Are there direct flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Yes, direct flights are available from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. Historically, approximately 29.8% of flights on this route have been direct. For flights that include a stopover, the median number of stopovers observed was 1. Travelers preferring a non-stop journey can find options, though connecting flights are also common.

What's the flight time from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

The typical direct flight time from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. is approximately 5 hours and 21 minutes, covering a distance of 3885 kilometers. For flights with one stop, the median travel time increases to about 9 hours and 26 minutes. Travelers should account for these differences when planning their journey, as connecting flights can add several hours to the total travel duration.

Are there frequently good prices on flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Historically, flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. are classified as a route with frequent good prices. This indicates that travelers often have opportunities to find favorable deals. The consistent availability of good prices makes this a popular route for those looking for value.

Flights From San Francisco

To Washington, D.C.

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

Browse current best options from San Francisco. Become a member to unlock all deals and get alerts when new deals appear.

Deals from

San Francisco

RatePunk searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Washington, D.C.

Prices updated 14 days ago

406 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Aug 2, 2026.)

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

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

2026-08-27 – 2026-08-31
SFO - Washington, D.C.
88% AI deal score
$473
$191
Round trip
2026-08-31 – 2026-09-02
SFO - Washington, D.C.
86% AI deal score
$464
$208
Round trip
2026-08-31 – 2026-09-16
SFO - Washington, D.C.
88% AI deal score
$370
$209
Round trip
2026-08-31 – 2026-09-29
SFO - Washington, D.C.
87% AI deal score
$354
$210
Round trip
2026-08-31 – 2026-09-26
SFO - Washington, D.C.
87% AI deal score
$354
$212
Round trip
2026-08-31 – 2026-09-22
SFO - Washington, D.C.
87% AI deal score
$358
$212
Round trip
2026-08-31 – 2026-09-15
SFO - Washington, D.C.
88% AI deal score
$373
$212
Round trip
2026-08-31 – 2026-09-18
SFO - Washington, D.C.
87% AI deal score
$363
$213
Round trip
2026-08-31 – 2026-09-23
SFO - Washington, D.C.
87% AI deal score
$358
$213
Round trip
2026-08-27 – 2026-08-30
SFO - Washington, D.C.
90% AI deal score
$622
$214
Round trip

San Francisco to Washington, D.C.: Overview

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

For those planning cheap flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., the most affordable time to fly is typically March, with a median fare of $226. Other cost-effective months include April and February, both with median fares of $229. These months offer the best opportunities to find lower prices for this route.

Fares for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. typically range from $236–$555, with a median of $369. Right now, current fares are above the typical level for this route. Approximately 18% of recent fares were classified as a good price, indicating that finding a deal requires some flexibility and timely booking. New deals appear almost daily, so setting up a price alert can be beneficial.

When flying from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., most itineraries connect at least once, with only 29.8% of recent fares being non-stop. For connecting flights, the typical number of connections is 1. This means you will likely encounter a layover on your journey.

A typical journey from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. takes about 5h 21m, including connections. This duration accounts for both direct and connecting itineraries, reflecting the overall travel time you can expect. For connecting flights specifically, the median journey time is longer, at 10h 43m.

The distance between San Francisco and Washington, D.C. is approximately 3922 kilometers. This classifies the route as a medium-haul flight, meaning it is a significant distance that typically involves several hours of travel.

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

Regular price: $336 - $508

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

The regular price range for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. is typically between $336 and $508. The current lowest deal is $188 with Frontier Airlines for travel from Aug 24-Aug 31.

now $188

Low $336

High $508

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

The cheapest month to fly from SFO to WAS is October, with a median price of $231. The most expensive month is June, with a median price of $467. Prices are generally lower from January to December.

October

Cheapest

Flights from $231

June

Most Expensive

Flights from $467

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

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

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Southwest Airlines

United Airlines

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

Mon, Aug 10

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Washington, D.C.

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

Frontier Airlines

$803

$460

One-way

Mon, Aug 10

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Washington, D.C.

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

Frontier Airlines

$808

$465

One-way

Mon, Aug 10

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Washington, D.C.

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

Frontier Airlines

$832

$478

One-way

Mon, Aug 10

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Washington, D.C.

