Cheap Flights from Washington D.C. to San Diego

Compare Washington D.C. to San Diego flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to San Diego

Book the best San Diego fare with no extra fees

Flight deals from Washington D.C. to San Diego

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Washington D.C. to San Diego? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

San Diego.R 988 per passenger.Departing Sat, 24 Jan.One-way flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Washington Ronald Reagan on Sat, 24 Jan, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 988, select.

San Diego.R 1,157 per passenger.Departing Wed, 4 Feb.One-way flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Washington Ronald Reagan on Wed, 4 Feb, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,157, select.

San Diego.R 1,552 per passenger.Departing Sat, 7 Mar.One-way flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Washington Ronald Reagan on Sat, 7 Mar, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 1,552, select.

San Diego.R 2,253 per passenger.Departing Tue, 6 Jan.One-way flight with Hawaiian Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Hawaiian Airlines departs from Washington Dulles on Tue, 6 Jan, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 2,253, select.

San Diego.R 2,362 per passenger.Departing Tue, 17 Feb.One-way flight with United.Outbound direct flight with United departs from Washington Dulles on Tue, 17 Feb, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 2,362, select.

San Diego.R 2,363 per passenger.Departing Sat, 7 Mar.One-way flight with Southwest Airlines.Outbound direct flight with Southwest Airlines departs from Baltimore Washington International on Sat, 7 Mar, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 2,363, select.

San Diego.R 2,422 per passenger.Departing Sat, 13 Dec.One-way flight with Frontier Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Frontier Airlines, departs from Washington Ronald Reagan on Sat, 13 Dec, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 2,422, select.

San Diego.R 2,869 per passenger.Departing Sun, 5 Apr.One-way flight with Delta.Outbound indirect flight with Delta, departs from Washington Dulles on Sun, 5 Apr, arriving in San Diego International.Price includes taxes and charges.From R 2,869, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Washington D.C. to San Diego

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Washington D.C. to San Diego flights are currently cheapest in January.

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Direct flights from Washington D.C. to San Diego

Alternative Washington D.C. to San Diego routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Washington D.C. to San Diego? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Washington D.C. to San Diego: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	R 988
Cheapest month to fly	January
Average flight time	5 hrs, 41 mins
Most popular airline	Southwest Airlines
Average flights per week	416

Finding cheap flights from Washington D.C. to San Diego: Frequently asked questions

How many airports are there in San Diego?

There are 2 airports in San Diego: San Diego International and McClellan-Palomar.

How much are return flights from Washington D.C. to San Diego?

The best price we found for a return flight from Washington D.C. to San Diego is R 2,196. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.

How long does it take to fly from Washington D.C. to San Diego?

5 hours and 41 minutes is the average flight time from Washington D.C. to San Diego.

Which airlines fly direct from Washington D.C. to San Diego?

Southwest Airlines, United and Hawaiian Airlines fly direct from Washington D.C. to San Diego.

How many flights are there a week from Washington D.C. to San Diego?

As of December 2025, there are 104 flights per week flying from Washington D.C. to San Diego.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Washington D.C. to San Diego?

The cheapest month to fly from Washington D.C. to San Diego is usually January.

Which is the cheapest airport to fly into in San Diego?

If you're flying from Washington D.C., the cheapest airport near San Diego is San Diego International – which is 4.1 km away from the centre of San Diego. We've found flights into this airport from R 2,196.

Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Washington D.C. to San Diego on?

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Washington D.C. to San Diego on Tuesday, 20 January 2026.

Can I get a direct flight from Washington D.C. to San Diego?

Yes – the average flight time is 5 hours and 41 minutes.

How can I get the best flight deal from Washington D.C. to San Diego?

We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to San Diego but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

When is the best time to book flights to San Diego?

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to San Diego is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

What’s the weather like in San Diego?

In December, the average temperature is usually around 13°C. August is typically the warmest month in San Diego, when it usually averages around 28°C. You can expect the least rain in June. The coldest month is December, with temperatures averaging 10°C. The rainiest month is February.

Which is the cheapest airline to fly from Washington D.C. to San Diego with?

The cheapest airline that flies to San Diego is Frontier Airlines. And the cheapest airline that flies to McClellan-Palomar Airport is Hawaiian Airlines.

