SAN - WAS

$135 Find Cheap Flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$342
Typical prices: $312-$550
Southwest
Sat 10/20Wed 10/24
SAN - BWI • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$346
Typical prices: $332-$554
Alaska Airlines
Sat 10/20Sat 10/27
SAN - IAD • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Average duration is 5h 01m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 5% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 91% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 10 weeks in advance save around 44% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 18% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $309 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 7h 01m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to Washington, D.C.!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. (SAN-WAS)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

Tue, Oct 20 - Sat, Oct 24
Southwest Logo
10:40 pm - 8:25 amSAN  San Diego-BWI Baltimore/Washington
6h 45m1 stop Chicago Midway
Southwest Logo
4:20 pm - 10:30 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SAN San Diego
9h 10m2 stops Buffalo Nashville Intl
$342Southwest
Sat, Nov 14 - Tue, Nov 17
Southwest Logo
7:00 am - 7:30 pmSAN  San Diego-BWI Baltimore/Washington
9h 30m2 stops Dallas Love Field Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Southwest Logo
7:55 am - 12:35 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SAN San Diego
7h 40m1 stop Chicago Midway
$342Southwest
Sat, Oct 24 - Tue, Oct 27
United Airlines Logo
6:15 am - 5:34 pmSAN  San Diego-BWI Baltimore/Washington
8h 19m1 stop San Francisco
United Airlines Logo
6:10 am - 12:56 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SAN San Diego
9h 46m2 stops Chicago O'Hare Intl Denver Intl
$342United Airlines
Fri, Oct 16 - Tue, Oct 20
Frontier Logo
9:34 am - 11:33 amSAN  San Diego-BWI Baltimore/Washington
22h 59m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
Frontier Logo
12:37 pm - 11:56 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SAN San Diego
14h 19m2 stops Dallas/Fort Worth Denver Intl
$343Frontier
Fri, Oct 16 - Wed, Oct 21
Frontier Logo
9:34 am - 11:33 amSAN  San Diego-BWI Baltimore/Washington
22h 59m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
Frontier Logo
12:37 pm - 11:56 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SAN San Diego
14h 19m2 stops Dallas/Fort Worth Denver Intl
$343Frontier
Tue, Oct 20 - Tue, Oct 27
Alaska Airlines Logo
9:46 am - 5:50 pmSAN  San Diego-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
5h 04mnonstop
Alaska Airlines Logo
7:24 pm - 9:53 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-SAN San Diego
5h 29mnonstop
$346Alaska Airlines
Sat, Oct 24 - Sat, Oct 31
Multiple Airlines Logo
5:44 pm - 6:20 amSAN  San Diego-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
9h 36m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:02 am - 2:38 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-SAN San Diego
10h 36m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$346Multiple Airlines
Sat, Oct 24 - Tue, Oct 27
Multiple Airlines Logo
5:44 pm - 6:20 amSAN  San Diego-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
9h 36m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:02 am - 2:38 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-SAN San Diego
10h 36m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$346Multiple Airlines
Sat, Oct 24 - Tue, Oct 27
Alaska Airlines Logo
11:10 am - 11:59 pmSAN  San Diego-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
9h 49m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Alaska Airlines Logo
7:24 pm - 9:53 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-SAN San Diego
5h 29mnonstop
$347Alaska Airlines
Fri, Feb 12 - Tue, Feb 16
United Airlines Logo
2:30 pm - 12:50 amSAN  San Diego-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
7h 20m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
United Airlines Logo
8:30 am - 11:08 amIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-SAN San Diego
5h 38mnonstop
$347United Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for San Diego to Washington, D.C. flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

Round-trip flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. start at $342. Prices are typical for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $312 to $550. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $342 on Southwest.

What is the cheapest San Diego to Washington, D.C. flight route?

There's little price difference between San Diego to Washington, D.C. routes. They average around $395 round-trip, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

Friday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Diego to Washington, D.C., it is 7% cheaper than the average day. Sunday is the most expensive day with flight prices 41% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

  • February is the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Washington, D.C. at $331 round-trip.
  • July ($483) and June ($456) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 45% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from San Diego to Washington, D.C. the cheapest?

Flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. are cheapest 10 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 44% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Expert on Alaska Airlines

Harriet is an award-winning journalist who is happiest in an airport or an unusual museum. Her stories about airports, air travel, and the business of travel have appeared on NBC News, CNBC, USA TODAY, The Points Guy and other outlets. She is the creator of the StuckatTheAirport.com blog and the author of nine books. When not out on the road or exploring the latest airport amenities, she’s home in Seattle getting ready for the next adventure.

Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on United Airlines and IAD

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance space, travel, and design writer based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her words have appeared in Space.com, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, among other publications. An expert in aviation and expedition cruising, Stefanie is frequently up in the air or on the sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

Brandon Schultz

Brandon Schultz

Expert on SAN

Brandon Schultz is an award-winning food and travel writer based in New York City. His work has appeared in Forbes, AAA, Thrillist, Travel + Leisure, and The Daily Meal, among many others, and he is the author of 6 books, including 3 cookbooks.

Key details for San Diego to Washington, D.C. flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$132
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 18% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 13% increase in price.
Flight from San Diego to Baltimore

When to book flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Diego to Washington, D.C. based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your San Diego to Washington, D.C. flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • Is there a hotel near the San Diego Airport?

    Though in the airport there aren’t any airports, you will find it fitting to check in to one of the hotels very close to the airport. You can check in at the Holiday Inn San Diego Hotel and Marina which offers a free shuttle ride to and from the hotel. Other hotels within the airport include The Sheraton San Diego is the closest hotel to the airport is the Town Place Suites San Diego Airport.

  • Are the places to eat at SAN?

    At the ticketing area on Terminal 1, you will find the Ryan Bro’s Coffee while on the landside of Terminal 2 the Einstein Bros. Bagels, both run 24hs. If you are more of a snacks/sweets person, you will be able to find vending machines all over the airport.

  • Does Washington Dulles Airport have sleeping spots?

    Most sleeping locations are found after the security checkpoint, so you will want to be past the checkpoint before it closes. From there, the sleeping spots are comprised of mostly arm-rest free seats and are found at Concourses D and C. Other places you can sleep are on the seats inside the cafés and around Gates D1 and C20.

  • Are there any airport lounges at Washington Dulles Airport?

    The lounges at WAS are numerous, starting with the one beside Gate A22 at Concourse A under Air France, which requires either a membership, a lounge pass, or a day pass. The British Airways Galleries Lounge, which also offers shower facilities, and the Turkish Airlines Lounge are both located on Concourse B. The United Club and the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse are located at Gate A32 at Concourse A on both Concourse D and C. Military personnel and their families are accommodated in the USO Military Lounge, which is located on the Arrivals Level of the Main Terminal. While you wait for your flight, you can read a book or watch television in the lounges.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on San Diego to Washington, D.C. flights?

    Among airlines operating San Diego to Washington, D.C. flights:

    • Alaska Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • American Airlines: offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • What airlines are available from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

    2 airlines operate flights between San Diego and Washington, D.C.. The airlines offering nonstop flights on this route include:

    • United Airlines
    • Alaska Airlines

  • Which airports can I use when flying from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

    Flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. usually depart from San Diego (SAN) and may arrive at several airports in Washington, D.C. area, including Washington, D.C. Reagan-National (DCA) and Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl (IAD).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on San Diego to Washington, D.C. flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Alaska Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • United Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • American Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in First Class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so travelers should check the fare details before booking.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

    Four cabin classes are available on flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.:

    • Economy Class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

    Prices vary by airline.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $309 round-trip via Newark (EWR), compared to $414 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $40–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. pass through?

    One-stop flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. most commonly connect through:

    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 66% of one-stop connections
    • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) - 5% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 5% of one-stop connections
    • Austin Bergstrom (AUS) - 4% of one-stop connections

    Denver Intl (DEN) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 34% on the San Diego to Washington, D.C. route. Friday is the cheapest departure day at $379 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $570, a difference of $191. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the San Diego to Washington, D.C. route, 12% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2 hours 26 minutes.

  • How are flight departures from San Diego to Washington, D.C. spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on San Diego to Washington, D.C. flights, with 40% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 40%, night flights for 20%, and evening flights for 0%.

