Travelling from Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): what you need to know
Around 6 hours is how long you'll be travelling on a direct flight from Washington Dulles Airport to San Francisco International Airport.
The timezone in San Francisco is UTC-8, which is three hours behind Washington DC.
Each week, there are 56 Washington Dulles Airport to San Francisco International Airport flights. If you prefer to be on board as early as possible, jump on the 06:22 United Airlines flight. If you're eager to make the most of your day before flying, the latest flight is at 22:15 with United Airlines.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to catch your IAD to SFO flight.
During popular months such as July, it's best to get to the airport well in advance. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're travelling during a peak period in general.
United offers direct flights from Washington Dulles Airport to San Francisco International Airport. Book with this popular airline, then get ready to see the sights in San Francisco — and maybe even more of the United States if your schedule allows.
The majority of passengers choose to travel with United on this route.
United is the most punctual carrier that operates IAD to SFO flights, with 78.78% of its services arriving as scheduled.
We make it a cinch to book a flight with a stopover. To see your options for tickets from Washington Dulles Airport to San Francisco International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight with a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Popular stopovers between IAD and SFO include:
Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Denver International Airport
Harry Reid International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
R 1,407 is the lowest price for a one-way Washington Dulles Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight. A return flight starts from R 2,943. These fares may change depending on availability and demand.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap tickets from IAD to SFO if you book early. Airlines often have some excellent early bird deals.
Plan your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for flights from Washington Dulles Airport to San Francisco International Airport. If you have flexibility with your dates, try out the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across each month.
You won't have to check every day to see if fares have gone down when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from IAD to SFO.
Secure the right flight for you by using the filters. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Washington Dulles Airport to San Francisco International Airport, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by departure and arrival times, airline, and journey duration.
Handy information about Washington Dulles Airport (IAD)
The address for IAD is 1 Saarinen Circle.
77% of flights taking off from Washington Dulles Airport touch down at their destination on schedule.
Central Washington DC to Washington Dulles Airport is around 40 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 45 minutes to get there if you're ride-sharing, catching a taxi or driving.
The journey when using public transport typically takes 1 hour 10 minutes.
Taking an early flight from Washington Dulles Airport to San Francisco International Airport? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near IAD:
Arriving at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Reserve a hotel near SFO if you're catching a late Washington Dulles Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight. Settle into one of these options and skip the long transfer after landing:
Begin your adventure by picking up a San Francisco International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and explore beyond San Francisco's main sights.
Booking your vehicle from San Francisco International Airport about one week ahead can help you get the lowest rate.
When to fly to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
It's time to pick your travel dates for your flight from Washington Dulles Airport to San Francisco International Airport. July is the most popular month to visit San Francisco. If you prefer a quieter vibe, go in March.
When reserving your flight from Washington Dulles Airport to San Francisco International Airport, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. September is the warmest month in San Francisco, with the temperature ranging from 12ºC (54ºF) to 24ºC (75ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between 5ºC (41ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF). Look for cheap tickets from IAD to SFO sometime around then if you want to travel when it's cooler.
Explore more of the United States
You've seen San Francisco, now it's time to explore other corners of the United States. Journey around 64 kilometres south-east to San Jose to tick off its top sights. From Winchester Mystery House to The Tech Interactive and Santa Clara Valley, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
If you want to check out another corner of the United States, head for Fresno, about 257 kilometres south-east of San Francisco. Forestiere Underground Gardens, Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo are among its highlights.