FlightsFrom Washington, D.C.

To San Francisco

Cheap Flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Browse current best options from Washington, D.C.. Become a member to unlock all deals and get alerts when new deals appear.

Deals from

Washington, D.C.

RatePunk searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to San Francisco

Prices updated 24 days ago

486,190 searches this week

171 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated May 29, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

July 14 - July 28

Cheapest
Earliest

IAD - San Francisco

$320

$212

Round trip

August 12 - August 31

IAD - San Francisco

$325

$213

Round trip

August 10 - August 31

IAD - San Francisco

$318

$213

Round trip

July 14 - August 12

Earliest

IAD - San Francisco

$313

$213

Round trip

August 18 - August 31

IAD - San Francisco

$337

$214

Round trip

August 10 - August 20

IAD - San Francisco

$336

$218

Round trip

September 23 - September 30

BWI - San Francisco

$249

$218

Round trip

September 15 - September 22

BWI - San Francisco

$238

$218

Round trip

August 12 - August 25

IAD - San Francisco

$331

$218

Round trip

August 10 - August 12

Best

IAD - San Francisco

$383

$218

Round trip

Unlock all 500+ flight deals to San Francisco and get alerts when great deals appear

Route Intelligence — 486,190 Searches this Week

Insights for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

A typical journey from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco takes about 17h 53m, including connections. This is a medium-haul route, covering a distance of 3885 kilometers. Given that most itineraries connect at least once, this median duration reflects the time spent on connecting flights.
For travelers seeking cheap flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, prices typically range from $395–$755, with a median of $517. Right now, fares are above the typical level, and only 5% of recent fares were classified as a good price. New deals appear almost daily, so setting a price alert can help you track fare changes.
The cheapest time to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is typically in November, with a median fare of $343. February also offers more affordable options, with a median fare of $387, followed closely by March, where the median fare is $393.
When flying from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, most itineraries connect at least once, with only 22.3% of recent fares being non-stop. For connecting itineraries, the typical number of stopovers is 2.

How much is a round trip from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Regular price: $278 - $353

Prices for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco are currently below the regular range.

The regular price range for this route is between $278 and $353. The current lowest deal is $212 with Frontier Airlines, for travel from July 14 to July 28.

now $212

Low $278

High $353

The cheapest time to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

The cheapest month to fly from Washington to San Francisco is November, with a median price of $343. The most expensive month is December, with a median price of $770. Prices are generally lower from January to November.

November

Cheapest

Flights from $343

December

Most Expensive

Flights from $770

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Direct flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Airline logo

United Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Fri, Jul 10

⌛ Last-Minute

DCA - San Francisco

Frontier Airlines

Washington, D.C. (DCA) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$301

$256

One-way

Sat, Jul 11

⌛ Last-Minute

DCA - San Francisco

Frontier Airlines

Washington, D.C. (DCA) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$301

$257

One-way

Tue, Jul 14

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Francisco

Frontier Airlines

Washington, D.C. (IAD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$320

$212

One-way

Tue, Jul 14

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Francisco

Frontier Airlines

Washington, D.C. (IAD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$313

$213

One-way

Tue, Jul 14

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Francisco

Frontier Airlines

Washington, D.C. (IAD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$353

$252

One-way

Tue, Jul 14

⌛ Last-Minute

IAD - San Francisco

Frontier Airlines

Washington, D.C. (IAD) - San Francisco (SFO)

Frontier Airlines

$321

$254

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

3 nights

Aug 26 - Aug 29

$637  →  $240

62%

5 nights

Aug 24 - Aug 29

$634  →  $250

61%

5 nights

Aug 20 - Aug 25

$634  →  $250

61%

5 nights

Aug 6 - Aug 11

$622  →  $249

60%

Popular Airports to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

Washington, D.C. - San Francisco route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

Recent fares for Washington, D.C. to San Francisco are above the typical level at $212.

📅 Best time to fly

November is historically cheapest at $343

Historically, November is the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.

⏱️ Flight duration

Median flight time is 17h 53m

The median flight time from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is 17 hours 53 minutes.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are most common

Connecting flights are dominant on this route, with 22.3% of deals being direct.

