Travelling from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport is 5 hours 50 minutes.
The timezone in San Francisco is UTC-7, which is three hours behind Washington DC.
Flights from IAD to SFO start from 06:23 — the earliest with United Airlines. The last service of the day is at 22:25 with United Airlines. Overall, you can choose from 77 weekly Washington Dulles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport flights.
For a stress-free journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to catch your IAD to SFO flight.
Flying during a peak time such as April? Public holidays and other high seasons can mean longer queues and delays at airport checkpoints. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
Alaska Airlines is your ticket to exploring San Francisco (and maybe even some other great corners of United States!). Browse the direct flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport offered by this airline.
Alaska Airlines is the airline most travellers choose for this route.
With 79.59% of its services arriving as scheduled, Alaska Airlines is the most punctual carrier offering IAD to SFO flights.
If you want to include a stop along the way, simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. Here are the most popular stopovers between IAD and SFO:
Denver International Airport
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport)
O'Hare International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way Washington Dulles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight is R 2,299. A round-trip ticket right now is R 4,529. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares could change.
Book six months before you travel. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to find cheap tickets from IAD to SFO.
The cheapest month for flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest prices if you have a flexible schedule.
Picking up cheap flights from IAD to SFO couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as there's a better deal.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport.
Handy information about Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
IAD is located at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Of the departures from Washington Dulles International Airport, 74.39% land on schedule at their destination.
Central Washington DC to Washington Dulles International Airport is approximately 56 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take you about 50 minutes to get there if you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing.
You can expect a journey time of around 3 hours 25 minutes when using public transport.
Booked an early flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport? Avoid rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays near IAD:
Arriving at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a Washington Dulles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight. Check in to one of these accommodation options near SFO instead:
Explore without limits with a San Francisco International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and chase adventure across San Francisco and beyond.
Booking your ride from San Francisco International Airport around one week in advance gives you the best shot at securing a great deal.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
From San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco is approximately 21 kilometres away. It takes around 20 minutes to reach the centre by car.
It'll take around 45 minutes to get there by public transport.
When to fly to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The quietest month for a flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport is February, while August is the busiest. Choose the ideal time to go to San Francisco based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Book your flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to San Francisco International Airport for September if you want to explore San Francisco during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 12ºC (54ºF) and 22ºC (72ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from IAD to SFO in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 6ºC (43ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF) on average.
Explore more of United States
You've visited San Francisco, now it's time to explore other parts of United States. Travel around 64 kilometres south-east to San Jose to tick off its popular sights. From Winchester Mystery House to Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Fresno is another sought-after destination in United States and is around 257 kilometres south-east of San Francisco. No journey is complete without seeing Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fresno Chaffee Zoo and Shinzen Japanese Garden.