How long is the flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Departing from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. will take you 5h 13m. Airlines will cover a distance of 2435 mi. This flight may include one or multiple stops.

What are the cheapest airlines flying from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. round-trip?

Cheapflights users have booked flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. round-trip from $128. Other airlines that can offer you cheap pricing are American Airlines, from $172, and Sun Country Air, from $218. Frontier is priced at 70% lower than the current average price of a flight leaving 3 months from now.

What are the cheapest airlines to fly from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. one-way?

$139 is the cheapest one-way deal found within the past few days, from Delta. You may also be able to find cheap deals on Southwest and United Airlines, with prices starting from $145 and $148, respectively.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Washington, D.C. ranges from 2.6 - 4.0 inches per month. May is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 4.0 in. February is typically the driest time to visit Washington, D.C. when rainfall is around 2.6 in.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Washington, D.C., use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, July is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 80.6 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 35.6 F).

What are the most popular routes from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

When deciding which route to take from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. consider San Francisco - Washington, D.C. Reagan-National, San Francisco - Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl or San Francisco - Baltimore/Washington as they are the most popular.

What are the cheapest flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

On average you can expect to pay $1,103 for a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.. The cheapest flight overall is $165 while the most popular route, (San Francisco - Washington, D.C. Reagan-National) is currently priced at $164.

What are the most reliable airlines from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

No one likes to see their flight delayed. When booking a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. consider choosing Asiana Airlines (86%), United Airlines (86%) or Egyptair (83%) as they are the most reliable in getting you off to your destination on time.

What are the most popular airlines that fly from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Delta are the most popular airlines when flying from San Francisco to Washington, D.C..

Where are the most common layover locations when flying from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Most of the time, San Francisco to Washington, D.C. flights that have layovers will stop in Denver. Atlanta sees the next most layovers on San Francisco to Washington, D.C. flights.

Where are the least popular layover locations for San Francisco to Washington, D.C. flights?

San Francisco to Washington, D.C. flights have a layover in Chicago least often. Charlotte follows Chicago in terms of the least common layover location on San Francisco to Washington, D.C. flights.

What are some popular things to do or see while on a layover in Denver?

Coors Field, 16th Street Mall, and Paramount Theatre are currently the most popular points of interest in Denver at the moment. Coors Field, 16th Street Mall, and Paramount Theatre can be accessed by traveling approximately 18.4 mi, 18.7 mi, and 18.6 mi, respectively from Denver Intl. Those landing in Denver looking to spend some time exploring during their layover can rent a car for about $53 per day.

What are some popular points of interest to see during a layover in Atlanta?

If you're on a layover in Atlanta and looking for things to do, consider visiting Georgia Aquarium, Tabernacle, or Fox Theatre. Those on a layover in Atlanta interested in visiting Georgia Aquarium, Tabernacle, or Fox Theatre can do so by traveling 8.6 mi, 8.3 mi, and 9.3 mi, respectively from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson. Travelers can rent a car at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson for an average daily rate of $53 to make sightseeing during their layover a little easier.

What is the cheapest day to fly round-trip from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Flying to your destination on a Saturday can be more expensive, but this shouldn’t discourage you from finding affordable options to get to Washington, D.C.. Check prices with Cheapflights to find a great deal for your trip.

How far in advance should I book a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

To save on the cost of your flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., book at least 29 days before your planned departure. Booking around this time can save you about 86% on the cost of this flight compared to booking a flight leaving this week. We have found prices from $499 if you need a flight within two weeks. For flights within the next 72 hours, you can find tickets from as low as $629.

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

September is one of the best times of the year to fly to Washington, D.C. from San Francisco. Prices for September average $427 per person but you can even find prices for as low as $165. The most expensive prices can be found in the month of December. Opting for a September flight can save you 18% on your journey compared to booking in December

What airport do you fly from for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Most people fly from San Francisco (SFO) if they book a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.. On average, San Francisco has 33 outbound flights to Washington, D.C. per day from 10 airlines. San Francisco is conveniently located just 11.8 mi from San Francisco’s city center.

