WAS - SAN

$127 Find Cheap Flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$337
Typical prices: $330-$560
American Airlines
Sun 11/4Sat 11/10
BWI - SAN • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$337
Typical prices: $339-$566
Southwest
Sat 11/3Sat 11/10
BWI - SAN • Non-stop
Advice from real travelers
Alaska Premium Class adds extra legroom; United Economy Plus offers up to 6 inches more.
For more rebooking options, choose IAD over DCA on Washington, D.C. to San Diego flights.
Expert advice
+1
Expert advice
+1
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Average duration is 5h 37m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 5% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 11 weeks in advance save around 45% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 24% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $216 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 7h 00m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to San Diego!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

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

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

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

Tue, Nov 3 - Tue, Nov 10
American Airlines Logo
5:45 am - 10:39 amBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SAN San Diego
7h 54m1 stop Charlotte Douglas
American Airlines Logo
7:41 am - 5:45 pmSAN  San Diego-BWI Baltimore/Washington
7h 04m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$337American Airlines
Sat, Oct 17 - Sat, Oct 24
American Airlines Logo
4:04 pm - 11:38 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SAN San Diego
10h 34m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
American Airlines Logo
9:25 pm - 8:45 amSAN  San Diego-BWI Baltimore/Washington
8h 20m1 stop Charlotte Douglas
$337American Airlines
Sat, Feb 20 - Sat, Feb 27
United Airlines Logo
12:25 pm - 5:50 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SAN San Diego
8h 25m1 stop Houston George Bush Intcntl
United Airlines Logo
6:28 pm - 5:52 amSAN  San Diego-BWI Baltimore/Washington
8h 24m1 stop San Francisco
$337United Airlines
Tue, Oct 13 - Tue, Oct 20
United Airlines Logo
6:00 pm - 8:29 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-SAN San Diego
5h 29mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
9:45 pm - 5:41 amSAN  San Diego-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
4h 56mnonstop
$337United Airlines
Tue, Nov 3 - Tue, Nov 10
Southwest Logo
6:20 pm - 8:55 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SAN San Diego
5h 35mnonstop
Southwest Logo
9:55 pm - 5:35 amSAN  San Diego-BWI Baltimore/Washington
4h 40mnonstop
$337Southwest
Tue, Dec 8 - Tue, Dec 15
Southwest Logo
6:20 pm - 8:55 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SAN San Diego
5h 35mnonstop
Southwest Logo
1:50 pm - 12:45 amSAN  San Diego-BWI Baltimore/Washington
7h 55m1 stop Denver Intl
$337Southwest
Tue, Jan 5 - Tue, Jan 12
Delta Logo
5:30 pm - 9:52 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SAN San Diego
7h 22m1 stop Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
Delta Logo
6:15 am - 3:50 pmSAN  San Diego-BWI Baltimore/Washington
6h 35m1 stop Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
$337Delta
Tue, Oct 13 - Tue, Oct 20
Delta Logo
2:11 pm - 7:36 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SAN San Diego
8h 25m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Delta Logo
10:25 pm - 10:54 amSAN  San Diego-BWI Baltimore/Washington
9h 29m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$337Delta
Mon, Sep 28 - Thu, Oct 1
Frontier Logo
1:29 pm - 6:00 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SAN San Diego
7h 31m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
Frontier Logo
6:45 pm - 12:00 pmSAN  San Diego-BWI Baltimore/Washington
14h 15m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$338Frontier
Fri, Sep 25 - Thu, Oct 1
Frontier Logo
1:29 pm - 6:00 pmBWI  Baltimore/Washington-SAN San Diego
7h 31m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
Frontier Logo
6:45 pm - 12:00 pmSAN  San Diego-BWI Baltimore/Washington
14h 15m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$338Frontier
Booking Insights

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

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

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

Round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego start at $337. Prices are typical for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $330 to $560. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $337 on American Airlines.

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

There's little price difference between Washington, D.C. to San Diego routes. They average around $417 round-trip, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

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

Saturday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Diego, it is 8% cheaper than the average day. Sunday is the most expensive day with flight prices 19% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

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

  • January is the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Diego at $321 round-trip.
  • June ($510) and July ($473) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 58% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

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

Flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego are cheapest 11 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 45% 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 Washington, D.C. to San Diego

 
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 Washington, D.C. to San Diego flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

$127
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 1% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 20% increase in price.
Flight from Baltimore to San Diego

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

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

Flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from Washington, D.C. to San Diego 
Verified travelerFlew with Alaska Airlines-Feb 2026
DCA only has a few flights to other coast. IAD has many. If something goes wrong you’ll have more options flying out of IAD.
RebeccaFlew with Alaska Airlines-Sep 2024
Get something to eat in the airport, just in case there is no food onboard.

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

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

  • Which of the Washington airports provide animal relief areas?

    All three WAS airports provide areas where service animals or pets can go to the bathroom. IAD has three animal relief stations located outside the terminal and two stations located airside. BWI has two areas landside and two airside. DCA has four pet relief stations landside and two airside.

  • Which of the WAS airports have a USO?

    All three. The USO lounge at IAD, BWI, and DCA welcome active-duty US military, US military retirees, National Guard, Reservists, and family members of all of them. In these lounges, free of charge, soldiers and their families can enjoy some entertainment, relax and rest, connect with home, and enjoy some refreshments.

