Travelling from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Jump on a direct flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles and you'll be in the air for an average of 4 hours 55 minutes.
Washington Dulles International Airport is located in Washington DC. Based in the UTC-7 timezone, Los Angeles is three hours behind Washington DC.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the most popular route, with 52 departures a week to choose from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from IAD to LAX is with United Airlines at 22:16. Choose the first departure with United Airlines at 06:00 if you want to fly out earlier.
To avoid missing your IAD to Los Angeles flight, leave enough time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Delays at check-in and security are likely if you're heading away during high season, so allow some extra breathing room. A good rule of thumb for peak times? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and two hours for domestic departures.
You can book a direct Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles ticket. Begin your journey at IAD and land at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Pick from a variety of carriers offering direct flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles. Reserve your trip with one of these:
Located around 40 kilometres from the centre of Washington DC, IAD can be reached in about 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Looking for a hotel close to IAD? If you're catching an early flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles, these accommodation options will get you from your pillow to the plane in no time:
74.39% of flights that leave from Washington Dulles International Airport land at their destination on schedule.
The address for IAD is 1 Saarinen Circle.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Los Angeles
$119 is currently the best price for a one-way Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles flight. A return flight ticket starts at $222. These prices can change based on demand and availability.
Get cheap flights from IAD to Los Angeles by booking two months ahead. According to our research, that's the best time for bagging a bargain.
Plan your trip for June. That's the best month for scoring an awesome deal on Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles tickets. If your travel dates are flexible, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
Snapping up a cheap flight from IAD to Los Angeles is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll notify you when there's a better deal.
Find a cheap flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles with the help of our filters. Select your preferred duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is around 32 kilometres from central Los Angeles. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take roughly 30 minutes.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of about 55 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these accommodation options near LAX:
Go where the road takes you with a Los Angeles International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and see more of Los Angeles and beyond.
Reserving your ride from Los Angeles International Airport about one week ahead of your flight from IAD to Los Angeles can help you lock in the best possible rate.
The street address for LAX is One World Way.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Once your flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles has touched down, you can get to the city centre in around 35 minutes by car. Central Los Angeles is roughly 32 kilometres from Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre will take you 1 hour 40 minutes or so.
Following your IAD to Los Angeles flight, rest your head at a hotel near VNY. These are some comfortable options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a Van Nuys Airport rental car. Collect a set of wheels from Budget, Dollar or Hertz and set off in the blink of an eye.
Avoid filling out paperwork at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Reserve your ride from VNY in advance so you can just grab the keys and go.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
Before you book your flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles, consider which time of year is best for you. High season in Los Angeles offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of activities, while the low season brings cheaper deals on hotels and fewer crowds.
Book a Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles flight ticket with a departure in August to experience the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 16ºC (61ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from IAD to Los Angeles in February when temperatures average between 6ºC (43ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF).
More about Los Angeles
After booking your flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Los Angeles, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Los Angeles:
The Broad and Griffith Observatory are just two of the leading attractions to add to your Los Angeles itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.
Explore more of United States
Los Angeles will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of United States just waiting to be discovered. About 177 kilometres south-east of Los Angeles, a visit to San Diego will keep your itinerary packed. Check out popular attractions like San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego.
If you're ready to explore another well-known destination in United States, consider San Jose, roughly 499 kilometres north-west of Los Angeles. Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art are among the biggest draws.