Travelling from Sacramento to Washington DC: what you need to know
Begin planning your trip by checking out the ideal departure point for your flight from Sacramento to Washington DC. Explore the options for setting off from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) or Stockton Airport (SCK), two of the city's main airports.
When it comes to landing in Washington DC, Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is a key hub. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is another.
Around 5 hours is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct Sacramento to Washington DC flight.
The timezone in Washington DC is UTC-4, which is three hours ahead of Sacramento.
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is the most traveled route that connects these two cities. There are seven weekly flights to choose from. If you prefer a later start to the day, the last flight from Sacramento to Washington DC is with United Airlines at 22:50. Choose the first SMF to IAD departure with United Airlines at 07:19 to maximise your time in Washington DC.
To ensure you don't miss your Sacramento to Washington DC flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
If you're flying during a popular month like August, head to the airport even earlier. You'll want to arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours ahead of domestic departures. Security lines will be longer during high seasons like Christmas and New Year.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sacramento to Washington DC
At the moment, ر.ق. 339 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 ر.ق. 702. 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)
Set out from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) and fly straight through to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) or Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). If you're searching for a direct flight from Sacramento to Washington DC out of SMF, those are your landing options.
You'll have your choice of airlines that offer direct Sacramento to Washington DC plane tickets out of SMF. Book your seat with one of these:
The journey from central Sacramento to SMF takes around 25 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 14 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Get your flight from Sacramento to Washington DC off to a hassle-free start. Just a quick drive from Sacramento International Airport, book a night at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sacramento Airport Natomas and you'll be well-rested for the trip ahead.
82.15% of flights leaving Sacramento International Airport reach their destination as planned. With its solid on-time performance, you're unlikely to be delayed when taking off from SMF.
SMF is located at 6900 Airport Boulevard.
Arriving in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to central Washington DC takes around 15 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 6 kilometres away.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 45 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel close to DCA if you're coming in on a late flight from Sacramento to Washington DC. Settle into one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Explore without limits with a Ronald Reagan National Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Thrifty, Sixt or Dollar and see more of Washington DC and beyond.
To lock in the lowest price, reserve your ride from Ronald Reagan National Airport about four weeks ahead of your Sacramento to Washington DC flight.
The address for DCA is 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
As soon as your flight from Sacramento to Washington DC has hit the tarmac, 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 around 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:
Dollar, Thrifty and Sixt make picking up a Washington Dulles International Airport rental car simple. These companies are located around or in the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Get the pick of the lot. Reserving your ride from IAD one week ahead of time often means better deals and a wider range of vehicles.
The address for Washington Dulles International Airport is 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Hop off your flight from Sacramento to Washington DC and head directly to your hotel or jump right into sightseeing. Central Washington DC is around 40 kilometres from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and takes roughly 50 minutes to reach driving.
The journey will take you around 1 hour 30 minutes if you use public transport.
If you don't want to make the journey into the centre, choose a hotel near BWI. Make yourself comfy at one of these options after your Sacramento to Washington DC flight:
Put yourself in the driver's seat of the next leg of your trip with a Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport rental car. Dollar, Thrifty and Budget are dependable companies for booking.
Plan ahead and pocket the savings. Book your ride from BWI two weeks before your flight from Sacramento to Washington DC to access 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
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in Washington DC right here. Browse these hotels once you've locked in your flight from Sacramento to Washington DC:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. White House Historical Association, The White House and National Mall are must-do's during your Washington DC adventure.
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.