Flying from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Los Angeles: what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from Ronald Reagan National Airport to Los Angeles is 5 hours 5 minutes.
Los Angeles is three hours behind Washington DC, where Ronald Reagan National Airport is located. Los Angeles follows the UTC-7 timezone.
The busiest route is from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Choose from 27 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from DCA to LAX is the 08:01 American Airlines option. If you prefer travelling later, the final departure is at 17:35 with American Airlines.
Leave enough time to catch your DCA to Los Angeles flight. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Delays at check-in and security are more likely if you're heading away during high season, so give yourself some extra breathing space. A good rule of thumb for peak periods? Get there up to four hours ahead for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
Start your trip at DCA and fly straight to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). That's where you can expect to touch down when searching for Ronald Reagan National Airport to Los Angeles tickets.
Leading carriers that offer direct flights from Ronald Reagan National Airport to Los Angeles include:
Located around 6 kilometres from central Washington DC, DCA can be reached in about 15 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 45 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Ronald Reagan National Airport to Los Angeles? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these stays near DCA:
76.44% of flights departing from Ronald Reagan National Airport reach their destination on schedule.
You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.
How to find the cheapest flights from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Los Angeles
ر.ق. 313 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Ronald Reagan National Airport to Los Angeles flight. A round-trip ticket right now is ر.ق. 627. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
Get cheap flights from DCA to Los Angeles by booking four months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
Organise your trip for August. That's the best month for landing an awesome deal on Ronald Reagan National Airport to Los Angeles tickets. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to access the lowest price across each month.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from DCA to Los Angeles by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Ronald Reagan National Airport to Los Angeles.
Airports in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles takes around 30 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 32 kilometres away.
It takes around 55 minutes to get there by public transport.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Ronald Reagan National Airport to Los Angeles, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these hotels near LAX:
Grab a Los Angeles International Airport rental car and explore Los Angeles and beyond with your own wheels. Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz are popular outlets to choose from here.
Lock in the best rate by booking your ride from Los Angeles International Airport about one week before your flight from DCA to Los Angeles.
LAX is located at One World Way.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Van Nuys Airport (VNY) is roughly 32 kilometres from central Los Angeles. After your flight from Ronald Reagan National Airport to Los Angeles, it'll take you around 35 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
You can expect the trip to take about 1 hour 40 minutes on public transport.
After stepping off your DCA to Los Angeles flight, tuck yourself in at a hotel near VNY. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Budget, Dollar and Hertz make collecting a Van Nuys Airport rental car easy and quick. These companies are located in or around the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Usually, the sooner you book, the better the deals and selection of vehicles. Reserve your ride from VNY as soon as your plans are confirmed.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
Before booking your flights from Ronald Reagan National Airport to Los Angeles, consider which time of year is best for you. Peak season in Los Angeles offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while the off-season brings cheaper deals on hotels and fewer crowds.
The warmest month in Los Angeles is August, with temperatures ranging between 16ºC and 32ºC. Book your Ronald Reagan National Airport to Los Angeles flight ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
February sees average temperatures of between 6ºC and 26ºC. Look for a cheap ticket from DCA to Los Angeles around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Los Angeles
Start your Los Angeles trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Ronald Reagan National Airport to Los Angeles, check out our selection of hotels including:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. The Broad, Griffith Observatory and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum are essential stops on your Los Angeles itinerary.
Explore more of United States
San Diego is just one of the many cities in United States waiting to be discovered after you've seen Los Angeles. Around 177 kilometres away to the south-east, popular attractions include San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego.
San Jose is another standout destination in United States and is around 499 kilometres north-west of Los Angeles. No journey is complete without seeing Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art.