Travelling from Seattle to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Start your adventure at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), the main airport in Seattle. Search for flights from Seattle to Los Angeles that take off from this base.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are the primary entry points to Los Angeles.
Hop on a direct Seattle to Los Angeles flight and you'll be in transit for an average of 2 hours 50 minutes.
Los Angeles's timezone is UTC-7, which is the same as Seattle.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the most traveled route that connects these two cities. There are 144 weekly flights to choose from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Seattle to Los Angeles is with Delta Air Lines at 21:45. Opt for the first SEA to LAX departure operated by American Airlines at 06:00 to maximise your time in Los Angeles.
To ensure you catch your Seattle to Los Angeles flight, leave enough time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
You can expect bigger queues in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seattle to Los Angeles
Book two months before you want to travel. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap Seattle to Los Angeles flights.
May is the best month for scoring an amazing deal on a plane ticket from Seattle to Los Angeles. If you'd like to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
There's no need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll tell you the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from Seattle to Los Angeles.
Save money on your Seattle to Los Angeles flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Seattle
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
If you're searching for a direct flight from Seattle to Los Angeles, you can depart from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Travel from SEA to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in one continuous trip.
You'll find plenty of airlines that offer direct Seattle to Los Angeles plane tickets out of SEA. Get up and away with one of these trusted names:
SEA is around 18 kilometres from central Seattle. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 55 minutes.
Looking for a handy hotel close to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Seattle to Los Angeles, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your check-in counter:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport earns top marks for its on-time performance. 81.27% of flights that depart SEA arrive at their destination as scheduled.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles takes around 30 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 19 kilometres away.
It usually takes 55 minutes to get there on public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Seattle to Los Angeles. Stay at one of these accommodation options near LAX instead:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Los Angeles International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and explore beyond Los Angeles's main sights.
Reserving your ride from Los Angeles International Airport about one week in advance gives you the best shot at securing a great deal.
The street address for LAX is One World Way.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Van Nuys Airport (VNY) is around 29 kilometres from the centre of Los Angeles. After your flight from Seattle to Los Angeles, it'll take you approximately 35 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.
Public transport will get you there in about 1 hour 40 minutes.
After your flight from Seattle to Los Angeles, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to VNY. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Budget, Dollar and Hertz make picking up a Van Nuys Airport rental car quick and easy. These trusted providers are located around or in the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Save time at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Reserve your ride from VNY ahead of time so you can just collect the keys and drive away.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
It's time to pick your trip dates for your flight from Seattle to Los Angeles. July is the most popular month for a trip to Los Angeles. If you like a more low-key vibe, go in May.
Before locking in your Seattle to Los Angeles tickets, consider what kind of weather works for you. August is the warmest month in Los Angeles, with temperatures ranging from 16ºC (61ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Seattle to Los Angeles in February when temperatures average between 6ºC (43ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF).
More about Los Angeles
Start your Los Angeles trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Seattle to Los Angeles, browse our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum are highlights which should be on any well-planned Los Angeles itinerary.
Explore more of United States
Los Angeles is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other parts of United States waiting to be explored. About 177 kilometres south-east of Los Angeles, a visit to San Diego will fill your itinerary to the brim. Don't miss top attractions like San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego.
Around 499 kilometres north-west of Los Angeles, San Jose is another essential stop in United States. Start your sightseeing at Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art.