Flying from Sacramento to Washington DC: what you need to know
Set off on your next big adventure from one of Sacramento's main airports, Sacramento International Airport (SMF) or Stockton Airport (SCK). Check out your options for booking a flight from Sacramento to Washington DC taking off from either of these.
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) are the chief entry points to Washington DC.
The average duration of a direct Sacramento to Washington DC flight is 5 hours.
Washington DC is three hours ahead of Sacramento and observes the UTC-4 timezone.
With seven flights a week between the two airports, Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is the most popular route. Board the first flight from Sacramento to Washington DC with United Airlines at 08:00. If you prefer to make the most of your day before you fly, the latest departure from SMF to IAD is with United Airlines at 23:15.
To ensure you get on your Sacramento to Washington DC flight, leave enough time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Be prepared for longer queues in popular months like August. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sacramento to Washington DC
At the moment, ₹ 9,597 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Sacramento to Washington DC. The cheapest price for a return flight is ₹ 18,175. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book two months before you travel. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap Sacramento to Washington DC flights.
May is the best month for nabbing an incredible deal on a plane ticket from Sacramento to Washington DC. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.
Getting a cheap flight from Sacramento to Washington DC is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when the price has dropped.
Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Sacramento to Washington DC flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Sacramento
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
You can book a direct flight from Sacramento to Washington DC jetting out of Sacramento International Airport (SMF). Board your plane at SMF and then hit the runway at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
United Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct Sacramento to Washington DC plane tickets leaving from SMF.
Located around 14 kilometres from the centre of Sacramento, SMF can be reached in about 15 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 25 minutes.
Get your flight from Sacramento to Washington DC off to a leisurely start. Only a short drive from Sacramento International Airport, book a night at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sacramento Airport Natomas and be well-rested for the journey ahead.
Sacramento International Airport earns top marks for its on-time performance. 82.15% of flights that depart SMF arrive at their destination on time.
You'll find SMF at 6900 Airport Boulevard.
Arriving in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
The distance from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to central Washington DC is roughly 5 kilometres. It'll take you about 15 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Getting to the centre by public transport typically takes 45 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Sacramento to Washington DC. Reserve one of these accommodation options near DCA instead:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a Ronald Reagan National Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Thrifty, Sixt or Dollar and explore beyond Washington DC's usual tourist stops.
Secure the lowest price by reserving your ride from Ronald Reagan National Airport around four weeks before your departure date.
The address for DCA is 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Once your flight from Sacramento to Washington DC has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in about 50 minutes by car. Central Washington DC is roughly 40 kilometres from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take about 1 hour 10 minutes.
After your flight from Sacramento to Washington DC, kick back at a hotel near IAD. These are some great options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
The fastest way to reach your destination is with a Washington Dulles International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Sixt and be on your way in a flash.
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your ride from IAD one week ahead of time. You can also expect to have a wider selection of vehicles.
You can find Washington Dulles International Airport at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is around 40 kilometres from the centre of Washington DC. It takes about 50 minutes to get to the city centre in a ride-share or cab once you've stepped off your flight from Sacramento to Washington DC.
The journey will take you roughly 1 hour 30 minutes by public transport.
If you don't want to travel into the centre, choose a hotel near BWI. Settle in at one of these stays after your Sacramento to Washington DC flight:
Start your journey without stressing over how to arrive at your destination with a Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport rental car. You can book with reliable companies here like Dollar, Thrifty and Budget.
Plan ahead and enjoy the payoff. Book your vehicle from BWI two weeks before your flight from Sacramento to Washington DC for the best rates.
Best time to go to Washington DC
February is the busiest month for flights from Sacramento to Washington DC. To avoid the crowds, visit Washington DC in May.
The warmest month in Washington DC is July, with temperatures ranging between 19ºC and 33ºC. Book your Sacramento to Washington DC ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
For cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Sacramento to Washington DC in January when temperatures average between -6ºC and 10ºC.
More about Washington DC
After booking your flight from Sacramento to Washington DC, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Washington DC:
White House Historical Association and The White House are just a couple of the top attractions to add to your Washington DC travel itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at National Mall.
Explore more of United States
New York is just one of the many cities in United States waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of Washington DC. Around 322 kilometres to the north-east, popular attractions include Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Empire State Building.
Around 193 kilometres north-east of Washington DC, Philadelphia is another essential stop in United States. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Philadelphia Museum of Art.