SJO - WAS

$217 Find Cheap Flights from San José to Washington, D.C. - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$331
Typical prices: $278-$455
JetBlue
Wed 11/21Tue 11/27
SJO - IAD • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$361
Typical prices: $278-$537
United Airlines
Wed 11/7Wed 11/14
SJO - IAD • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
There are currently no direct flights between San José and Washington, D.C.. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
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Top routes
Cheapest
Most popular
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Avoid delays
Most punctual • 90% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
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When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 19 weeks in advance save around 18% compared to booking last minute.
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When to travel
Cheapest • 23% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $221 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 7h 05m (one-way)
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We hope you love your trip to Washington, D.C.!
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San José to Washington, D.C. (SJO-WAS)

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

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

Wed, Nov 11 - Sat, Nov 14
JetBlue Logo
2:30 pm - 12:50 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-BWI Baltimore/Washington
9h 20m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
JetBlue Logo
6:00 am - 1:05 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
8h 05m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$331JetBlue
Wed, Nov 4 - Fri, Nov 13
JetBlue Logo
2:25 pm - 9:10 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-DCA Washington, D.C. Reagan-National
17h 45m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
JetBlue Logo
6:00 am - 1:05 pmDCA  Washington, D.C. Reagan-National-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
8h 05m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$331JetBlue
Tue, Oct 27 - Mon, Nov 2
Copa Airlines Logo
3:58 am - 3:17 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-BWI Baltimore/Washington
9h 19m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
3:43 pm - 10:59 amBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
20h 16m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
$360Copa Airlines
Wed, Oct 28 - Mon, Nov 2
Copa Airlines Logo
5:55 pm - 4:20 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
8h 25m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
3:37 pm - 10:59 amIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
20h 22m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
$360Copa Airlines
Sat, Nov 7 - Fri, Nov 13
United Airlines Logo
2:15 pm - 7:59 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
4h 44mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
10:25 pm - 11:25 amIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
14h 00m1 stop Houston George Bush Intcntl
$361United Airlines
Sat, Nov 7 - Sat, Nov 14
United Airlines Logo
2:15 pm - 7:59 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
4h 44mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
8:59 am - 1:00 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
5h 01mnonstop
$361United Airlines
Sat, Nov 7 - Sat, Nov 14
Southwest Logo
1:10 pm - 6:50 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-BWI Baltimore/Washington
4h 40mnonstop
Southwest Logo
8:20 am - 12:15 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
4h 55mnonstop
$361Southwest
Thu, Oct 1 - Mon, Oct 5
Avianca Logo
5:25 pm - 2:15 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
6h 50m1 stop Guatemala City La Aurora
Avianca Logo
3:40 am - 8:30 amIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
6h 50m1 stop Guatemala City La Aurora
$362Avianca
Tue, Sep 1 - Thu, Sep 3
Avianca Logo
5:25 pm - 2:15 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
6h 50mnonstop
Avianca Logo
3:40 am - 8:30 amIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
6h 50mnonstop
$362Avianca
Wed, Oct 21 - Sat, Oct 24
Southwest Logo
9:00 am - 8:00 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-BWI Baltimore/Washington
9h 00m1 stop Orlando
Southwest Logo
6:35 am - 12:00 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
7h 25m1 stop Orlando
$375Southwest
Booking Insights

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

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

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

Round-trip flights from San José to Washington, D.C. start at $331. Prices are typical for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $278 to $455. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $331 on JetBlue.

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

There's little price difference between San José to Washington, D.C. routes. They average around $343 round-trip, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

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

Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San José to Washington, D.C., it is 5% cheaper than the average day. Monday is the most expensive day with flight prices 10% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

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

  • October is the cheapest month to fly from San José to Washington, D.C. at $265 round-trip.
  • July ($433) and April ($392) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 63% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

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

Flights from San José to Washington, D.C. are cheapest 19 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 18% 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 José to Washington, D.C.

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

Mark Chesnut

Mark Chesnut

Expert on Avianca and SJO

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer and public speaker with more than 30 years of experience. The 2019 winner of the NLGJA Excellence in Travel Writing Award, Mark is the author of the book “Prepare for Departure” and has covered air travel for multiple top consumer and trade media outlets.

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

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

$217
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 2% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 2% lower on average.
Flight from San José to Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport

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

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San José 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 José to Washington, D.C. flight questions, answered

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

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

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

    • United Airlines: offers free seat selection
    • Avianca: offers free seat selection
    • JetBlue: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

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

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

    Only United Airlines operates flights between San José and Washington, D.C..

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

    Flights from San José to Washington, D.C. usually depart from San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) 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 José to Washington, D.C. flights?

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

    • Avianca: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • United Airlines: a cabin bag in Economy Class class
    • Azul: a cabin bag in Economy Class 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 José to Washington, D.C.?

    Only Economy Class is available on flights from San José to Washington, D.C..

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

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $221 round-trip via San Francisco (SFO), compared to $382 for nonstop.

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

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $35–$70 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 José to Washington, D.C. pass through?

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

    • San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) - 35% of one-stop connections
    • Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH) - 25% of one-stop connections
    • Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) - 25% of one-stop connections
    • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) - 4% of one-stop connections

    San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

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

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 14% on the San José to Washington, D.C. route. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $327 round-trip on average, while Monday is the most expensive at $379, a difference of $52. 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 José 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 José to Washington, D.C. route, 13% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2 hours 1 minute.

  • 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.

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

    A nonstop flight from San José to Washington, D.C. takes 4h 44m, covering 2,045 miles.

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

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

    • Earliest: departs at 1:15 pm and lands at 5:59 pm
    • Latest: departs at 2:15 pm and lands at 6:59 pm.

    The flight takes about 4h 44m.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 7% above the route average of $343. Book 19 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

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

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • Have flight prices from San José 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 $331 to $2,870. That means the highest observed fare was about 9x higher than the lowest one.

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

    One-way fares from San José to Washington, D.C. are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $238, which is 12% above the typical average for this route.

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

    Afternoon 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 José to Washington, D.C.?

    Flying via Guatemala City La Aurora (GUA) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 7h 05m, compared with 7h 53m via Miami (MIA) and 7h 55m via Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY).

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

    Washington, D.C. is 2 hours ahead of San José (Eastern Time vs Central 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 José to Washington, D.C. flight?

    Round-trip flights from San José to Washington, D.C. range from $278 to $455, with an average of $343 over the past 12 months. Anything below $278 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking San José 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 Wednesday departure instead of Monday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $327 - about $52 less than Monday (14% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 19 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 18% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San José to Washington, D.C. trip for October. Fares historically average $265 round-trip in that month - typically $168 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, Avianca is the strongest pick on this route. 90% of Avianca flights from San José to Washington, D.C. arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 87%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 2 hours 1 minute, 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 San Francisco Airport (SFO) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $221 round-trip on this route - about $161 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
    - Canopy by Hilton Washington D.C - The Wharf
    - Intercontinental Hotels Washington D.C. - The Wharf By IHG

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

 
Find which airlines fly direct from San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport to Washington, D.C., which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

San José Juan Santamaria Intl to Washington, D.C.

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Washington, D.C. to San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

Everything you need to know for your flight from San José to Washington, D.C.

Information on your arrival and departure airports