Can I find deals for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. that include hotel bookings?

Yes. In addition to deals on San Francisco to Washington, D.C. flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.

How can I find direct flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C..

Can I find deals for business class flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

$135+ Flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

Q: How much does it cost to fly round-trip from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Airfare is below average for this route at the moment. San Francisco to Washington, D.C. flights typically cost between $296 and $507 in September. The cheapest round-trip price found within the last 3 days was $259 on Frontier (Sep 21-Sep 25).

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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. are usually found in September or February, booked 28 days in advance, depart on a Wednesday or Thursday and return on a Thursday

Cheap flight deals from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

Round-trip from	$259 (CheapOair)
One-way from	$135 (Southwest)
Popular in	December
Cheapest in	September
Average price	$389
Good round-trip deal	$357 or less
Good one-way deal	$193 or less

From San Francisco to Washington, D.C. (WAS)

Search Deals

One-way flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. (WAS)

Search Deals

Highest demand for flights based on searches. 8% potential increase in price ($38 potential increase over avg. RT price).

Search Deals

Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($7 potential savings vs. average RT price).

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Average for round-trip flights in September 2025

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Price to beat on a round-trip flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. (WAS).

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Price to beat on a one-way flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. (WAS).

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Find flight deals from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

Cheapest flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.
Explore the most affordable flight options available from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on September 11, 2025.

Sun 9/2111:00 pmSFO - BWI

1 stop22h 17mFrontier

Thu 9/256:22 amBWI - SFO

1 stop17h 59mFrontier

Deal found 9/10

$259

Tue 10/78:00 amSFO - BWI

1 stop17h 30mMultiple Airlines

Thu 10/912:12 pmBWI - SFO

2 stops14h 57mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$260

Fri 10/104:55 pmSFO - BWI

1 stop14h 28mMultiple Airlines

Thu 10/165:37 pmBWI - SFO

2 stops33h 37mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$261

Tue 10/218:45 amSFO - DCA

1 stop8h 44mAlaska Airlines

Sat 10/256:59 pmDCA - SFO

Nonstop5h 56mAlaska Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$262

Tue 10/76:25 amSFO - IAD

2 stops9h 29mAmerican Airlines

Sat 10/186:34 amIAD - SFO

1 stop8h 57mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$262

Fri 9/2611:57 pmSFO - BWI

1 stop10h 29mMultiple Airlines

Tue 9/308:16 amBWI - SFO

1 stop16h 05mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$262

Sat 10/189:30 pmSFO - BWI

Nonstop5h 20mUnited Airlines

Wed 10/226:45 amBWI - SFO

Nonstop5h 50mUnited Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$263

Thu 10/164:55 pmSFO - IAD

1 stop13h 14mFrontier

Mon 10/2010:04 amIAD - SFO

1 stop8h 56mFrontier

Deal found 9/11

$264

Thu 9/255:45 amSFO - BWI

2 stops39h 32mFrontier

Sun 10/58:14 pmBWI - SFO

1 stop28h 07mFrontier

Deal found 9/11

$264

Fri 10/2410:23 pmSFO - IAD

1 stop13h 54mFrontier

Tue 10/288:47 amIAD - SFO

2 stops16h 40mFrontier

Deal found 9/11

$265

Sat 10/49:30 pmSFO - BWI

Nonstop5h 20mUnited Airlines

Sat 10/117:00 pmBWI - SFO

Nonstop5h 50mUnited Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$265

Mon 10/66:29 amSFO - DCA

1 stop12h 30mFrontier

Wed 10/157:00 amDCA - SFO

1 stop18h 27mFrontier

Deal found 9/10

$266

Best flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.
Discover carefully curated flight deals from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. that have cost, travel time, and layovers in mind to ensure you get the best travel experience. Data last updated September 11, 2025.

