Travelling from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Washington DC: what you need to know
Take a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport to Washington DC and you'll be travelling for around 6 hours.
San Francisco International Airport is located in San Francisco. Following the UTC-4 timezone, Washington DC is three hours ahead of San Francisco.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is the most popular route, with 61 departures a week to choose from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from SFO to IAD is with United Airlines at 23:59. Choose the first departure with United Airlines at 00:20 if you want to fly out earlier.
To avoid rushing for your SFO to Washington DC flight, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months such as August, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight whenever you're flying during high season in general.
Book a direct San Francisco International Airport to Washington DC ticket and enjoy a quicker route to your destination. SFO 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)
You'll have your pick of carriers offering direct flights from San Francisco International Airport to Washington DC. Book your seat with one of these:
SFO is about 18 kilometres from central San Francisco. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 45 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your travels? Stay near SFO. Whether you're taking an early flight from San Francisco International Airport to Washington DC or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are a convenient choice:
Of all flights departing from San Francisco International Airport, 77.36% touch down on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Washington DC
The best price we've found for a one-way San Francisco International Airport to Washington DC flight is R 1,205. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 2,460. Bear in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Book one month before you want to fly. Research on pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from SFO to Washington DC.
The best month for scoring cheap San Francisco International Airport to Washington DC tickets is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then choose the dates that offer the lowest fares.
You don't need to keep looking every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as there's an updated deal for cheap flights from SFO to Washington DC.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from San Francisco International Airport to Washington DC.
Airports in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to the centre of Washington DC takes around 15 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 8 kilometres away.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of about 45 minutes.
Think about booking a hotel near DCA if you're coming in on a late flight from San Francisco International Airport to Washington DC. Settle into one of these options and make your first night all about catching up on rest:
Pick up a Ronald Reagan National Airport rental car and discover Washington DC and beyond with your own set of wheels. Thrifty, Sixt and Dollar are popular providers to choose from here.
Reserving your ride from Ronald Reagan National Airport around four weeks before your flight from SFO to Washington DC can help you secure the lowest rate.
The street address for DCA is 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Central Washington DC is about 56 kilometres from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Once your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Washington DC has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of around 50 minutes.
The journey will take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes on public transport.
Following your SFO to Washington DC flight, tuck yourself in at a hotel near IAD. These are some great accommodation 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. Grab a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Sixt and be on your way in a flash.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Reserving your ride from IAD one week ahead of time often means lower prices and a greater range of vehicles.
Washington Dulles International Airport is located at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Head to the city centre after your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Washington DC has landed. Central Washington DC is about 48 kilometres from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and takes roughly 50 minutes to reach by taxi or ride-share.
If you go by public transport, the journey takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Enjoy an unhurried start to your break by choosing a hotel near BWI after your SFO to Washington DC flight. Recharge after a day of travel or simply give yourself time to get your footing in a new city at:
Stay in control of the next leg of your journey by picking up a Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport rental car. Dollar, Thrifty and Budget are reliable rental providers.
Around two weeks ahead of your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Washington DC is a good time to secure your ride from BWI. You're more likely to get a better rate or score some early bird savings.
Best time to go to Washington DC
Visit Washington DC during the high season if you like a bustling atmosphere, but remember that prices are typically higher. Alternatively, book flights from San Francisco International Airport to Washington DC in the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's quieter.
The warmest month in Washington DC is July, with temperatures ranging between 19ºC (66ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Book your San Francisco International Airport to Washington DC plane ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
January has average temperatures of between -6ºC (21ºF) and 10ºC (50ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from SFO to Washington DC around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Washington DC
Start your Washington DC trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from San Francisco International Airport to Washington DC, explore our selection of accommodation options including:
All great holidays should include a little sightseeing. The White House, White House Historical Association and National Mall are must-visits when exploring Washington DC.
Explore more of United States
New York is just one of the many places in United States waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Washington DC. Around 322 kilometres away to the north-east, its best attractions include Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Empire State Building.
Around 193 kilometres north-east of Washington DC, Philadelphia is another essential stop in United States. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Philadelphia Museum of Art.