$80 Cheap Flights from San Diego (SAN) to Washington (DCA)

View $80 flight on Tue, Aug 5, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

  • Plan, book, fly with confidence

  • trending down icon

    Be in the know

    Get alerts if flight prices drop or rise*
  • bex rewards loyalty icon

    Book smarter

    Save up to 30% on select hotels after you book a flight*
  • one key icon

    Earn twice

    Earn your airline miles on top of our OneKeyCash
    Learn about One Key

Cheap Flights from San Diego to Washington (SAN-DCA)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $80 for one-way flights and $145 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Southwest Airlines
Tue, Sep 16 - Tue, Sep 30
SAN
San Diego
DCA
Washington
$145 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$145
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Tue, Sep 16 from San Diego to Washington, returning Tue, Sep 30, priced at $145 found 1 day ago
Southwest Airlines
Tue, Sep 16 - Tue, Sep 30
SAN
San Diego
DCA
Washington
$149 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$149
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Tue, Sep 16 from San Diego to Washington, returning Tue, Sep 30, priced at $149 found 1 day ago
Southwest Airlines
Tue, Sep 16 - Tue, Sep 30
SAN
San Diego
DCA
Washington
$154 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$154
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Tue, Sep 16 from San Diego to Washington, returning Tue, Sep 30, priced at $154 found 1 day ago
American Airlines
Sat, Oct 18 - Sat, Oct 25
CLD
Carlsbad
DCA
Washington
$159 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$159
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Sat, Oct 18 from Carlsbad to Washington, returning Sat, Oct 25, priced at $159 found 1 day ago
American Airlines
Thu, Aug 7 - Sat, Aug 9
SAN
San Diego
DCA
Washington
$159 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$159
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Thu, Aug 7 from San Diego to Washington, returning Sat, Aug 9, priced at $159 found 1 day ago
Southwest Airlines
Mon, Aug 25 - Wed, Aug 27
SAN
San Diego
DCA
Washington
$159 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$159
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Mon, Aug 25 from San Diego to Washington, returning Wed, Aug 27, priced at $159 found 1 day ago
Southwest Airlines
Tue, Sep 16 - Tue, Sep 30
SAN
San Diego
DCA
Washington
$161 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$161
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Tue, Sep 16 from San Diego to Washington, returning Tue, Sep 30, priced at $161 found 1 day ago
Alaska Airlines
Sat, Nov 8 - Wed, Nov 12
SAN
San Diego
DCA
Washington
$237 Roundtrip, found 1 hour ago
$237
Roundtrip
found 1 hour ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Sat, Nov 8 from San Diego to Washington, returning Wed, Nov 12, priced at $237 found 1 hour ago
United
Sat, Aug 16 - Wed, Aug 20
SAN
San Diego
DCA
Washington
$257 Roundtrip, found 2 hours ago
$257
Roundtrip
found 2 hours ago
Select United flight, departing Sat, Aug 16 from San Diego to Washington, returning Wed, Aug 20, priced at $257 found 2 hours ago
JetBlue Airways
Wed, Oct 22 - Mon, Oct 27
SAN
San Diego
DCA
Washington
$267 Roundtrip, just found
$267
Roundtrip
just found
Select JetBlue Airways flight, departing Wed, Oct 22 from San Diego to Washington, returning Mon, Oct 27, priced at $267 just found

Find the cheapest month to fly from San Diego (SAN) to Washington (DCA)

January is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $138 - $368 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Flights from San Diego (SAN) to Washington (DCA)
Origin airport
San Diego Intl.
Destination airport
Ronald Reagan Washington National
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$144
Distance
2271 mi
Average flight time
9 hours 54 mins

San Diego to Washington Flights

The cheapest times to fly from San Diego to Washington

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from San Diego to Washington are during the month of September. You can find some of the cheapest flights from San Diego to Washington with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from San Diego to Washington

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from San Diego to Washington: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from San Diego to Washington

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from San Diego to Washington in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $80 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap San Diego to Washington flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your San Diego to Washington airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) cost?
You can score cheap return flights from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) starting from $233. Book a seat and get ready to go. This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a Alaska Airlines flight leaving SAN on August 1 2025 and touching down at DCA. The price was last updated on July 8 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from SAN to DCA?
The cheapest flights from SAN to DCA are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from SAN to DCA?
Journey from SAN to DCA with Alaska Airlines. This airline currently offers the cheapest one-way ticket for this route, starting from $137. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from SAN on September 2 2025. Prices were last updated on July 8 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
Direct flights from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) aren't available daily, so you'll have to take a flight with a layover. Explore your options with Expedia's filters. Enter your travel details and choose either "1 Stop" or "2+ Stops."
What day of the week has the most flights from SAN to DCA?
You'll typically find Tuesday the quietest day for flights, while Fridays are often the busiest.* However this can vary from season to season and during public holidays or peak travel times.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
To avoid potential delays on the San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) route, aim to travel before 3 PM. Later flights have a 22% higher chance of being canceled.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for Washington from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)?
Hop on a direct flight from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Washington and land at Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD). An alternative point of entry into the city is Baltimore Washington Intl. Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) last-minute?
Waiting until right before your break to book a flight from SAN to DCA generally means paying more. While you might find some last-minute deals, they aren't always guaranteed. Allow some flexibility in your schedule for a better chance of scoring a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a SAN to DCA flight and hotel package?
Booking a SAN to DCA flight and hotel package is usually cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the ease of organizing your travels in one place. Select from our impressive range of accommodations and then add car rentals, activities and flights to your booking. Bundle it all together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)?
It's generally possible to cancel or reschedule your SAN to DCA flight. However, if it's been more than 24 hours since booking, additional fees may apply. Refer to your airline's policies in your itinerary to see what changes are allowed and whether any costs are involved. You'll also find more details on our Customer Service portal.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

*Available to One Key members.