$41 Cheap flight deals from Washington (WAS) to Columbia (JEF)

The Best DC Airports

Before you call airlines looking for flights from Washington, DC, you should check with Orbitz.com. The two major airports in DC are Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Alaska Airlines, US Airways, and Frontier Airlines handle domestic flights from Ronald Reagan, while Virgin America, ExpressJet Airlines, and Colgan Air operate out of Washington Dulles. Ronald Reagan is only three miles from the downtown area, and Washington Dulles is 26 miles from downtown.

Long-Term Parking Options

The five parking lots at Ronald Reagan offer daily and hourly parking rates, and the airport charges $20 per day for parking in the long-term lots. The economy lot only charges $12 per day, but this lot is open and uncovered. Washington Dulles has two long-term parking lots that charge $17 per day and one economy lot that charges $10 per day. For $30, you can use valet parking.

Public Transportation Choices

The Metrorail and Metrobus make at least one stop at each airport every day. The stops are clearly marked around the city, and you can find maps that help you find the correct line. Taxis are not as low cost as the public transportation options because the drivers charge a pickup fee, baggage fee, fee per mile, and a fee for any time that the driver must wait.

Places to Eat

Both airports offer a range of dining options. Washington Dulles is home to Dulles to Go, Five Guys, Subway, and Wendy's, while Ronald Reagan has Dunkin' Donuts, Euro Cafe, and Jerry's Subs & Pizza. Once you have something to eat, you can browse through the sales at some of the shops surrounding the restaurants. If you want to enjoy your vacation, use Orbitz.com to look for flights from Washington DC.

Columbia Regional Airport

When you book cheap flights to Columbia, you will be flying to the Columbia Regional Airport. This small Missouri airport sees around 40,000 passengers each year, and all of these passengers book flights on Delta Connection planes because this is the airport's only airline. Although you might wait months for the airline to offer sales on tickets, Orbitz.com offers low prices every day. With Orbitz.com, you can even save money on a hotel room or on a rental car to drive the 12 miles to downtown Columbia.

Cars, Taxis, and Shuttles

As you walk through the airport, keep your eyes peeled for Enterprise or Hertz, as these two rental car agencies both have offices there. There are nine taxi cab companies servicing the airport, including Tiger Taxi, Economy Cab Company, and American Taxi, and you can find these cabs waiting outside the terminal. Stoney Creek Inn and Courtyard by Marriott offer free shuttle service for guests staying at the hotels.

Mild Winters and Warm Summers

Winters in Columbia are generally mild, with temperatures in the low to mid-40s, although temperatures can also drop to freezing. The summers usually have higher temperatures in the high 80s and low 90s, with temperatures sometimes dropping into the 60s.

Festivals and Fairs

Depending on when you visit, you might have the chance to experience some of the great low-cost or free festivals and fairs in Columbia. The Citizen Jane Film Festival, the Family Fun Fest, and Hot Summer Nights are just a few of the events that keep tourists coming back every year. With the cheap flights to Columbia offered by Orbitz.com, you can easily afford to come back multiple times for every event that peaks your interest.