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

Flights overview

Useful information for finding cheap flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco and booking your next trip
Cheapest round-trip flights$165
Frontier1 stop14 hrThu, Jan 22 — Wed, Jan 28
The cheapest round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is currently $165
Cheapest one-way flight$74
Frontier1 stop9 hrSat, Jan 24
The cheapest one-way flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is currently $74
Cheapest nonstop flights$257
AlaskaNonstop7 hrSat, Jan 17 — Sat, Jan 24
The cheapest nonstop round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is currently $257
Last-minute weekend getaway$443
Frontier1 stop11 hrFri, Dec 26 — Mon, Dec 29
The cheapest last-minute weekend getaway from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is currently $443
Cheapest business class flights$1,017
Delta1 stop9 hrSat, Jan 24 — Sat, Jan 31
The cheapest business class round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is currently $1,017
Fastest flight5 hr 58 minThe fastest nonstop flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco takes 5 hr 58 min
Nonstop flightsEvery dayThere are direct flights on this route every day.

When is the cheapest time to fly?

The cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is typically January. The most expensive month to fly is typically July.
January
Cheapest
Typical prices: $145–325
July
Most expensive
Typical prices: $265–335

Popular airlines from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

  • United
    Nonstop
    from $257
    Typical price: $275–510
    76 weekly nonstop flights
    BWI, DCA, IAD - SFOEvery day
    2188 weekly connecting flights
    BWI, DCA, IAD - SFOEvery day
  • Southwest
    Nonstop
    from $277
    Typical price: $315–640
    7 weekly nonstop flights
    BWI - SFOEvery day
    858 weekly connecting flights
    BWI, DCA, IAD - SFOEvery day
  • Delta
    from $245
    Typical price: $305–730
    736 weekly connecting flights
    BWI, DCA, IAD - SFOEvery day
  • American
    from $276
    Typical price: $295–570
    641 weekly connecting flights
    BWI, DCA, IAD - SFOEvery day
  • Alaska
    Nonstop
    from $257
    Typical price: $310–690
    7 weekly nonstop flights
    DCA - SFOEvery day
    154 weekly connecting flights
    BWI, DCA, IAD - SFOEvery day
  • Frontier
    from $165
    Typical price: $185–440
    68 weekly connecting flights
    BWI, DCA, IAD - SFOEvery day

Popular airports near Washington, D.C.

  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
    WashingtonUnited States17 min4 mi
  • Dulles International Airport (IAD)
    WashingtonUnited States53 min22 mi
  • Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) (BWI)
    BaltimoreUnited States49 min27 mi
  • Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
    PhiladelphiaUnited States2 hr 22 min116 mi

Popular airports near San Francisco

  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
    San FranciscoUnited States19 min11 mi
  • Oakland International Airport (OAK)
    OaklandUnited States27 min11 mi
  • Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
    SacramentoUnited States1 hr 34 min78 mi
  • San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)
    San JoseUnited States51 min39 mi

Frequently asked questions about flying from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco

The cheapest flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco are usually in January. Typical ticket prices in January range from $145 to $325.
The cheapest round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco recently found on Google Flights was with Frontier from $165. The cheapest one-way flight was with Frontier from $74.

Some of the cheapest round-trip deals we found with different airlines:
  • The cheapest United flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is $257, flying from Jan 17 to Jan 24.
  • The cheapest Southwest flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is $277, flying from Jan 24 to Jan 31.
  • The cheapest Delta flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is $245, flying from Jan 22 to Jan 28.
  • The cheapest American flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is $276, flying from Jan 24 to Jan 31.
  • The cheapest Alaska flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is $257, flying from Jan 24 to Jan 31.
  • The cheapest Frontier flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is $165, flying from Feb 26 to Mar 4.
The cheapest round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco starts at $165 from Thu, Jan 22 to Wed, Jan 28. The cheapest one-way flight starts at $74 and departs on Sat, Jan 24.
5 hr 58 min is the shortest flight time from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.
Apr–Dec is when most people visit San Francisco, with crowds peaking in summer. Although average temperatures are higher then, mornings and evenings often have damp, chilly fog. In summer, street fairs and cultural institutions offer free outdoor entertainment. Winter visitors will find the opera and ballet seasons in full swing. Major annual events include Chinese New Year (Feb), Bay to Breakers footrace (May), San Francisco Pride parade and festival (Jun), and San Francisco Fleet Week (Oct).
It's easy to use Google Flights to find the cheapest days to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.
Just click the Departure label near the top of the page to open the calendar. Choose a start date and a return date to see how the round-trip fare changes on those specific days.
Adjust the trip type to see one-way fares. The cheapest available flights are highlighted and easy to spot. Once you settle on dates, click the Search button to see flight options and book the deal.