Thu 11/1312:43 amSFO - DCA

1 stop7h 46mUnited Airlines

Sat 11/1510:30 amDCA - SFO

1 stop8h 05mUnited Airlines

Deal found 9/10

$272

Tue 1/206:00 amSFO - DCA

1 stop11h 55mAlaska Airlines

Thu 1/229:30 amDCA - SFO

1 stop9h 44mAlaska Airlines

Deal found 9/9

$276

Fri 10/1712:35 amSFO - DCA

1 stop7h 38mDelta

Wed 10/226:19 amDCA - SFO

1 stop7h 14mDelta

Deal found 9/11

$277

Sat 10/188:41 amSFO - DCA

1 stop8h 48mHawaiian Airlines

Tue 10/288:59 amDCA - SFO

1 stop8h 09mHawaiian Airlines

Deal found 9/10

$296

Fri 11/145:00 amSFO - IAD

2 stops9h 10mSouthwest

Sat 11/153:55 pmIAD - SFO

1 stop7h 25mSouthwest

Deal found 9/10

$311

Tue 10/287:00 amSFO - IAD

1 stop7h 13mAlaska Airlines

Thu 11/65:40 pmIAD - SFO

1 stop9h 06mAlaska Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$276

Tue 10/710:57 pmSFO - DCA

1 stop6h 45mDelta

Tue 10/144:51 pmDCA - SFO

1 stop9h 23mDelta

Deal found 9/11

$277

Thu 10/21:10 pmSFO - BWI

Nonstop5h 20mUnited Airlines

Tue 10/76:45 amBWI - SFO

Nonstop5h 50mUnited Airlines

Deal found 9/10

$279

Wed 11/57:00 amSFO - IAD

1 stop7h 13mAlaska Airlines

Fri 11/145:40 pmIAD - SFO

1 stop9h 06mAlaska Airlines

Deal found 9/9

$276

Mon 10/2012:35 amSFO - IAD

1 stop7h 51mDelta

Sat 10/257:35 amIAD - SFO

1 stop11h 30mDelta

Deal found 9/10

$277

Thu 11/69:12 amSFO - DCA

1 stop7h 48mHawaiian Airlines

Mon 11/106:58 pmDCA - SFO

Nonstop6h 13mHawaiian Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$307

Tue 1/209:09 amSFO - BWI

Nonstop5h 17mUnited Airlines

Thu 1/228:01 amBWI - SFO

1 stop10h 11mUnited Airlines

Deal found 9/9

$293

Last-minute flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.
Discover last-minute flight deals from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.. Data last updated September 11, 2025 and is based on user searches.