🏆 Airline highlight

United Airlines offers direct flights

United Airlines is one carrier that historically offers direct flights on this route.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear frequently

Deals for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco appear frequently, over once a day.

Washington, D.C. main airports to depart from

Washington Dulles International (IAD)

Cheapest

Fly from Washington Dulles International for a potentially cheaper option to San Francisco.

📍 ~40 km from Washington, D.C. (reachable by car or bus)

💸 Flights from ~$212

Baltimore–Washington International (BWI)

Consider Baltimore–Washington International for another departure choice to San Francisco.

📍 ~50 km from Washington, D.C. (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$218

Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)

Ronald Reagan Washington National offers a convenient departure point for flights to San Francisco.

📍 ~5 km from Washington, D.C. (reachable by car or metro)

💸 Flights from ~$254

San Francisco main airports to arrive at

San Francisco International (SFO)

Cheapest

San Francisco International Airport is a primary gateway for travelers flying to San Francisco from Washington, D.C.

📍 ~20 km from San Francisco (reachable by car, rail, and bus)

💸 Flights from ~$212

Airports nearby San Francisco used as alternative

Oakland International (OAK)

Oakland International is a useful alternative, especially if you are traveling to the East Bay.

📍 ~19 km from San Francisco (reachable by BART public transit)

💸 Flights from ~$293

San Jose International (SJC)

Cheapest

San Jose International is a major airport serving the South Bay, often with fewer weather delays.

📍 ~70 km from San Francisco (located approximately 45-60 miles south)

💸 Flights from ~$227

Sacramento International (SMF)

Sacramento International is a robust alternative, particularly for travelers in the northern and eastern metro areas.

📍 ~120 km from San Francisco (significant driving distance)

💸 Flights from ~$234

Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County (STS)

Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County is convenient for travelers in the North Bay and Wine Country.

📍 ~90 km from San Francisco

💸 Flights from ~$405

Monterey Regional (MRY)

Monterey Regional is an alternative for travelers heading to the southern coastal region.

📍 ~140 km from San Francisco (significant distance)

💸 Flights from ~$279

Business & First Class Flight Deals to San Francisco

Discover luxury on the budget with premium cabin class on flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.

Elite

Best Elite deals to San Francisco

Exclusive daily First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy flight deals, refreshed every 24 hours.

