the flight from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.?

The median direct flight time from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. is 1 hour and 8 minutes, covering a distance of 216 kilometers. Flights with one stop, however, typically have a significantly longer median duration of 9 hours and 28 minutes. This substantial difference highlights the efficiency of direct routes for this short distance.

Is it cheaper to fly direct or with a layover from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.?

Historically, flying with a layover from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. has been slightly cheaper, with a median price of $298. Direct flights, which represent about 20.9% of the routes, have a median price of $308. This indicates a premium of approximately 3% for the convenience of a direct flight in the trailing 90 days. Travelers prioritizing cost savings might consider options with connections.

Flights From Philadelphia

To Washington, D.C.

Cheap Flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

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Prices updated 1 day ago

461 airlines compared

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Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Sep 14, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

2026-10-15 – 2026-10-19
PHL - Washington, D.C.
71% AI deal score
$235
$109
Round trip
2026-10-17 – 2026-10-20
PHL - Washington, D.C.
75% AI deal score
$235
$116
Round trip
2026-10-17 – 2026-10-21
PHL - Washington, D.C.
75% AI deal score
$235
$116
Round trip
2026-10-07 – 2026-10-14
PHL - Washington, D.C.
74% AI deal score
$223
$116
Round trip
2026-10-07 – 2026-10-20
PHL - Washington, D.C.
72% AI deal score
$196
$116
Round trip
2026-10-07 – 2026-10-21
PHL - Washington, D.C.
72% AI deal score
$196
$116
Round trip
2026-10-14 – 2026-10-21
PHL - Washington, D.C.
74% AI deal score
$223
$117
Round trip
2026-10-17 – 2026-11-03
PHL - Washington, D.C.
71% AI deal score
$190
$118
Round trip
2026-10-07 – 2026-11-03
PHL - Washington, D.C.
71% AI deal score
$187
$118
Round trip
2026-10-19 – 2026-10-22
PHL - Washington, D.C.
71% AI deal score
$269
$124
Round trip

Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.: Overview

Insights for flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

For travelers seeking cheap flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., the data indicates that April is typically the most affordable month to fly, with a median fare of $185. Other budget-friendly options include February, with a median fare of $234, and August, where the median fare is $279. Planning your trip around these months can lead to more economical travel.

Fares for this route typically range from $267 to $485, with a median of $318. Right now, fares are near the typical level, and about 14% of recent fares were classified as a good price. New deals appear almost daily, offering frequent opportunities to find competitive prices.

When considering how long is the flight from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., a typical journey, including connections, takes about 13h 21m. This duration reflects that most itineraries connect at least once, as only 20.4% of recent fares were for direct flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. For connecting itineraries, the median number of stopovers is 2.

The route from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. covers a distance of 192 kilometers, classifying it as a short-haul flight. This short distance means that while the journey time can be extended by connections, the actual flight segments are brief.

How much is a round trip from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Regular price: $187 - $456

Prices are currently below the regular range for flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

The regular price range for this route is between $187 and $456. The current lowest deal is $108 with Frontier Airlines for travel from Oct 15-Oct 19.

now $108

Low $187

High $456

The cheapest time to fly from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

The cheapest month to fly from Philadelphia to Washington is April, with a median price of $185. The most expensive month is January, with a median price of $837. Prices are generally lower from February to November.

April

Cheapest

Flights from $185

January

Most Expensive

Flights from $837

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

United Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Sat, Sep 19

⌛ Last-Minute

PHL - Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia (PHL) - Washington, D.C. (IAD)

$363

$349

One-way

Thu, Oct 1

⌛ Last-Minute

PHL - Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia (PHL) - Washington, D.C. (IAD)

Frontier Airlines

$281

$235

One-way

Thu, Oct 1

⌛ Last-Minute

PHL - Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia (PHL) - Washington, D.C. (DCA)

JetBlue Airways

$313

$268

One-way

Thu, Oct 1

⌛ Last-Minute

PHL - Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia (PHL) - Washington, D.C. (DCA)

$313

$291

One-way

Fri, Oct 2

⌛ Last-Minute

PHL - Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia (PHL) - Washington, D.C. (IAD)

$281

$291

One-way

Sat, Oct 3

⌛ Last-Minute

PHL - Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia (PHL) - Washington, D.C. (BWI)

Frontier Airlines

$240

$273

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

3 nights

Oct 19 - Oct 22

$269 → $124

54%

4 nights

Oct 15 - Oct 19

$236 → $108

54%

1 night

Oct 27 - Oct 28

$269 → $146

46%

1 night

Nov 3 - Nov 4

$247 → $126

49%

Popular Airports to fly from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia - Washington, D.C. route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares near the typical level

Recent fares from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. are near the typical level of $318.