Sun 9/2111:00 pmSFO - BWI

1 stop22h 17mFrontier

Thu 9/256:22 amBWI - SFO

1 stop17h 59mFrontier

Deal found 9/10

$259

Thu 9/255:45 amSFO - BWI

2 stops39h 32mFrontier

Sun 10/58:14 pmBWI - SFO

1 stop28h 07mFrontier

Deal found 9/11

$264

Fri 9/2611:57 pmSFO - BWI

1 stop10h 29mMultiple Airlines

Tue 9/308:16 amBWI - SFO

1 stop16h 05mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$262

Sat 10/49:30 pmSFO - BWI

Nonstop5h 20mUnited Airlines

Sat 10/117:00 pmBWI - SFO

Nonstop5h 50mUnited Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$265

Mon 10/66:29 amSFO - DCA

1 stop12h 30mFrontier

Wed 10/157:00 amDCA - SFO

1 stop18h 27mFrontier

Deal found 9/10

$266

Tue 10/78:00 amSFO - BWI

1 stop17h 30mMultiple Airlines

Thu 10/912:12 pmBWI - SFO

2 stops14h 57mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$260

Tue 10/76:25 amSFO - IAD

2 stops9h 29mAmerican Airlines

Sat 10/186:34 amIAD - SFO

1 stop8h 57mAmerican Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$262

Fri 10/104:55 pmSFO - BWI

1 stop14h 28mMultiple Airlines

Thu 10/165:37 pmBWI - SFO

2 stops33h 37mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$261

Thu 10/164:55 pmSFO - IAD

1 stop13h 14mFrontier

Mon 10/2010:04 amIAD - SFO

1 stop8h 56mFrontier

Deal found 9/11

$264

Sat 10/189:30 pmSFO - BWI

Nonstop5h 20mUnited Airlines

Wed 10/226:45 amBWI - SFO

Nonstop5h 50mUnited Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$263

Tue 10/218:45 amSFO - DCA

1 stop8h 44mAlaska Airlines

Sat 10/256:59 pmDCA - SFO

Nonstop5h 56mAlaska Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$262

Fri 10/2410:23 pmSFO - IAD

1 stop13h 54mFrontier

Tue 10/288:47 amIAD - SFO

2 stops16h 40mFrontier

Deal found 9/11

$265

One-way flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.
Search for one-way flight options from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.. Find affordable one-way fares based on user searches. Data last updated September 11, 2025.

Tue 11/119:25 pmSFO - BWI

Nonstop5h 05mSouthwest

Deal found 9/11

$135

Thu 11/610:23 amSFO - BWI

2 stops18h 00mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$136

Sun 10/56:29 amSFO - BWI

2 stops37h 07mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 9/10

$137

Wed 10/1512:00 pmSFO - BWI

2 stops32h 49mMultiple Airlines

Deal found 9/11

$138

Mon 10/612:35 amSFO - BWI

1 stop7h 13mDelta

Deal found 9/11

$139

Thu 10/309:55 pmSFO - BWI

2 stops37h 15mFrontier

Deal found 9/11

$140

Tue 10/79:05 pmSFO - BWI

Nonstop5h 10mSouthwest

Deal found 9/10

$141

Sun 12/148:09 amSFO - DCA

1 stop9h 53mHawaiian Airlines

Deal found 9/9

$143

Sun 1/257:00 amSFO - IAD

1 stop7h 25mHawaiian Airlines

Deal found 9/9

$143

Fri 10/319:55 pmSFO - BWI

2 stops23h 07mFrontier

Deal found 9/11

$144

Mon 10/2710:23 pmSFO - IAD

1 stop18h 57mFrontier

Deal found 9/9

$145

Tue 9/307:25 amSFO - BWI

1 stop10h 08mDelta

Deal found 9/10

$145

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Use the filters below to find and compare flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. that are best for you.

Fly from

Fly to

Route

Depart

Return

Price

San FranciscoWashington, D.C.

SFO - DCA

SFODCA

San Francisco

Thu 11/13

12:43 am-11:29 am

1 stop7h 46m

Washington, D.C. Reagan-National

Sat 11/15

10:30 am-3:35 pm

1 stop8h 05m

$272

San FranciscoWashington, D.C.

SFO - DCA

SFODCA

San Francisco

Tue 1/20

6:00 am-8:55 pm

1 stop11h 55m

Washington, D.C. Reagan-National

Thu 1/22

9:30 am-4:14 pm

1 stop9h 44m

$276

San FranciscoWashington, D.C.

SFO - IAD

SFOIAD

San Francisco

Tue 10/28

7:00 am-5:13 pm

1 stop7h 13m

Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl

Thu 11/6

5:40 pm-11:46 pm

1 stop9h 06m

$276

San FranciscoWashington, D.C.

SFO - IAD

SFOIAD

San Francisco

Wed 11/5

7:00 am-5:13 pm

1 stop7h 13m

Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl

Fri 11/14

5:40 pm-11:46 pm

1 stop9h 06m

$276

San FranciscoWashington, D.C.

SFO - DCA

SFODCA

San Francisco

Fri 10/17

12:35 am-11:13 am

1 stop7h 38m

Washington, D.C. Reagan-National

Wed 10/22

6:19 am-10:33 am

1 stop7h 14m

$277

San FranciscoWashington, D.C.

