United States

How to get from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
2h 57min
💶
From
178€
📍
Distance
3692 km
Powered by 12Go system
⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles: Flight, about 2h 57min – 3h 50min, from €178. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 6, 2026): Frontier Airlines, Alaska Airlines; main departure point: Washington Dulles Airport.

Distance: 3692 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Flight
2h 57min – 3h 50min
178 – 349 €
View
🚌 Departure from Washington, D.C.
📍Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the closest airport to downtown, but flights may also leave from Dulles (IAD) or Baltimore/Washington (BWI). Always check the airport code and terminal on your e-ticket before travelling.
🚇Reagan National has its own Metro station, making it the easiest to reach from downtown. Dulles is served by the Metro Silver Line, while Baltimore/Washington is reachable by train and shuttle. Taxis and rideshares are available at all three.
⏰Flights to Los Angeles operate throughout the day, with frequency varying by airline and airport. Early morning and afternoon departures are common; check exact times in the table and on your booking.
💸 Transport from 178€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 2h 57min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 6, 2026 for a departure on November 27, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Frontier Airlines Flight Washington Dulles Airport €178 5
Alaska Airlines Flight Ronald Reagan Washington Airport €410 1
📶 Stay connected the moment you land

Activate an eSIM before you go: internet the moment you land, no SIM to swap, zero roaming fees.

Yesim · eSIM partner

Practical tips

💡
Fly rather than lose days on the road

With the whole country between Washington and Los Angeles, the plane is the realistic choice for most independent travellers. Use the comparison table on this page to check durations and fares before booking, so you spend your time in California rather than in transit.

💡
Check the departure airport on your ticket

The Washington area has several airports, including Reagan National, Dulles and Baltimore/Washington. They are in different directions from downtown, so confirm the airport code on your e-ticket before heading out, to avoid going to the wrong one.

💡
Know your arrival terminal at LAX

LAX is a large airport with several terminals arranged in a loop. Check your arrival terminal in your airline app, then plan your onward ride, whether a shuttle, rideshare or public transport, before you land so you do not wander around.

💡
Choose between nonstop and connecting flights

Nonstop flights save time and remove the risk of a missed connection, while itineraries with a stopover can be cheaper. If you pick a connection, leave a generous margin between flights, especially with checked luggage.

💡
Book early and check baggage rules

Fares tend to be better when you book ahead, and cheaper tickets often exclude checked bags. Read the baggage conditions before paying, and compare the final total rather than just the headline fare to avoid surprises at the airport.

The journey experience

Washington and Los Angeles sit on opposite sides of the country, roughly 2,300 miles apart. On a distance like this, the question is not which bus stop to pick but whether anything beats the plane. The comparison is simple here: flying is the option listed for this route, and the table on this page shows durations, price ranges and frequency side by side.

Flights link the Washington area's airports with Los Angeles International (LAX), and you can choose between nonstop and connecting itineraries depending on your budget and schedule. Flying means one boarding process, a seat where you can rest, and an arrival on the same day, so you keep your time for sightseeing instead of spending it on the road. Several major US airlines serve this corridor, so compare fares and baggage rules before you book.

Our advice: check which Washington airport your ticket departs from, since the area has more than one, and note your arrival terminal at LAX. Book ahead for better fares, leave a comfortable margin for getting to the airport, and keep your passport or ID handy. Los Angeles is spread out, so decide how you will reach your accommodation before you land.

Frequently asked questions — Washington, D.C. → Los Angeles

Why visit Los Angeles?

  • ✓ Walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame and take in the view of the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory
  • ✓ Spend a sunset on Santa Monica Pier and cycle the beachfront path to Venice Beach
  • ✓ Tour a film studio at Universal Studios Hollywood or Warner Bros. Studio
  • ✓ Explore the Getty Center for world-class art, gardens and panoramic city views
  • ✓ Browse the Grand Central Market and the street art of the Arts District in Downtown LA
🌙
Recommended stay
3 to 5 nights — distances are large, so you need time for several districts and traffic

When to visit Los Angeles?

MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE

March to May and September to November — warm sunny days, mild evenings and fewer crowds than in summer

Jan 😐
Feb 😐
Mar 😊
Apr 😊
May 😐
Jun 😐
Jul 😐
Aug 😐
Sep 😊
Oct 😊
Nov 😊
Dec 😐
📍
In Los Angeles — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Los Angeles
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Los Angeles?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🎬
Hollywood Walk of Fame & TCL Theatre
Stroll Hollywood Boulevard to see the stars and the celebrity handprints outside the TCL Chinese Theatre. Free to walk. Go early morning, before 9am, to avoid crowds and street performers. Take the Metro B Line to Hollywood/Highland rather than driving, as parking is costly (around 15€).
🌅
Griffith Observatory at Sunset
Free entry to this 1935 landmark with views of the Hollywood Sign and the city skyline. Closed Mondays. Parking is limited and fills fast, so take the DASH Observatory shuttle from Vermont/Sunset Metro station (about 0,50€). Arrive one hour before sunset for the best light.
🌊
Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach
Walk or cycle the 4 km beach path between Santa Monica Pier and Venice Boardwalk, passing Muscle Beach and the skate park. Bike rentals start around 8€ per hour. Weekday mornings are calmer. Take the Metro E Line to Downtown Santa Monica to skip the expensive beachfront parking.
🎨
The Getty Center Art and Gardens
This hilltop museum offers free admission, with European paintings, architecture by Richard Meier and a lovely Central Garden. Parking costs around 20€. Book a timed entry online in advance. Visit after 3pm for fewer visitors and golden light over the city. Closed Mondays.
🌮
Grand Central Market Food Tour
Open since 1917 in Downtown LA, this market hosts about 40 stalls: tacos, pupusas, ramen, Egg Slut sandwiches. Budget 10-15€ for a filling meal. Go at weekday lunch before noon to avoid queues. Combine with the nearby Bradbury Building and Angels Flight railway.
🏛️
Walt Disney Concert Hall and Broad
Frank Gehry's steel-clad concert hall is free to admire outside, with free self-guided audio tours inside on select days. Next door, The Broad contemporary art museum has free general admission, but reserve online or queue early. Tuesday to Sunday only.
⛰️
Hike Runyon Canyon or Griffith Trails
Runyon Canyon offers a free 5 km loop with views of the city and, on clear days, the ocean. For fewer people, take the Griffith Park trail to Mount Hollywood summit (about 5 km round trip). Bring water and start before 8am, since summer heat is strong and shade is scarce.
🌴
Abbot Kinney and Venice Canals
Away from the boardwalk crowds, the Venice Canals form a quiet residential network of footbridges and gardens, built in 1905 and inspired by Italy. Free to walk, about 30 minutes. Then browse Abbot Kinney Boulevard's independent shops and cafés. Go on weekday mornings for tranquility.

How long to visit Los Angeles?

3 to 5 days

Plan 4 to 5 days to cover the essentials: Hollywood, Santa Monica and Venice, Griffith Observatory, Getty Center and a studio tour. With 3 days, stick to two or three areas to limit time lost in traffic. Rent a car or budget for rideshares, as distances are huge, and avoid driving between 4 and 7 pm.

Related searches

flight Washington, D.C. Los Angeles how to get from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles ticket price Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles travel time Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles travel to United States

Other trips from Washington, D.C.

Book now