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

Frontier Airlines

$826

$479

One-way

Tue, Aug 11

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Washington, D.C.

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

Frontier Airlines

$854

$464

One-way

Tue, Aug 11

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Washington, D.C.

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

Frontier Airlines

$857

$465

One-way

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

2 nights

Aug 14 - Aug 16

$1,042 → $469

55%

2 nights

Aug 13 - Aug 15

$1,042 → $478

54%

3 nights

Aug 12 - Aug 15

$1,018 → $462

55%

4 nights

Aug 14 - Aug 18

$1,012 → $465

54%

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

San Francisco - Washington, D.C. route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

Recent fares from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. are above the typical level.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in October for the best prices

Historically, October has the lowest median price at $231 for San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights average 5h 21m

The typical direct flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. takes 5h 21m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are more common

About 30% of recent flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. were direct.

🏆 Airline highlight

Frontier Airlines offers a recent deal

A recent deal on Frontier Airlines was found for $188 from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear frequently on this route

Deals for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. appear frequently.

San Francisco main airports to depart from

San Francisco International (SFO)

Cheapest

San Francisco International is a convenient departure airport for flights to Washington, D.C.

📍 ~18 km from San Francisco (reachable by car or train).

💸 Flights from ~$171

Washington, D.C. main airports to arrive at

Washington Dulles International (IAD)

Cheapest

Washington Dulles International Airport is a good option for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

📍 ~36 km from Washington, D.C. (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$171

Airports nearby Washington, D.C. used as alternative

Philadelphia International (PHL)

Philadelphia International offers an extensive network and carrier competition, often resulting in lower fares.

📍 ~225 km from Washington, D.C. (reachable by car or Amtrak).

💸 Flights from ~$232

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Washington, D.C.

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

Elite

Best Elite deals to Washington, D.C.

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

From SFO

Elite

Aug 24

Washington, D.C., United States

92% AI deal score

$2,102

$1,184

Save $918

United Airlines

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Sep 05

Washington, D.C., United States

91% AI deal score

$2,024

$1,163

Save $861

United Airlines

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Dec 30

Washington, D.C., United States

91% AI deal score

$2,042

$1,179

Save $863

United Airlines

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Dec 29

Washington, D.C., United States

91% AI deal score

$2,042

$1,179

Save $863

United Airlines

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Aug 25

Washington, D.C., United States

91% AI deal score

$2,035

$1,179

Save $856

United Airlines

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Dec 02

Washington, D.C., United States

91% AI deal score

$1,929

$1,189

Save $740

United Airlines

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Dec 07

Washington, D.C., United States

91% AI deal score

$1,933

$1,189

Save $744

United Airlines

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Aug 29

Washington, D.C., United States

90% AI deal score

$1,752

$1,173

Save $579

United Airlines

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Aug 24

Washington, D.C., United States

90% AI deal score

$1,829

$1,179

Save $650

United Airlines

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Nov 07

Washington, D.C., United States

90% AI deal score

$1,947

$1,179

Save $768

United Airlines

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Nov 02

Washington, D.C., United States

90% AI deal score

$1,942

$1,179

Save $763

United Airlines

Business Class

From SFO

Elite

Nov 03

Washington, D.C., United States

90% AI deal score

$1,942

$1,179

Save $763

United Airlines

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Washington, D.C.

Historically, the optimal booking window for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. is typically 7-13 days before departure. During this period, the average price observed was $361. Booking 60+ days out also showed an average price of $361. Prices tend to be significantly higher for very last-minute bookings, with flights purchased 0-6 days before departure averaging around $691.

Across the trailing quarter, a good price for a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. was considered to be $236 or less. The median price for this route during the same period was $369. For travelers seeking to stay within a budget, aiming for prices at or below the $236 threshold is advisable, as 75% of prices observed were above this amount.

Historically, the cheapest months to fly from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. include March, April, and February. In March, the median price was $226, while April and February both saw median prices of $229. These prices are notably lower than the annual median price for this route, which stands at $369. Planning your travel during these months could lead to potential savings.