SFO - DCA

SFODCA

San Francisco

Tue 10/7

10:57 pm-8:42 am

1 stop6h 45m

Washington, D.C. Reagan-National

Tue 10/14

4:51 pm-11:14 pm

1 stop9h 23m

$277

San FranciscoWashington, D.C.

SFO - IAD

SFOIAD

San Francisco

Mon 10/20

12:35 am-11:26 am

1 stop7h 51m

Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl

Sat 10/25

7:35 am-4:05 pm

1 stop11h 30m

$277

San FranciscoWashington, D.C.

SFO - DCA

SFODCA

San Francisco

Fri 11/14

9:45 am-5:58 pm

Nonstop5h 13m

Washington, D.C. Reagan-National

Mon 11/17

6:58 pm-10:11 pm

Nonstop6h 13m

$277

San FranciscoWashington, D.C.

SFO - IAD

SFOIAD

San Francisco

Sat 10/11

1:45 pm-12:40 am

1 stop7h 55m

Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl

Wed 10/15

5:52 pm-12:05 am

1 stop9h 13m

$277

San FranciscoWashington, D.C.

SFO - IAD

SFOIAD

San Francisco

Sat 10/4

6:15 am-6:39 pm

1 stop9h 24m

Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl

Sat 10/11

6:05 am-10:33 am

1 stop7h 28m

$277

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 9/11

Showing 1-10 of 60 results

...

The best insider tips for San Francisco to Washington, D.C. flights

Cheapflights partnered with top experts to bring you the best recommendations for your San Francisco to Washington, D.C. trip

Airlines

United Airlines

United's Economy Plus offers extra legroom and priority boarding, enhancing comfort and convenience.

United Polaris offers lie-flat seats and upscale amenities, perfect for premium transcontinental routes.

Read more about United Airlinesby Harriet Baskas

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines offers 32” legroom in Main Cabin, with pre-order hot meals available online.

Alaska Airlines' Wi-Fi is available for a flat fee, ideal for business travelers on longer flights.

Read more about Alaska Airlinesby Robert Schrader

Airports

SFO

For a quick check-in, use the AirTrain Red Line to navigate between terminals at SFO, saving time on long walks.

DCA

DCA is easily accessible via the Metro, offering a clean and affordable way to reach downtown D.C. from the airport.

IAD

Use the Silver Line Metro for a cost-effective way to reach IAD, with a station just five minutes from the terminal.

Our travel experts

Harriet Baskas

Expert on United Airlines and SFO

Robert Schrader

Expert on Alaska Airlines

Emily Zemler

Expert on DCA

Ramsey Qubein

Expert on IAD

Best time to book a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Washington, D.C. from San Francisco with our price prediction graph.

Estimated round-trip price

Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

How far ahead should I book a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

The price you pay for your flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. may vary depending on when you book. For the best chance of a lower fare, look to book 28 days in advance of your trip. Fares are likely to increase a fortnight or so before your departure date.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. (average of $292). Flying from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. in April is currently the most expensive (average of $337). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from SFO to WAS?

One of the essential ways to save on airfare from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. is to remain as flexible as possible. Flights that are at noon tend to be the most expensive. A flight in the afternoon could potentially save you up to 14% on airfare.

What is the cheapest day to fly from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Travelers seeking maximum savings on their San Francisco to Washington, D.C. flight should consider departing on Wednesday afternoons when fares are most often at their lowest. Sunday at noon flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

Weekly flight availability from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

The most flights from SFO to WAS are scheduled on a Thursday (40 on average). You will have fewer flight options on Tuesday, which is when the least amount of flights are scheduled (30 on average).

How much does it cost to fly round-trip from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

What’s the top layover airport for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Denver (DEN) – chosen by Cheapflights users on 90% of 1-stop itineraries from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. on Cheapflights.

What’s the cheapest layover airport for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Denver (DEN) is the most affordable 1-stop option, with an average round-trip price of $256.

What’s the fastest layover option from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Flights via Denver (DEN) have the shortest average one-way travel time for 1-stop routes: 10h 24m.

