Submit feedback
December at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) marks peak holiday outbound travel for the Bay Area. For flights from San Francisco to Washington (All Airports) (WASA), early December and mid-week departures typically yield lower fares, while travel around December 20–31 can result in higher prices and limited seat availability. Consider nearby airports (Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento) for alternate routing; compare all Washington airports (Dulles IAD, Reagan National DCA, Baltimore BWI) when searching flights. Pack for varying temperatures — SFO is mild and foggy, while Washington is cold — and allow extra time for security and holiday crowds. Book SFO to Washington flights soon to lock in best fares and preferred nonstop schedules, and set fare alerts to catch last-minute sales.
Arriving in Washington (All Airports) (WASA) from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in December means landing into cold, sometimes snowy conditions. DCA provides the quickest access to downtown DC and Alexandria via Metro, IAD offers broader nonstop choice and international connections but longer ground transfers, and BWI can be cost-effective with fast train links to Baltimore and DC. Expect holiday crowds, decorated terminals, and additional winter operations like de-icing. Book rideshares, shuttles, or rail in advance for seamless arrival, and use fare comparison tools to search SFO to Washington flights across all WASA airports to find the best schedule and price.
San Francisco highlights in December include the Union Square holiday tree and ice rink, Pier 39 holiday lights, SF Ballet’s Nutcracker, and seasonal markets throughout the city. Washington events feature the National Christmas Tree and holiday lighting, ZooLights at the National Zoo, Kennedy Center holiday programming, and seasonal exhibitions at the Smithsonian museums. If you’re flying from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Washington (All Airports) (WASA), plan to buy event tickets in advance for popular shows and account for higher airport volumes on weekends and around major holiday dates.
The best time to fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Washington (All Airports) (WASA) in December is early in the month and mid-week (Tuesday–Thursday) to secure lower fares and avoid peak holiday crowds. Morning departures tend to be more reliable than late-afternoon flights when winter weather or cascading delays can occur. If you must travel during the holidays, aim for flights several days before December 20 or after December 27 to avoid the largest crowds and highest prices. For last-minute travel, sign up for fare alerts and consider one-stop routing for potential savings.
Nonstop flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Washington (All Airports) (WASA) offer the fastest, most convenient option in December and reduce risk of missed connections during winter storms. Connecting itineraries via hubs such as Denver (DEN), Chicago (ORD), or Dallas (DFW) can be significantly cheaper and provide more schedule flexibility, but they increase the chance of weather-related disruptions and longer total travel time. For holiday travel, prefer nonstop whenever possible for reliability; if using a connection, allow ample layover time (preferably 90+ minutes) and choose the same carrier for through-checking baggage.
United Airlines: Frequently operates nonstop SFO–IAD flights with multiple daily options; strong choice if you value nonstop schedules and MileagePlus benefits. American Airlines: Offers SFO connections to DCA and IAD with competitive business class and AAdvantage perks; often has good award availability for December. Delta Air Lines: Provides SFO–IAD service and reliable inflight service, with strong SkyTeam partner connections if you need one-stop routing. Alaska Airlines: Competitive fares and excellent West Coast connections; may offer seasonal nonstops or one-stop itineraries. For December travel, compare total travel time and fees; nonstops typically cost more but save time and mitigate winter connection risk. Book with flexibility options if holiday plans could change.
Prepare for a contrast between mild San Francisco International Airport (SFO) weather and cold Washington (All Airports) (WASA) temperatures in December. Pack warm clothing, waterproof footwear, and a compact umbrella — coat checks are limited on many flights. Arrive at SFO at least 2 hours before domestic departures during holiday periods and build in 30–60 minutes post-arrival in Washington for baggage and ground transfers. Monitor airline advisories for de-icing and winter storm delays, consider travel insurance for peak holiday travel, and use TSA PreCheck and mobile boarding passes to speed terminal flows. For cheaper fares, search flexible dates and all WASA airports; for reliability, prioritize nonstop SFO to Washington flights.
Average nonstop flight time from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Washington (All Airports) (WASA) in December ranges from 4 hours 45 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes depending on the chosen Washington airport and winds. Typical schedule patterns: several daily nonstops to IAD and seasonal or limited DCA nonstops, with additional one-stop options through hub cities (DEN, ORD, DFW, PHX). Morning departures from SFO often arrive in Washington mid- to late-afternoon local time; red-eye options are limited but one-stop overnight itineraries exist. Always check carrier schedules for December as airlines adjust frequencies for holiday demand.
Find cheap flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Washington (All Airports) (WASA) in December by using flexible-date searches, comparing all three Washington airports, and booking 6–8 weeks in advance. Mid-week departures (Tuesday–Thursday) and early-December travel generally offer lower prices; avoid peak holiday dates (December 20–26 and December 30–31) when fares spike. Consider one-stop itineraries via Denver (DEN), Chicago (ORD), or Dallas (DFW) for savings, and set price alerts on multiple platforms. Use airport flexibility (OAK, SJC on departure and IAD/DCA/BWI on arrival) to increase the chance of finding a sale fare.