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More routes from San Francisco

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Flights to Washington, D.C. from other cities

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San Francisco to Washington, D.C.: Overview

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

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

Regular price: $336 - $508

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

The regular price range for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. is typically between $336 and $508. The current lowest deal is $188 with Frontier Airlines for travel from Aug 24-Aug 31.

now $188

Low $336

High $508

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

The cheapest month to fly from SFO to WAS is October, with a median price of $231. The most expensive month is June, with a median price of $467. Prices are generally lower from January to December.

October

Cheapest

Flights from $231

June

Most Expensive

Flights from $467

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

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

Alaska Airlines, Inc.

Southwest Airlines

United Airlines

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

Mon, Aug 10

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Washington, D.C.

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

Frontier Airlines

$803

$460

One-way

Mon, Aug 10

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Washington, D.C.

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

Frontier Airlines

$808

$465

One-way

Mon, Aug 10

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Washington, D.C.

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

Frontier Airlines

$832

$478

One-way

Mon, Aug 10

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Washington, D.C.

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

Frontier Airlines

$826

$479

One-way

Tue, Aug 11

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Washington, D.C.

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

Frontier Airlines

$854

$464

One-way

Tue, Aug 11

⌛ Last-Minute

SFO - Washington, D.C.

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

Frontier Airlines

$857

$465

One-way

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

2 nights

Aug 14 - Aug 16

$1,042 → $469

55%

2 nights

Aug 13 - Aug 15

$1,042 → $478

54%

3 nights

Aug 12 - Aug 15

$1,018 → $462

55%

4 nights

Aug 14 - Aug 18

$1,012 → $465

54%

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

San Francisco - Washington, D.C. route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

Recent fares from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. are above the typical level.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in October for the best prices

Historically, October has the lowest median price at $231 for San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights average 5h 21m

The typical direct flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. takes 5h 21m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

Connecting flights are more common

About 30% of recent flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. were direct.

🏆 Airline highlight

Frontier Airlines offers a recent deal

A recent deal on Frontier Airlines was found for $188 from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear frequently on this route

Deals for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. appear frequently.

San Francisco main airports to depart from

San Francisco International (SFO)

Cheapest

San Francisco International is a convenient departure airport for flights to Washington, D.C.

📍 ~18 km from San Francisco (reachable by car or train).

💸 Flights from ~$171

Washington, D.C. main airports to arrive at

Washington Dulles International (IAD)

Cheapest

Washington Dulles International Airport is a good option for flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.

📍 ~36 km from Washington, D.C. (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$171

Airports nearby Washington, D.C. used as alternative

Philadelphia International (PHL)

Philadelphia International offers an extensive network and carrier competition, often resulting in lower fares.

Washington, D.C., United States

90% AI deal score

$1,942

$1,179

Save $763

United Airlines

Business Class

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Washington, D.C.

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

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

San Francisco to Washington, D.C.: Overview

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

San Francisco - Washington, D.C. route insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

Fly in October for the best prices

Direct flights average 5h 21m

Connecting flights are more common

Frontier Airlines offers a recent deal

Deals appear frequently on this route

San Francisco main airports to depart from

Washington, D.C. main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby Washington, D.C. used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Washington, D.C.

Best Elite deals to Washington, D.C.

Aug 24

Sep 05

Dec 30

Dec 29

Aug 25

Dec 02

Dec 07

Aug 29

Aug 24

Nov 07

Nov 02

Nov 03

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Washington, D.C.

When should I buy San Francisco to Washington, D.C. tickets?

How much should a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. cost?

Which months have the cheapest flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Are there direct flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

What's the flight time from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Are there frequently good prices on flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?

Related routes

More routes from San Francisco

Flights to Washington, D.C. from other cities

San Francisco to Washington, D.C.: Overview

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

San Francisco - Washington, D.C. route insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

Fly in October for the best prices

Direct flights average 5h 21m

Connecting flights are more common

Frontier Airlines offers a recent deal

Deals appear frequently on this route

San Francisco main airports to depart from

Washington, D.C. main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby Washington, D.C. used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Washington, D.C.

Best Elite deals to Washington, D.C.

Aug 24

Sep 05

Dec 30

Dec 29

Aug 25

Dec 02

Dec 07

Aug 29

Aug 24

Nov 07

Nov 02

Nov 03

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Washington, D.C.

When should I buy San Francisco to Washington, D.C. tickets?

How much should a flight from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. cost?

Which months have the cheapest flights from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.?