  • Does SAN provide areas for nursing moms?

    Yes. You’ll find three lactation rooms located at the San Diego Airport. One is in the West Rotunda of Terminal 1, one is in the East Rotunda of Terminal 1, and one is at Gate 34 in Terminal 2. These rooms feature soft lighting, comfy seating, a seat for children, electrical outlets, a hand washing station, and soothing artwork on the walls.

  • How can I get from SAN into San Diego City center?

    From Terminal 1, you can board San Diego Metro Transit bus #992 that will take you into downtown San Diego and drop you off at Broadway and State Street. The buses run approximately every 20min and the trip takes about 18min. You can also take a shuttle or a taxi into downtown San Diego, which will take about half the time but cost about twice as much.

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

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

    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Alaska 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 Washington, D.C. to San Diego?

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

    • United Airlines
    • Alaska Airlines

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

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

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

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

    • United Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Alaska Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • American Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Business 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 Washington, D.C. to San Diego?

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

    • 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 Washington, D.C. to San Diego?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $216 round-trip via Seattle/Tacoma Intl (SEA), compared to $431 for nonstop.

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

    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 Washington, D.C. to San Diego pass through?

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

    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 59% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 5% of one-stop connections
    • Charlotte Douglas (CLT) - 5% of one-stop connections
    • Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH) - 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 Washington, D.C. to San Diego?

    On the Washington, D.C. to San Diego route, being flexible with your departure day can save you up to 23%. Saturday is the cheapest day at $392 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $508: a $116 difference. Cheaper weekend fares like these are typical of routes dominated by weekday business travel.

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

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

  • What popular places can I visit in San Diego?

    Some of the most popular sights in San Diego are Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego Convention Center and SeaWorld San Diego. These are among the most viewed places in San Diego on KAYAK.

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

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

    • Earliest: departs at 8:35 am and lands at 2:12 pm
    • Latest: departs at 7:47 pm and lands at 1:24 am.

    The flight takes about 5h 37m.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 56% above the route average of $425. Book 11 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

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

    A nonstop flight from Washington, D.C. to San Diego takes 5h 37m, covering 2,270 miles.

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

    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 Washington, D.C. to San Diego 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 $337 to $2,801. That means the highest observed fare was about 8x higher than the lowest one.

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

    One-way fares from Washington, D.C. to San Diego are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $146, which is 45% below the typical average for this route.

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

    Flying via Dallas Love Field (DAL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 7h 00m, compared with 7h 06m via Nashville Intl (BNA) and 7h 21m via Minneapolis St Paul (MSP).

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

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

  • What car rental options are available at San Diego Airport (SAN)?

    San Diego Airport (SAN) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $14 for economy cars. Top options include:
    • Dollar
    • Payless
    • Europcar
    • Thrifty
    • Fox

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

    Round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. to San Diego range from $330 to $560, with an average of $425 over the past 12 months. Anything below $330 counts as a good deal.

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

    Two airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi on Washington, D.C. to San Diego 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 Washington, D.C. to San Diego 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 Saturday departure instead of Sunday. On this route, Saturday flights average $392 - about $116 less than Sunday (23% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 11 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 45% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Washington, D.C. to San Diego trip for January. Fares historically average $321 round-trip in that month - typically $189 less than the most expensive month, which is June (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Seattle/Tacoma Intl Airport (SEA) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $216 round-trip on this route - about $215 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 San Diego Airport.
    - Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown Little Italy
    - Bay Club Hotel & Marina
    - Sheraton San Diego Resort
  • The three major airports of Washington DC (WAS) all fly to San Diego. The Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is a hub for United Airlines, Southern Airways Express, Air Wisconsin, and others. The Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is a hub for Southwest Airlines, Cape Air, AirTran Airways, and others. The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) serves as a hub for American Airlines, US Airways, American Eagle, and others. The San Diego International Airport (SAN) serves as a focus city for Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
  • If you want to fly from Washington DC to San Diego nonstop, you will likely be booking a United Airlines flight that departs from IAD or a Southwest flight that departs from BWI. One-stop flights depart from all three WAS airports on airlines such as Frontier, American, Delta, and United. Layover cities include New York (EWR), Chicago (ORD), Minneapolis (MSP), Atlanta (ATL), San Francisco (SFO), and Dallas (DFW). Two-stop flights are also available from all three WAS airports.
  • The San Diego Airport provides a Traveler's Aid service, which is located near the baggage claim in Terminals 1 and 2. Open daily from 8 am to 11 pm, Traveler’s Aid helps distressed or stranded travelers. Travelers Aid can assist with situations such as the need for emergency housing, transportation assistance, lost or stolen money, and more.
  • If you're muscles feel stiff or sore after your cross-country flight, consider easing out the kinks at the Be Relax Spa at the San Diego Airport. There are two locations in Terminal 2 airside. The spa at Gate 26 is open from 6 am to 8 pm and the Gate 36 spa is open from 7 am to 8 pm.
  • All three WAS airports provide passengers with a place to pray. IAD has an interfaith chapel that welcomes all and also has a trauma team ready to act in cases of devastating loss. BWI has a meditation room and DCA has an interfaith chapel.

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

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

Direct departures

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

Direct returns

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

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

Complete your trip to San Diego with a hotel stay or car rental