From DCA

Elite

Oct 13

San Francisco, United States

89% AI deal score

$2,051

$1,357

Save $694

From DCA

Elite

Oct 27

San Francisco, United States

88% AI deal score

$1,885

$1,327

Save $558

From DCA

Elite

Oct 31

San Francisco, United States

88% AI deal score

$1,861

$1,357

Save $504

From BWI

Elite

Sep 08

San Francisco, United States

88% AI deal score

$1,570

$1,017

Save $553

From DCA

Elite

Oct 31

San Francisco, United States

87% AI deal score

$1,885

$1,377

Save $508

From DCA

Elite

Oct 24

San Francisco, United States

87% AI deal score

$1,828

$1,397

Save $431

From DCA

Elite

Oct 27

San Francisco, United States

87% AI deal score

$1,846

$1,397

Save $449

From BWI

Elite

Oct 07

San Francisco, United States

87% AI deal score

$1,592

$1,229

Save $363

From BWI

Elite

Sep 05

San Francisco, United States

86% AI deal score

$1,594

$1,225

Save $369

From BWI

Elite

Aug 14

San Francisco, United States

86% AI deal score

$1,725

$1,279

Save $446

From BWI

Elite

Jul 10

San Francisco, United States

86% AI deal score

$1,666

$1,288

Save $378

From DCA

Elite

Sep 21

San Francisco, United States

81% AI deal score

$1,656

$1,352

Save $304

From DCA

Elite

Nov 07

San Francisco, United States

81% AI deal score

$1,602

$1,367

Save $235

From DCA

Elite

Aug 19

San Francisco, United States

81% AI deal score

$1,685

$1,377

Save $308

From DCA

Elite

Sep 15

San Francisco, United States

81% AI deal score

$1,722

$1,377

Save $345

From DCA

Elite

Aug 29

San Francisco, United States

81% AI deal score

$1,636

$1,407

Save $229

From BWI

Elite

Aug 31

San Francisco, United States

81% AI deal score

$1,553

$1,247

Save $306

From BWI

Elite

Jul 18

San Francisco, United States

81% AI deal score

$1,649

$1,325

Save $324

From BWI

Elite

Aug 08

San Francisco, United States

81% AI deal score

$1,793

$1,350

Save $443

From IAD

Elite

Oct 20

San Francisco, United States

81% AI deal score

$1,344

$1,021

Save $323

From BWI

Elite

Aug 18

San Francisco, United States

80% AI deal score

$1,434

$1,221

Save $213

From BWI

Elite

Oct 02

San Francisco, United States

80% AI deal score

$1,508

$1,277

Save $231

From BWI

Elite

Sep 06

San Francisco, United States

80% AI deal score

$1,594

$1,340

Save $254

From BWI

Elite

Aug 28

San Francisco, United States

80% AI deal score

$1,683

$1,358

Save $325

From IAD

Elite

Oct 14

San Francisco, United States

80% AI deal score

$1,274

$983

Save $291

From IAD

Elite

Oct 21

San Francisco, United States

80% AI deal score

$1,303

$1,018

Save $285

From DCA

Elite

Sep 24

San Francisco, United States

80% AI deal score

$1,353

$1,018

Save $335

From DCA

Elite

Aug 26

San Francisco, United States

79% AI deal score

$1,516

$1,407

Save $109

From DCA

Elite

Aug 29

San Francisco, United States

79% AI deal score

$1,534

$1,407

Save $127

From DCA

Elite

Sep 01

San Francisco, United States

79% AI deal score

$1,564

$1,407

Save $157

From DCA

Elite

Aug 26

San Francisco, United States

79% AI deal score

$1,535

$1,407

Save $128

From DCA

Elite

Aug 19

San Francisco, United States

79% AI deal score

$1,530

$1,407

Save $123

From DCA

Elite

Nov 26

San Francisco, United States

79% AI deal score

$1,542

$1,407

Save $135

From BWI

Elite

Aug 24

San Francisco, United States

79% AI deal score

$1,386

$1,237

Save $149

From BWI

Elite

Jul 22

San Francisco, United States

79% AI deal score

$1,379

$1,244

Save $135

From BWI

Elite

Aug 22

San Francisco, United States

79% AI deal score

$1,434

$1,248

Save $186

From BWI

Elite

Aug 01

San Francisco, United States

79% AI deal score

$1,505

$1,297

Save $208

From BWI

Elite

Aug 07

San Francisco, United States

79% AI deal score

$1,492

$1,297

Save $195

From BWI

Elite

Jul 10

San Francisco, United States

79% AI deal score

$1,528

$1,363

Save $165

From DCA

Elite

Sep 15

San Francisco, United States

79% AI deal score

$1,299

$1,018

Save $281

From DCA

Elite

Aug 19

San Francisco, United States

78% AI deal score

$1,501

$1,407

Save $94

From BWI

Elite

Aug 22

San Francisco, United States

78% AI deal score

$1,407

$1,247

Save $160

From BWI

Elite

Aug 29

San Francisco, United States

78% AI deal score

$1,390

$1,247

Save $143

From BWI

Elite

Sep 26

San Francisco, United States

78% AI deal score

$1,379

$1,257

Save $122

From BWI

Elite

Aug 30

San Francisco, United States

78% AI deal score

$1,380

$1,277

Save $103

From BWI

Elite

Aug 14

San Francisco, United States

78% AI deal score

$1,429

$1,297

Save $132

From BWI

Elite

Aug 08

San Francisco, United States

78% AI deal score

$1,413

$1,300

Save $113

From DCA

Elite

Aug 19

San Francisco, United States

77% AI deal score

$1,478

$1,407

Save $71

From BWI

Elite

Sep 01

San Francisco, United States

77% AI deal score

$1,377

$1,282

Save $95

From BWI

Elite

Aug 26

San Francisco, United States

77% AI deal score

$1,407

$1,291

Save $116

From BWI

Elite

Jul 22

San Francisco, United States

77% AI deal score

$1,382

$1,312

Save $70

From BWI

Elite

Jul 24

San Francisco, United States

76% AI deal score

$1,334

$1,275

Save $59

From BWI

Elite

Jul 28

San Francisco, United States

76% AI deal score

$1,355

$1,302

Save $53

From BWI

