Travelling from San Diego to Washington DC: what you need to know
Start your trip planning by checking out the ideal departure point for your flight from San Diego to Washington DC. Explore your options for setting off from San Diego International Airport (SAN) or McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD), two of the city's main airports.
The chief entry points to Washington DC are Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Jump on a direct San Diego to Washington DC flight and you'll be flying for an average of 5 hours.
The timezone in Washington DC is UTC-4, which is three hours ahead of San Diego.
The busiest route for flights from San Diego to Washington DC is from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). There are 28 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from SAN to IAD is the 07:55 United Airlines option. If you prefer travelling later, the final scheduled service is at 22:00 with United Airlines.
To ensure you catch your San Diego to Washington DC flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule to follow.
Be prepared for bigger queues in popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to Washington DC
The cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from San Diego to Washington DC is P4,157. For a return flight on this route, the best price is P8,313. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares could change.
Get cheap San Diego to Washington DC flights by booking two months ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time for finding the biggest deals.
Plan your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring an incredible deal on plane tickets from San Diego to Washington DC. If you're flexible on when you fly, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across every month.
You don't need to check back in every day to see if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll tell you when there's a better deal on cheap flights from San Diego to Washington DC.
Select your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your San Diego to Washington DC flight results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Leave from San Diego International Airport (SAN) on a direct flight from San Diego to Washington DC. You can touch down at these Washington DC airports from SAN:
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
You'll find a variety of airlines offering direct San Diego to Washington DC plane tickets with departures from SAN, including:
Travelling from central San Diego to SAN takes about 20 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 3 kilometres in 10 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
After an easy start to your holiday? Stay near San Diego International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from San Diego to Washington DC or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels have you covered:
Of the departures from San Diego International Airport, 71.38% land on schedule at their destination.
You'll find SAN at N Harbour Dr.
Arriving in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
The distance from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to central Washington DC is roughly 5 kilometers. It'll take you about 15 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of about 45 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from San Diego to Washington DC, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these accommodation options near DCA:
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 to explore Washington DC and beyond.
For the best deal, book your ride from Ronald Reagan National Airport around four weeks in advance of your San Diego to Washington DC flight.
DCA is situated at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
The centre of Washington DC is around 40 kilometres from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Once your flight from San Diego to Washington DC has touched down and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of around 50 minutes.
Travelling by public transport will take around 1 hour 10 minutes.
There are some comfortable places to lay your head close to IAD. Unwind after your San Diego to Washington DC flight at any of these perfectly located options:
No need to worry about public transport schedules or waiting forever for a cab. Grab a Washington Dulles International Airport rental car and take your journey in whatever direction you like. Compare rates and availability from Dollar, Thrifty and Sixt.
Get the lowest price by booking your ride from IAD one week in advance. You can also expect to have a wider range of vehicles.
The address for Washington Dulles International Airport is 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Make your way to the city centre after your flight from San Diego to Washington DC has touched down. Central Washington DC is around 40 kilometres from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and takes roughly 50 minutes to reach by cab or ride-share.
If you travel by public transport, the journey will take you about 1 hour 30 minutes.
If you don't want to make the journey into the centre, find a hotel near BWI. Make yourself comfy at one of these options after your San Diego to Washington DC flight:
Begin your journey without stressing over how to arrive at your destination with a Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport rental car. Find your perfect set of wheels with trusted names here like Dollar, Thrifty and Budget.
About two weeks ahead of your flight from San Diego to Washington DC is a good time to book your vehicle from BWI. You're likely to snag a better deal or score some early bird savings.
Best time to go to Washington DC
February is the busiest month for flights from San Diego to Washington DC. To avoid the crowds, visit Washington DC in May.
Book a San Diego to Washington DC ticket departing in July if you want to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Washington DC to range from 19ºC (66ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from San Diego to Washington DC in January when temperatures average between -6ºC (21ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF).
More about Washington DC
Start your Washington DC trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. After booking your flight from San Diego to Washington DC, check out our range of accommodation options including:
White House Historical Association and The White House are a couple of top attractions to put on your Washington DC travel itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to National Mall.
Explore more of United States
You've seen Washington DC, now it's time to discover other parts of United States. Travel around 322 kilometres north-east to New York to check off its top sights. From Statue of Liberty to Central Park and Empire State Building, your itinerary will be busy.
If you want to check out another side of United States, head for Philadelphia, roughly 193 kilometres north-east of Washington DC. Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Philadelphia Museum of Art are among its highlights.