Flying from Washington DC to San Diego: what you need to know

Start your journey at one of Washington DC's main airports, Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Explore your options for booking a flight from Washington DC to San Diego departing from either of these.
When it comes to touching down in San Diego, San Diego International Airport (SAN) is a major hub. Another is McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD).
Jump on a direct Washington DC to San Diego flight and you'll be in the air for an average of 5 hours 30 minutes.
San Diego's timezone is UTC-7, making San Diego three hours behind Washington DC.
With seven weekly flights between the two airports, Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the busiest route. Board the first flight from Washington DC to San Diego with Alaska Airlines at 08:30. If you'd like to make the most of your day before you fly, the latest departure from DCA to SAN is with Alaska Airlines at 09:59.
To ensure you don't miss your Washington DC to San Diego flight, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
You'll likely experience bigger queues during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.

How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to San Diego

Book two months before you want to travel. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Washington DC to San Diego flights.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring the biggest deals on plane tickets from Washington DC to San Diego. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across every month.
You don't need to check back in every day to see if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment a better deal is available on cheap flights from Washington DC to San Diego.
Find a cheap Washington DC to San Diego flight with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.

Flying from Washington DC

Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)

Set off from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) on a nonstop flight from Washington DC to San Diego. From DCA, you can fly straight to San Diego International Airport (SAN).
Alaska Airlines is a well-known carrier that offers direct Washington DC to San Diego plane tickets leaving from DCA.
Located around 6 kilometres from central Washington DC, DCA can be reached in about 15 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 45 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Washington DC to San Diego? Avoid rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near Ronald Reagan National Airport:
Of the departures from Ronald Reagan National Airport, 76.44% touch down on time at their destination.
You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

You can take a nonstop flight from Washington DC to San Diego leaving from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Start your journey at IAD and step off the plane at San Diego International Airport (SAN).
From IAD, you can lock in a direct Washington DC to San Diego plane ticket with United Airlines.
You can get to IAD from central Washington DC in about 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to cover the 40 kilometres or so.
You're off on holiday, so why not extend it with an additional night away? Think about kicking back in one of these accommodation options near Washington Dulles International Airport the day before your flight from Washington DC to San Diego:
Washington Dulles International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 74%. This figure highlights how often flights departing from this airport arrive on time.
You'll find IAD at 1 Saarinen Circle.

Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

Nonstop flights from Washington DC to San Diego are available from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). San Diego International Airport (SAN) is where you'll disembark.
Get ready for takeoff with Southwest Airlines. It offers direct Washington DC to San Diego plane tickets from BWI.
The journey to BWI from central Washington DC is around 1 hour 30 minutes by public transport. If you're in a car, it'll take you roughly 50 minutes to cover the 40 kilometres or so.
Make catching an early Washington DC to San Diego flight one of the easiest parts of your trip. Stay at one of these hotels close to Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and get to your boarding gate without rushing:
Flights that take off from BWI arrive at their destination within the expected time frame 77.13% of the time.

Arriving in San Diego

San Diego International Airport (SAN)

San Diego International Airport (SAN) is approximately 5 kilometres from central San Diego. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes around 10 minutes.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 20 minutes.
Reserve a hotel near SAN if you're coming in on a late flight from Washington DC to San Diego. Check in to one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a San Diego International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Thrifty, Dollar or Budget and explore beyond San Diego's main sights.
Get the best deal by booking your ride from San Diego International Airport around two weeks in advance of your trip.
SAN is located at N Harbour Dr.

McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)

Central San Diego is located around 48 kilometres from McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD). As soon as your flight from Washington DC to San Diego has touched down and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should be around 40 minutes.
If you hop on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 2 hours 15 minutes or so.
Budget, Hertz and Avis make picking up a McClellan-Palomar Airport rental car quick and easy. These providers are located around or in the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Get your preferred vehicle, not just what's left over, by reserving your ride from CLD before your arrival. You'll also avoid paying more than you need to, especially when the airport is busy.

Best time to go to San Diego

It's time to choose your trip dates for your flight from Washington DC to San Diego. July is the busiest month to visit San Diego. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, go in May.
When booking your Washington DC to San Diego tickets, think about the kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in San Diego, with temperatures ranging from 17ºC (63ºF) to 28ºC (82ºF).
February sees average temperatures of between 7ºC (45ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF). Look for cheap flights from Washington DC to San Diego around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.

More about San Diego

When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in San Diego right here. Check out these options as soon as you've locked in your flight from Washington DC to San Diego:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego are attractions you won't want to skip in San Diego.

Explore more of United States

Los Angeles is just one of the many cities in United States waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of San Diego. Around 177 kilometres to the north-west, popular attractions include Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.
If you're interested in discovering another major destination in United States, head for Phoenix, about 483 kilometres east of San Diego. Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum and Papago Park are key highlights.