📅 Best time to fly

April is the cheapest month to fly

Historically, April is the cheapest month to fly, with a median price of $185.

⏱️ Flight duration

Flights average 13h 21m

Flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. typically average 13 hours 21 minutes.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

Connecting flights are dominant, with a median of 2 stopovers on this route.

🏆 Airline highlight

Frontier Airlines has a deal for $108

Frontier Airlines has a recent deal for $108, departing October 15 and returning October 19.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals are frequent on this route

Deals on flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. are frequent, appearing every 30 days.

Philadelphia main airports to depart from

Philadelphia International (PHL)

Cheapest

Philadelphia International is a convenient option for flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

📍 ~11 km from city center

💸 Flights from ~$104

Washington, D.C. main airports to arrive at

Baltimore–Washington International (BWI)

Cheapest

Baltimore–Washington International is a good option for flights to Washington, D.C. from Philadelphia.

📍 ~44 km from Washington, D.C. (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$104

Airports nearby Washington, D.C. used as alternative

Philadelphia International (PHL)

Philadelphia International (PHL) is a major international hub with extensive networks, offering competitive fares despite the travel distance.

📍 ~200 km from Washington, D.C. (reachable by car or Amtrak)

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Washington, D.C.

Discover luxury on the budget with premium cabin class on flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C..

Elite

Best Elite deals to Washington, D.C.

Exclusive daily First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy flight deals, refreshed every 24 hours.

From PHL

Elite

Dec 01

Washington, D.C., United States

45% AI deal score

$2,684

$2,145

Save $539

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From PHL

Elite

Dec 02

Washington, D.C., United States

45% AI deal score

$2,519

$2,147

Save $372

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From PHL

Elite

Dec 02

Washington, D.C., United States

45% AI deal score

$2,695

$2,147

Save $548

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From PHL

Elite

Dec 01

Washington, D.C., United States

45% AI deal score

$2,556

$2,147

Save $409

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From PHL

Elite

Dec 01

Washington, D.C., United States

45% AI deal score

$2,625

$2,147

Save $478

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From PHL

Elite

Dec 02

Washington, D.C., United States

45% AI deal score

$2,636

$2,147

Save $489

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From PHL

Elite

Dec 01

Washington, D.C., United States

44% AI deal score

$2,505

$2,146

Save $359

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From PHL

Elite

Dec 02

Washington, D.C., United States

44% AI deal score

$2,503

$2,146

Save $357

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From PHL

Elite

Dec 01

Washington, D.C., United States

44% AI deal score

$2,494

$2,146

Save $348

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From PHL

Elite

Dec 02

Washington, D.C., United States

44% AI deal score

$2,516

$2,146

Save $370

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From PHL

Elite

Dec 01

Washington, D.C., United States

44% AI deal score

$2,493

$2,147

Save $346

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

From PHL

Elite

Sep 21

Washington, D.C., United States

44% AI deal score

$2,954

$2,686

Save $268

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Washington, D.C.

Historically, the lowest prices for flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. are found when booking 14-27 days in advance. During this period, the average price is around $271. Booking 7-13 days out typically sees prices rise to about $462, while booking 60+ days in advance can result in an average price of $481. Even last-minute bookings, 0-6 days prior, average around $358, indicating that the 14-27 day window is generally the most economical.

Across the trailing quarter, a good price for a flight from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. is considered to be $267 or less. The median price for this route historically stands at $318. Prices can vary, with about 75% of observed fares being $485 or less. Travelers aiming for the best value should target prices at or below the $267 threshold.

Historically, April has been the cheapest month to fly from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., with a median price of $185. February also offers competitive pricing, with a median of $234. While August can be one of the more expensive months, with a median price of $279, it still falls below the annual median price of $318 for this route. Travelers looking for the lowest fares should consider flights in April or February.

