Travelling from Washington DC to San Diego: what you need to know
Begin planning your trip by checking out the departure points for your flight from Washington DC to San Diego. Explore your options for setting off from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), two of the city's main airports.
When it comes to arriving in San Diego, San Diego International Airport (SAN) is a major hub. Another is McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD).
5 hours 28 minutes is the average duration of a direct flight from Washington DC to San Diego. Following the UTC-7 timezone, San Diego is 3 hours behind Washington DC.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your flight from Washington DC to San Diego. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Longer lines at check-in and security are more likely if you're flying during high season, so give yourself a little extra breathing room. A good rule for peak times? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
When flying domestically within United States, you don't need a visa or passport. However, you'll have to show another form of identification, like a driver's licence or ID card. Once you've booked cheap flights from Washington DC to San Diego, make sure your ID is up to date.
Flying from Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling — and possibly even explore another city. When searching for flights from Washington DC to San Diego departing from Ronald Reagan National Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL)
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX)
The journey from central Washington DC to DCA takes approximately 43 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 8 kilometres in 16 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
In search of a convenient hotel close to Ronald Reagan National Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Washington DC to San Diego, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your departure lounge:
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
It's also possible to take a direct flight from Washington DC to San Diego out of Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Nonstop connections from IAD will get you to San Diego International Airport (SAN).
From IAD, direct flights from Washington DC to San Diego are available with United Airlines.
Split up your flight from Washington DC to San Diego with a stop so you can recharge or cross another place off your list. Some top stopovers between Ronald Reagan National Airport and San Diego include:
Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL)
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX)
IAD is around 56 kilometres from central Washington DC. It'll take 51 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 3 hours and 26 minutes.
You're going on holiday, so why not book an extra night away from home? 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:
Arriving in San Diego
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Diego International Airport (SAN) to central San Diego takes around 9 minutes by car. It's approximately 5 kilometres away.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 20 minutes.
Book a hotel close to SAN if you have a late flight from Washington DC to San Diego. Select one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)
After your flight from Washington DC to San Diego has hit the tarmac, you can reach the city centre in about 39 minutes by car. Central San Diego is roughly 56 kilometres from McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD).
The journey will take about 2 hours and 14 minutes on public transport.
There are some comfortable hotels ready to welcome you near CLD. Settle in after your flight from Washington DC to San Diego at one of these perfectly located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to San Diego
Currently, ₹ 5,984 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Washington DC to San Diego. The cheapest price for a return flight is ₹ 15,329. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
It's a good idea to book in advance if you're looking for cheap tickets from Washington DC to San Diego. That's because airlines adjust prices based on demand, which tends to increase closer to the date of departure.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest tickets from Washington DC to San Diego throughout the entire month. It's the best way to snap up a bargain if your travel dates are flexible.
Sign into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. You'll get notified right away if there's a cheaper deal on this route. It's easy to do, and it'll save you from checking for cheap tickets from Washington DC to San Diego every day.
Use filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Washington DC to San Diego, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by departure and arrival times, airline, and journey duration.
Best time to go to San Diego
July is the busiest month for flights from Washington DC to San Diego. To steer clear of the crowds, head to San Diego in May.
Book your flight from Washington DC to San Diego for August if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in San Diego to range from 17ºC to 28ºC.
February sees average temperatures of between 7ºC and 23ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Washington DC to San Diego around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about San Diego
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in San Diego right here. Explore these hotels once you've booked your flight from Washington DC to San Diego:
San Diego Zoo and USS Midway Museum are just a couple of the top-rated attractions to put on your San Diego must-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out SeaWorld San Diego.
Complete your San Diego trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Washington DC to San Diego to track down amazing deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and easily compare your options. Plus we give you all the info you need to drive in San Diego, from the most popular car type to the best time to book.