Flying from Seattle to Washington DC: what you need to know
Seattle's main airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Check out your departure options from this terminal when reserving your flights from Seattle to Washington DC.
When it comes to touching down in Washington DC, Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is a major hub. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is another.
The average time for a direct Seattle to Washington DC flight is 5 hours 5 minutes.
Washington DC is three hours ahead of Seattle and observes the UTC-4 timezone.
With 40 flights a week between the two airports, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is the busiest route. Board the earliest flight from Seattle to Washington DC with Alaska Airlines at 07:00. If you prefer to make the most of your day before flying, the latest flight from SEA to IAD is with Alaska Airlines at 23:43.
For a relaxed travel experience, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to catch your Seattle to Washington DC flight.
If you're flying during a popular month like July, get to the airport even earlier. It's smart to arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures. Check-in and security lines are longer during peak periods like Christmas and New Year.
How to find the cheapest flights from Seattle to Washington DC
Score cheap Seattle to Washington DC flights by booking two months ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time frame for bagging a bargain.
The best month for scoring cheap plane tickets from Seattle to Washington DC is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then choose the dates with the lowest fares.
Finding a cheap flight from Seattle to Washington DC is easy with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available.
Save money on your Seattle to Washington DC flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Seattle
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Depart from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on a direct flight from Seattle to Washington DC. You can arrive at these Washington DC airports from SEA:
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Popular carriers that offer direct Seattle to Washington DC plane tickets from SEA include:
SEA is around 18 kilometres from central Seattle. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be around 55 minutes.
Want a handy hotel near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Seattle to Washington DC, these accommodation options will have you moments from check-in:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport earns top marks for its on-time performance. 81.27% of flights that take off from SEA arrive at their destination without delay.
Arriving in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to central Washington DC takes around 15 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 6 kilometres away.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 45 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel close to DCA if you have a late flight from Seattle to Washington DC. Check in to 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.
Booking your vehicle from Ronald Reagan National Airport about four weeks in advance can help you get the lowest rate.
DCA is situated at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
As soon as your flight from Seattle to Washington DC has arrived, you can make your way to the city centre in around 50 minutes by car. Central Washington DC is approximately 40 kilometres from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
The trip will take approximately 1 hour 10 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some great places to call home for the night near IAD. Tuck yourself in after your Seattle to Washington DC flight at any of these perfectly located options:
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a Washington Dulles International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Sixt and set off in the blink of an eye.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Reserving your ride from IAD one week in advance often means better prices and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Washington Dulles International Airport can be found at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Head toward the city centre after your flight from Seattle to Washington DC has landed. Central Washington DC is about 40 kilometres from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and takes roughly 50 minutes to get there in a car.
If you travel by public transport, the journey time is around 1 hour 30 minutes.
If you don't want to travel to the centre, find a hotel close to BWI. Make yourself comfortable at one of these stays after your Seattle to Washington DC flight:
Begin your journey without worrying about how to arrive at your destination with a Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport rental car. You can book your wheels with trusted names here like Dollar, Thrifty and Budget.
If you're after a specific make or model, lock in your ride from BWI about two weeks ahead of your flight from Seattle to Washington DC. This gives you a better shot at getting the car you prefer, along with a better price.
Best time to go to Washington DC
February is the most popular month for flights from Seattle to Washington DC. To escape the crowds, go to Washington DC in May.
The warmest month in Washington DC is July, with temperatures ranging between 19ºC and 33ºC. Lock in your Seattle to Washington DC ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Seattle to Washington DC in January when temperatures average between -6ºC and 10ºC.
More about Washington DC
Start your Washington DC trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Seattle to Washington DC, browse our selection of accommodation options including:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. White House Historical Association, The White House and National Mall are essential stops on your Washington DC itinerary.
Explore more of United States
Washington DC has its own special appeal, but there are so many other corners of United States you should also see. Around 322 kilometres north-east of Washington DC, a visit to New York will keep your itinerary packed. Check out popular attractions like Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Empire State Building.
Philadelphia is another must-experience destination in United States and is around 193 kilometres north-east of Washington DC. No journey is complete without experiencing Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Philadelphia Museum of Art.