Travelling from Los Angeles to Washington DC: what you need to know
Kick off your travels at one of Los Angeles's main airports, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Van Nuys Airport (VNY). Explore your options for booking a flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC taking off from either of these.
When it comes to arriving in Washington DC, Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is a major gateway. Another is Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
A direct flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC takes an average of 4 hours 59 minutes. The timezone in Washington DC is UTC-4, which makes it 3 hours ahead of Los Angeles.
The most popular route for flights from Los Angeles to Washington DC is from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Choose from 64 services every week between these two airports. If you want to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from LAX to IAD is the 08:05 Alaska Airlines option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final departure is at 23:50 with United Airlines.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This way, you'll have plenty of time to catch your flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC.
If you're jetting off during a bank holiday or other peak period, allow extra time. A good general rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at security and check-in will be longer.
For a domestic flight within United States, you won't need a visa or even a passport. However, you'll have to present some kind of identification, such as an ID card or driver's licence. Once you've booked cheap flights from Los Angeles to Washington DC, make sure your ID is up to date.
Flying from Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Take off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on a direct flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC. These Washington DC airports connect nonstop to LAX:
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Direct flights from Los Angeles to Washington DC are available from a good range of airlines at LAX. Book your seat with any of these:
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your journey — and perhaps even tour another city. When browsing flights from Los Angeles to Washington DC departing from Los Angeles International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) Airport (LAS)
Located around 32 kilometres from central Los Angeles, LAX can be reached in about 32 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The same journey by public transport is roughly 54 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by picking one of these stays close to Los Angeles International Airport:
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Split up your flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC with a stop so you can recharge or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Top stopovers between Los Angeles International Airport and Washington DC are:
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) Airport (LAS)
VNY is around 32 kilometres from central Los Angeles. It'll take 34 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes approximately 1 hour and 41 minutes.
You're going on holiday, so why not book an extra night away from home? Consider checking in to one of these accommodation options near Van Nuys Airport the day before your flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC:
Arriving in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is around 8 kilometres from the centre of Washington DC. With a cab or in your own car rental, the drive is around 16 minutes.
Getting to the centre on public transport takes about 43 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these accommodation options near DCA:
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
The centre of Washington DC is approximately 56 kilometres from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). As soon as your flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 51 minutes.
You can also travel by public transport, which will take roughly 3 hours and 26 minutes.
There are some comfortable hotels to park your luggage (and yourself) near IAD. Kick back after your flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC at any of these perfectly located options:
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to Washington DC
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Los Angeles to Washington DC is ج.م. 2,458. For a return flight on this route, the best price is ج.م. 5,328. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.
To score cheap tickets from Los Angeles to Washington DC, reserve your journey 11 months before the departure date.
The cheapest month for flight tickets from Los Angeles to Washington DC is July. You can easily compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the best deal.
Locking in a cheap ticket from Los Angeles to Washington DC is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Play around with filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Los Angeles to Washington DC, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter by airline, arrival and departure times, and journey duration.
Best time to go to Washington DC
May is the quietest month for flights from Los Angeles to Washington DC, while July is the busiest. Figure out the ideal time to go to Washington DC based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in Washington DC is July, with the temperature ranging between 19ºC and 33ºC. Lock in your flights from Los Angeles to Washington DC in this month if this is the kind of weather you like.
Look for cheap tickets from Los Angeles to Washington DC in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between -6ºC and 10ºC on average.
More about Washington DC
Start your Washington DC trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. After booking your flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC, browse our selection of hotels including:
White House Historical Association and The White House are just the start of the major attractions to put on your Washington DC travel itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at National Mall.
Complete your Washington DC trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC to track down incredible deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus you'll find all the info you need to drive in Washington DC, from the most popular rental company to the best time to book.
