Travelling from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Washington DC: what you need to know
Around 5 hours 45 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Washington DC.
Washington DC is three hours ahead of Los Angeles, where Los Angeles International Airport is located. Washington DC observes the UTC-4 timezone.
With 52 weekly flights between the two airports, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is the most popular route. United Airlines operates the earliest flight at 00:10. If you prefer to get more out of your day before jetting off, the latest departure from LAX to IAD is with United Airlines at 23:59.
Leave plenty of time to make your LAX to Washington DC flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience longer lines in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
Book a direct Los Angeles International Airport to Washington DC ticket and get to your destination faster. LAX has nonstop flights to these Washington DC airports:
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
A good selection of airlines operate direct flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Washington DC. The most well-known include:
Travelling from central Los Angeles to LAX takes around 55 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want a leisurely start to your journey? Stay near LAX. Whether you have an early flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Washington DC or just don't like being rushed, these hotels put convenience first:
Los Angeles International Airport scores top marks for on-time performance. 81.05% of flights that take off from LAX reach their destination on time.
The address for LAX is One World Way.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Washington DC
R 1,446 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way Los Angeles International Airport to Washington DC flight. A return ticket right now is R 2,164. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
To score cheap flights from LAX to Washington DC, book your trip three months ahead of your departure.
July is the best month for picking up an incredible deal on Los Angeles International Airport to Washington DC tickets. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for each month.
Snapping up a cheap flight from LAX to Washington DC couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know when a better deal is available.
Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Washington DC by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Airports in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
The distance from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to central Washington DC is roughly 8 kilometres. It'll take you about 15 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Travelling on public transport will take you around 45 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Washington DC. Book one of these accommodation options near DCA instead:
Pick up a Ronald Reagan National Airport rental car and discover Washington DC and beyond with your own wheels. Thrifty, Sixt and Dollar are popular providers to choose from here.
For the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Ronald Reagan National Airport about four weeks in advance of your flight from LAX to Washington DC.
DCA is located at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is roughly 56 kilometres from the centre of Washington DC. Once you've disembarked your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Washington DC, it'll take you around 50 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
You can expect the trip to take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes on public transport.
After stepping off your LAX to Washington DC flight, settle in at a hotel near IAD. These are some great options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Washington Dulles International Airport rental car. Collect a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Sixt and be off and running.
Call dibs on the best options. Booking your ride from IAD one week ahead of time often means more savings and a wider selection of vehicles.
Washington Dulles International Airport is located at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is around 48 kilometres from central Washington DC. It takes about 50 minutes to get to the city centre in a taxi or ride-share once you've hopped off your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Washington DC.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Stay at a hotel close to BWI and get from baggage claim to your bed in a snap. Whether you have a late LAX to Washington DC flight or just want to keep your travel plans simple, these accommodation options offer a quick route to a good night's sleep:
Be in the driver's seat of the next chapter of your journey with a Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport rental car. Dollar, Thrifty and Budget will get you on the road.
About two weeks before your flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Washington DC is a good time to book your ride from BWI. You're more likely to lock in a better rate or catch some early booking discounts.
Best time to go to Washington DC
Before securing your flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Washington DC, consider which time of year works best for you. Peak season in Washington DC offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty of activities, while the low season means you'll get cheaper hotel rates and smaller crowds.
Before locking in your Los Angeles International Airport to Washington DC plane ticket, think about the type of weather you enjoy. July is the warmest month in Washington DC, with temperatures ranging from 19ºC (66ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between -6ºC (21ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from LAX to Washington DC around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
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 Los Angeles International Airport to Washington DC, explore our selection of hotels including:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. The White House, White House Historical Association and National Mall are must-do's during your Washington DC adventure.
Explore more of United States
New York is just one of the many places in United States waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Washington DC. Around 322 kilometres away to the north-east, popular attractions include Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Empire State Building.
Around 193 kilometres north-east of Washington DC, Philadelphia is another favourite stop in United States. Start your sightseeing at Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Philadelphia Museum of Art.