  • What popular places can I visit in Washington, D.C.?

    Some of the most popular sights in Washington, D.C. are Walter E. Washington Convention Center, National Mall and Capital One Arena. These are among the most viewed places in Washington, D.C. on KAYAK.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from San Diego to Washington, D.C.:

    • Earliest: departs at 8:00 am and lands at 1:01 pm
    • Latest: departs at 9:45 pm and lands at 2:46 am.

    The flight takes about 5h 01m.

  • How expensive are last-minute San Diego to Washington, D.C. flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 52% above the route average of $404. Book 10 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

    A nonstop flight from San Diego to Washington, D.C. takes 5h 01m, covering 2,270 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID, or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

  • Have flight prices from San Diego to Washington, D.C. changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $342 to $2,868. That means the highest observed fare was about 8x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from San Diego to Washington, D.C. looking right now?

    One-way fares from San Diego to Washington, D.C. are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $149, which is 46% below the typical average for this route.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

    Flying via Lambert-St Louis (STL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 7h 01m, compared with 7h 02m via Austin Bergstrom (AUS) and 7h 08m via Dallas Love Field (DAL).

  • What is the time difference between San Diego and Washington, D.C.?

    Washington, D.C. is 3 hours ahead of San Diego (Eastern Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What car rental options are available in Washington, D.C.?

    Since Washington, D.C. is served by multiple airports, car rental options and rates can vary depending on which one you fly into.
    Near Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport (DCA) — daily rates from around $23:

    • Sixt
    • Dollar
    • Thrifty
    • Alamo
    • Budget

    Near Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport (IAD) — daily rates from around $24:

    • Dollar
    • Budget
    • Hertz
    • Sixt
    • Thrifty

  • How much should I expect to pay for a San Diego to Washington, D.C. flight?

    Round-trip flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. range from $312 to $550, with an average of $404 over the past 12 months. Anything below $312 counts as a good deal.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on San Diego to Washington, D.C. flights?

    Two airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi on San Diego to Washington, D.C. flights:

    • • Alaska Airlines
    • • JetBlue

    Pricing varies by airline and fare class. Some plans are included with the ticket or loyalty program; others are paid add-ons priced by flight length.

Your guide to booking San Diego to Washington, D.C. flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Friday departure instead of Sunday. On this route, Friday flights average $379 - about $191 less than Sunday (34% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 10 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 44% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Diego to Washington, D.C. trip for February. Fares historically average $331 round-trip in that month - typically $152 less than the most expensive month, which is July (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, United Airlines is the strongest pick on this route. 91% of United Airlines flights from San Diego to Washington, D.C. arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 88%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 2 hours 26 minutes, so choosing a carrier with strong on-time performance can make a difference on tight schedules.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Newark Airport (EWR) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $309 round-trip on this route - about $106 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport.
    - Hyatt House Washington DC The Wharf
    - Intercontinental Hotels Washington D.C. - The Wharf By IHG
    - Pendry Washington DC - The Wharf
  • Take note of the Traveler’s Aid while at San Diego International Airport (SAN) where you will be able to be assisted if you are distressed or stranded. There are volunteers working with the organization who are ready to offer assistance on matters pertaining to emergency housing, lost luggage and belongings, transportation, and destination queries. You can find them in the Baggage Claims area of Terminals 1 and 2.
  • You will be able to surf the internet while at SAN when connected to the free Wi-Fi, though there is a time limit of 2h.
  • If you need to charge your device while at Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), seek outlets in Concourse D, C, and near Gate B73. These areas are open to the public and are free to use.
  • At Concourse B of the Ronald Regan Washington National (DCA), you can locate the interfaith chapel where you can go to pray.
  • The pet relief areas at the Baltimore International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are found at Concourse C and Concourse E, close to the Airside at Door 19.

Prefer to fly direct from San Diego to Washington, D.C.?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from San Diego Airport to Washington, D.C., which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

San Diego to Washington, D.C.

Monday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Thursday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Friday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Saturday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Sunday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Washington, D.C. to San Diego

Monday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Thursday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Friday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Saturday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Sunday

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

Alaska Airlines,United Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from San Diego to Washington, D.C.

Complete your trip to Washington, D.C. with a hotel stay or car rental