Which airport typically offers the quickest layover for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Flights via Las Vegas (LAS) offer the fastest connection on this route, with an average layover time of 2h 38m.

Reviews of airlines servicing Washington, D.C.

Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Alaska Airlines, Delta, and Hawaiian Airlines from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. by reading reviews from past customers. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Alaska Airlines

8.0

Very good

10,000 reviews

Reviews

1 / 20

6.0

Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Ticket said TSA pre check, but then the TSA agent said that Alaska Airlines has not actually entered the pre check information for the ticket, so I had to use regular security. During boarding, I have a disability and need to board early. The Alaska Airlines employee announced disability boarding, but then immediately announced 2 other groups to board, so I still had to fight the crowds. On the plane, the stewardess was brusk and rude. Seats were very uncomfortable, especially on lower back.

Alaska Airlines

8.0

Very good

10,000 reviews

Alaska Airlines

8.0

Very good

10,000 reviews

Reviews

1 / 20

6.0

Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Delta

8.0

Very good

7,960 reviews

Alaska Airlines

8.0

Very good

10,000 reviews

Reviews

1 / 20

6.0

Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Hawaiian Airlines

7.8

Good

2,723 reviews

Alaska Airlines

8.0

Very good

10,000 reviews

Reviews

1 / 20

6.0

Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

United Airlines

7.4

Good

8,937 reviews

Alaska Airlines

8.0

Very good

10,000 reviews

Reviews

1 / 20

6.0

Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Frontier

5.8

Fair

3,177 reviews

Alaska Airlines

8.0

Very good

10,000 reviews

Reviews

1 / 20

6.0

Good

Hannah,Aug 2025

SFO - SAN

Related info for your journey

What airport do you fly from for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?
Most people fly from San Francisco (SFO) if they book a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.. On average, San Francisco has 33 outbound flights to Washington, D.C. per day from 10 airlines. San Francisco is conveniently located just 11.8 mi from San Francisco’s city center.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?
Departing from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. will take you 5h 13m. Airlines will cover a distance of 2435 mi. This flight may include one or multiple stops.
What are the cheapest airlines flying from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. round-trip?
Cheapflights users have booked flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. round-trip from $128. Other airlines that can offer you cheap pricing are American Airlines, from $172, and Sun Country Air, from $218. Frontier is priced at 70% lower than the current average price of a flight leaving 3 months from now.
What are the cheapest airlines to fly from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. one-way?
$139 is the cheapest one-way deal found within the past few days, from Delta. You may also be able to find cheap deals on Southwest and United Airlines, with prices starting from $145 and $148, respectively.
What are the most popular routes from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?
When deciding which route to take from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. consider San Francisco - Washington, D.C. Reagan-National, San Francisco - Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl or San Francisco - Baltimore/Washington as they are the most popular.
What are the most reliable airlines from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?
No one likes to see their flight delayed. When booking a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. consider choosing Asiana Airlines (86%), United Airlines (86%) or Egyptair (83%) as they are the most reliable in getting you off to your destination on time.
What are the cheapest flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?
On average you can expect to pay $1,103 for a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.. The cheapest flight overall is $165 while the most popular route, (San Francisco - Washington, D.C. Reagan-National) is currently priced at $164.
Where are the most common layover locations when flying from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?
Most of the time, San Francisco to Washington, D.C. flights that have layovers will stop in Denver. Atlanta sees the next most layovers on San Francisco to Washington, D.C. flights.
What are some popular things to do or see while on a layover in Denver?
Coors Field, 16th Street Mall, and Paramount Theatre are currently the most popular points of interest in Denver at the moment. Coors Field, 16th Street Mall, and Paramount Theatre can be accessed by traveling approximately 18.4 mi, 18.7 mi, and 18.6 mi, respectively from Denver Intl. Those landing in Denver looking to spend some time exploring during their layover can rent a car for about $53 per day.
What are some popular points of interest to see during a layover in Atlanta?
If you're on a layover in Atlanta and looking for things to do, consider visiting Georgia Aquarium, Tabernacle, or Fox Theatre. Those on a layover in Atlanta interested in visiting Georgia Aquarium, Tabernacle, or Fox Theatre can do so by traveling 8.6 mi, 8.3 mi, and 9.3 mi, respectively from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson. Travelers can rent a car at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson for an average daily rate of $53 to make sightseeing during their layover a little easier.
Where are the least popular layover locations for San Francisco to Washington, D.C. flights?
San Francisco to Washington, D.C. flights have a layover in Chicago least often. Charlotte follows Chicago in terms of the least common layover location on San Francisco to Washington, D.C. flights.
Can I find deals for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. that include hotel bookings?
Yes. In addition to deals on San Francisco to Washington, D.C. flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.
How can I find direct flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?
After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C..
Can I find deals for business class flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?
Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.
What is the cheapest month to book a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?
Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. (average of $292). Flying from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. in April is currently the most expensive (average of $337). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