Elite

Aug 28

San Francisco, United States

76% AI deal score

$1,379

$1,317

Save $62

From IAD

Elite

Sep 03

San Francisco, United States

76% AI deal score

$1,451

$1,382

Save $69

From IAD

Elite

Aug 18

San Francisco, United States

76% AI deal score

$1,440

$1,382

Save $58

From IAD

Elite

Aug 30

San Francisco, United States

76% AI deal score

$1,090

$1,018

Save $72

From IAD

Elite

Sep 15

San Francisco, United States

76% AI deal score

$1,083

$1,018

Save $65

From IAD

Elite

Sep 01

San Francisco, United States

75% AI deal score

$1,388

$1,347

Save $41

From DCA

Elite

Aug 28

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,372

From IAD

Elite

Nov 05

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,018

From IAD

Elite

Aug 07

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,158

From IAD

Elite

Aug 11

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,158

From IAD

Elite

Aug 16

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,198

From IAD

Elite

Sep 03

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,203

From IAD

Elite

Aug 07

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,203

From IAD

Elite

Jul 16

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,414

From IAD

Elite

Jul 16

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,414

From IAD

Elite

Jul 16

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,414

From IAD

Elite

Jul 16

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,414

From IAD

Elite

Aug 10

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,417

From IAD

Elite

Aug 04

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,426

From IAD

Elite

Aug 04

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,426

From IAD

Elite

Aug 04

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,426

From IAD

Elite

Jul 16

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,459

From IAD

Elite

Jul 15

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,459

From IAD

Elite

Jul 16

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,468

From IAD

Elite

Jul 16

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,468

From IAD

Elite

Aug 04

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,471

From IAD

Elite

Aug 02

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,472

From IAD

Elite

Aug 02

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,472

From IAD

Elite

Aug 02

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,472

From IAD

Elite

Jul 16

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,478

From IAD

Elite

Jul 16

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,478

From IAD

Elite

Jul 16

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,478

From IAD

Elite

Jul 16

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,478

From IAD

Elite

Jul 16

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,481

From IAD

Elite

Aug 04

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,489

From IAD

Elite

Aug 04

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,489

From IAD

Elite

Aug 04

San Francisco, United States

74% AI deal score

$1,489

From IAD

Elite

Jul 16

San Francisco, United States

73% AI deal score

$1,478

From IAD

Elite

Aug 11

San Francisco, United States

65% AI deal score

$2,803

From IAD

Elite

Aug 26

San Francisco, United States

50% AI deal score

$2,803

From IAD

Elite

Aug 29

San Francisco, United States

50% AI deal score

$2,803

From IAD

Elite

Aug 20

San Francisco, United States

50% AI deal score

$2,827

From IAD

Elite

Aug 14

San Francisco, United States

50% AI deal score

$3,183

From IAD

Elite

Aug 18

San Francisco, United States

50% AI deal score

$3,183

From IAD

Elite

Aug 21

San Francisco, United States

50% AI deal score

$3,183

From IAD

Elite

Aug 20

San Francisco, United States

50% AI deal score

$3,594

From IAD

Elite

Aug 15

San Francisco, United States

50% AI deal score

$3,677

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to San Francisco

Historically, the best time to purchase tickets for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is typically 60+ days before departure, with an average price of $533. Prices tend to increase as the departure date approaches. For instance, tickets bought 14-27 days out average around $638, while those purchased 0-6 days before departure can be as high as $1301 on average. Planning ahead can lead to significant savings on this route.

Across the trailing quarter, a good deal for a flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is considered to be around $395 or less. The median price for this route historically stands at $517. Prices can go up to $755 or more for the higher end of the market in the trailing 90 days. Keeping an eye out for fares at or below the $395 mark can help secure a favorable price.

Historically, November has been the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, with a median price of $343. February and March also offer competitive prices, with median fares of $387 and $393 respectively. The annual median price for this route is $517, indicating that these months provide notable savings compared to the yearly average. Planning your trip during these months could result in a more economical journey.