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Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.: Overview

Insights for flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

How much is a round trip from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Regular price: $187 - $456

Prices are currently below the regular range for flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

The regular price range for this route is between $187 and $456. The current lowest deal is $108 with Frontier Airlines for travel from Oct 15-Oct 19.

now $108

Low $187

High $456

The cheapest time to fly from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

April

Cheapest

Flights from $185

January

Most Expensive

Flights from $837

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

United Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Sat, Sep 19

⌛ Last-Minute

PHL - Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia (PHL) - Washington, D.C. (IAD)

$363

$349

One-way

Thu, Oct 1

⌛ Last-Minute

PHL - Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia (PHL) - Washington, D.C. (IAD)

Frontier Airlines

$281

$235

One-way

Thu, Oct 1

⌛ Last-Minute

PHL - Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia (PHL) - Washington, D.C. (DCA)

JetBlue Airways

$313

$268

One-way

Thu, Oct 1

⌛ Last-Minute

PHL - Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia (PHL) - Washington, D.C. (DCA)

$313

$291

One-way

Fri, Oct 2

⌛ Last-Minute

PHL - Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia (PHL) - Washington, D.C. (IAD)

$281

$291

One-way

Sat, Oct 3

⌛ Last-Minute

PHL - Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia (PHL) - Washington, D.C. (BWI)

Frontier Airlines

$240

$273

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

3 nights

Oct 19 - Oct 22

$269 → $124

54%

4 nights

Oct 15 - Oct 19

$236 → $108

54%

1 night

Oct 27 - Oct 28

$269 → $146

46%

1 night

Nov 3 - Nov 4

$247 → $126

49%

Popular Airports to fly from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia - Washington, D.C. route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares near the typical level

Recent fares from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. are near the typical level of $318.

📅 Best time to fly

April is the cheapest month to fly

Historically, April is the cheapest month to fly, with a median price of $185.

⏱️ Flight duration

Flights average 13h 21m

Flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. typically average 13 hours 21 minutes.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are dominant

Connecting flights are dominant, with a median of 2 stopovers on this route.

🏆 Airline highlight

Frontier Airlines has a deal for $108

Frontier Airlines has a recent deal for $108, departing October 15 and returning October 19.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals are frequent on this route

Deals on flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. are frequent, appearing every 30 days.

Philadelphia main airports to depart from

Philadelphia International (PHL)

Cheapest

Philadelphia International is a convenient option for flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

📍 ~11 km from city center

💸 Flights from ~$104

Washington, D.C. main airports to arrive at

Baltimore–Washington International (BWI)

Cheapest

Baltimore–Washington International is a good option for flights to Washington, D.C. from Philadelphia.

📍 ~44 km from Washington, D.C. (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$104

Airports nearby Washington, D.C. used as alternative

Philadelphia International (PHL)

Washington, D.C., United States

44% AI deal score

$2,954

$2,686

Save $268

Air Canada, +1

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Washington, D.C.

Cheap Flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Today’s best flight deals from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.: Overview

Insights for flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

How much is a round trip from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

The cheapest time to fly from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Direct flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Last-minute flights going from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Popular Airports to fly from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia - Washington, D.C. route insights

Recent fares near the typical level

April is the cheapest month to fly

Flights average 13h 21m

Connecting flights are dominant

Frontier Airlines has a deal for $108

Deals are frequent on this route

Philadelphia main airports to depart from

Washington, D.C. main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby Washington, D.C. used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Washington, D.C.

Best Elite deals to Washington, D.C.

Dec 01

Dec 02

Dec 02

Dec 01

Dec 01

Dec 02

Dec 01

Dec 02

Dec 01

Dec 02

Dec 01

Sep 21

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Washington, D.C.

How early should I book Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. flights to get the cheapest price?

How much should a flight from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. cost?

What's the best month to fly from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.?

What percentage of Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. flights are direct?

How many hours is the flight from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.?

Is it cheaper to fly direct or with a layover from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.?

Related routes

More routes from Philadelphia

Flights to Washington, D.C. from other cities

Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.: Overview

Insights for flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

How much is a round trip from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

The cheapest time to fly from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Direct flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Last-minute flights going from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Popular Airports to fly from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia - Washington, D.C. route insights

Recent fares near the typical level

April is the cheapest month to fly

Flights average 13h 21m

Connecting flights are dominant

Frontier Airlines has a deal for $108

Deals are frequent on this route

Philadelphia main airports to depart from

Washington, D.C. main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby Washington, D.C. used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Washington, D.C.

Best Elite deals to Washington, D.C.

Dec 01

Dec 02

Dec 02

Dec 01

Dec 01

Dec 02

Dec 01

Dec 02

Dec 01

Dec 02

Dec 01

Sep 21

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Washington, D.C.

How early should I book Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. flights to get the cheapest price?

How much should a flight from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. cost?

What's the best month to fly from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C.?