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Top 10 airlines flying from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

Airline	Cheapest	Average	Flexibility	On-time
Spirit Airlines	Cheapest$90	Average$177	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time65%
Frontier	Cheapest$128	Average$271	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time62%
American Airlines	Cheapest$172	Average$405	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time71%
Sun Country Air	Cheapest$218	Average$313	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time83%
Hawaiian Airlines	Cheapest$237	Average$416	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time85%
Delta	Cheapest$237	Average$391	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-timeN/A
JetBlue	Cheapest$237	Average$295	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time62%
Alaska Airlines	Cheapest$241	Average$420	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time75%
Southwest	Cheapest$288	Average$459	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time63%
United Airlines	Cheapest$295	Average$507	FlexibilityNo cancel fee	On-time69%

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$135+ Cheap flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Washington, D.C. (WAS)

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 11/11. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.

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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. are usually found in September or February, booked 28 days in advance, depart on a Wednesday or Thursday and return on a Thursday

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Cheapest flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.Explore the most affordable flight options available from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on September 11, 2025.

Explore the most affordable flight options available from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on September 11, 2025.

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Best time to book a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Washington, D.C. from San Francisco with our price prediction graph.

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Everything you need to know about your flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

How far ahead should I book a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.. Price data was last updated on August 29, 2025.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from SFO to WAS?

Find hourly flight availability from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated September 11, 2025.

What is the cheapest day to fly from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.. Price data was last updated on September 7, 2025.

Weekly flight availability from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

How much does it cost to fly round-trip from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

What’s the top layover airport for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Share of 1-stop round-trip flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. chosen by Cheapflights users in the past 12 months, using the same layover each way.

What’s the cheapest layover airport for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Average round-trip fare for 1-stop flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., chosen by Cheapflights users in the past 12 months, with the same layover each way.

What’s the fastest layover option from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Shortest average travel time for 1-stop one-way flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., based on itineraries clicked by Cheapflights users over the past 12 months, grouped by layover airport.

Which airport typically offers the quickest layover for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Average layover duration for 1-stop one-way flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., chosen by Cheapflights users in the last 12 months, grouped by stopover airport.

Reviews of airlines servicing Washington, D.C.

Get a feel of what it's like to fly with Alaska Airlines, Delta, and Hawaiian Airlines from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. by reading reviews from past customers. Users have also rated airlines in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

What airport do you fly from for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

How long is the flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

What are the cheapest airlines flying from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. round-trip?

What are the cheapest airlines to fly from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. one-way?

What are the most popular routes from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

What are the most reliable airlines from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

What are the cheapest flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Where are the most common layover locations when flying from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

What are some popular things to do or see while on a layover in Denver?

What are some popular points of interest to see during a layover in Atlanta?

Where are the least popular layover locations for San Francisco to Washington, D.C. flights?

Can I find deals for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. that include hotel bookings?

How can I find direct flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Can I find deals for business class flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Traveling to a place near Washington, D.C.?

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Top 10 airlines flying from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

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Cheapest flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.
Explore the most affordable flight options available from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on September 11, 2025.