You can also turn on price tracking to get alerts if the price changes for a route or flight.
What counts as the best airline for your flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco really depends on your individual needs. You may have a favorite carrier or a loyalty program you like, but price, convenience, and airports served also come into play. Flexibility and booking terms – Can you change flights if you want to stay longer or get a refund if you have to postpone your trip? – are also factors that help determine which airline is best to fly from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.

In terms of nonstop flights, United is the most popular. United offers 76 nonstop flights and 2,188 connecting flights per week. United flies from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) (BWI), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Dulles International Airport (IAD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Other popular airlines flying from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco are:
  • Southwest offers 7 nonstop flights and 858 connecting flights per week. Southwest flies from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) (BWI), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Dulles International Airport (IAD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
  • Delta offers 736 connecting flights per week. Delta flies from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) (BWI), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Dulles International Airport (IAD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
  • American offers 641 connecting flights per week. American flies from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) (BWI), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Dulles International Airport (IAD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
  • Alaska offers 7 nonstop flights and 154 connecting flights per week. Alaska flies from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) (BWI), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Dulles International Airport (IAD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
  • Frontier offers 68 connecting flights per week. Frontier flies from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) (BWI), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Dulles International Airport (IAD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
The number of connecting flights refers to distinct flights with at least one stop between Washington, D.C. and San Francisco.
The cheapest round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco recently found on Google Flights was with Frontier from $165. The cheapest one-way flight was with Frontier from $74.

Some of the cheapest round-trip deals we found with different airlines:
  • The cheapest United flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is $257, flying from Jan 17 to Jan 24.
  • The cheapest Southwest flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is $277, flying from Jan 24 to Jan 31.
  • The cheapest Delta flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is $245, flying from Jan 22 to Jan 28.
  • The cheapest American flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is $276, flying from Jan 24 to Jan 31.
  • The cheapest Alaska flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is $257, flying from Jan 24 to Jan 31.
  • The cheapest Frontier flight from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco is $165, flying from Feb 26 to Mar 4.
United, Southwest and Alaska fly direct from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.
  • There are 76 United direct flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
  • There are 7 Southwest direct flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
  • There are 7 Alaska direct flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
Use the Stops filter while searching for flights, to see only nonstop options in your results.
The cheapest last-minute deal between Washington, D.C. and San Francisco at price $443 is offered by Frontier from Fri, Dec 26 to Mon, Dec 29.
United, Southwest and Alaska fly direct from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.
  • There are 76 United direct flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
  • There are 7 Southwest direct flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
  • There are 7 Alaska direct flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco per week. Flights are available every day.
Use the Stops filter while searching for flights, to see only nonstop options in your results.
There are direct flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco on a daily basis.
The cheapest direct (nonstop) round-trip flights between Washington, D.C. and San Francisco start at $257 from Sat, Jan 17 to Sat, Jan 24 with Alaska.
It's easy to find nonstop flights with Google Flights! Once you've searched for flights from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, just select the nonstop flights only option in the 'Stops’ filter in the search form and view all available direct flights and their prices.
The cheapest business class round-trip flights between Washington, D.C. and San Francisco start at $1,017 from Sat, Jan 24 to Sat, Jan 31 with Delta.
The cheapest economy class round-trip flights between Washington, D.C. and San Francisco start at $165 from Thu, Jan 22 to Wed, Jan 28.
To book business class trips from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, look for the default Economy selection at the top, and change it to your desired cabin class such as Premium Economy, Business Class, or First Class. You can then select your departure and arrival dates, consider available options, and book your business travel.

You can also adjust the trip type to view one-way fares.
The best last-minute getaway deal for the next weekend between Washington, D.C. and San Francisco starts at $443 from Fri, Dec 26 to Mon, Dec 29 with Frontier.
The cheapest last-minute deal between Washington, D.C. and San Francisco at price $443 is offered by Frontier from Fri, Dec 26 to Mon, Dec 29.
To find last-minute flight deals from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco, start by entering the city names, select the desired departure and return dates, and hit the Search button to view flight options.

You can check for last-minute flights for the same day or adjust the trip type to see one-way fares.

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