SJO - WAS

Find Cheap Flights from San José to Washington, D.C. – Compare and Save

1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Direct flights
1 day a week
You can fly direct with United Airlines. Average duration is 4h 44m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
SJO - IAD
Cheapest • 2% average savings
SJO - DCA
Most popular
Insights
Insights
Avoid delays
Avianca
Most punctual • 89% on-time
Afternoon
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
9 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 9 weeks in advance save around 10% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
February
Cheapest • 21% price drop
December
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
Cheapest • Avg £187 (return)
Guatemala City La Aurora (GUA)
Shortest trip • 7h 05m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San José to Washington, D.C. (SJO-WAS)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from San José to Washington, D.C.

Multiple Airlines Logo
SJO  Juan Santamaria Airport-WAS Washington, D.C. All airports
2045 mimulti-stop
Multiple Airlines Logo
WAS  Washington, D.C. All airports-SJO Juan Santamaria Airport
2045 mimulti-stop
Multiple Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for San José to Washington, D.C. flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

What is the cheapest San José to Washington, D.C. flight route?

There's little price difference between San José to Washington, D.C. routes. They average around £273 return, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from San José to Washington, D.C.?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San José to Washington, D.C.. It's 4% cheaper than the average day, while Monday is the most expensive, with prices 17% higher.

What is the cheapest month to fly from San José to Washington, D.C.?

•February is the cheapest month to fly from San José to Washington, D.C. at £212 return.
•August (£329) and July (£325) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 54% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from San José to Washington, D.C. the cheapest?

Flights from San José to Washington, D.C. are cheapest 9 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 10% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

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Key details for San José to Washington, D.C. flights

Low season

March
Beat the crowds with an average 19% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 33% increase in traveller numbers.

When to book flights from San José to Washington, D.C.

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San José to Washington, D.C. based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your San José to Washington, D.C. flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from San José to Washington, D.C.?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from San José to Washington, D.C.:

    • Earliest: departs at 13:15 and lands at 17:59
    • Latest: departs at 14:15 and lands at 18:59.

    The flight takes about 4h 44m.

  • How long is a flight from San José to Washington, D.C.?

    A direct flight from San José to Washington, D.C. takes 4h 44m, covering 2,045 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from San José to Washington, D.C.?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a San José to Washington, D.C. flight?

    Return flights from San José to Washington, D.C. range from £228 to £358, with an average of £270 over the past 12 months. Anything below £228 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute San José to Washington, D.C. flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 5% above the £270 route average. Book 9 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by having a stopover when flying from San José to Washington, D.C.?

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average £187 return via Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), compared with £336 for direct.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from San José to Washington, D.C.?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge £19–£56 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • What car hire options are available in Washington, D.C.?

    Since Washington, D.C. is served by multiple airports, car hire options and rates can vary depending on which one you fly into.
    Near Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport (DCA) – daily rates from around £18:

    • Sixt
    • Dollar
    • Thrifty
    • Hertz
    • Alamo

    Near Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport (IAD) – daily rates from around £18:

    • Dollar
    • Hertz
    • Budget
    • Sixt
    • Thrifty

  • Which airports can I use when flying from San José to Washington, D.C.?

    Flights from San José to Washington, D.C. usually depart from San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) and may arrive at several airports in Washington, D.C. area, including Washington, D.C. Reagan-National (DCA) and Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl (IAD).

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from San José to Washington, D.C.?

    Afternoon flights have the fewest delays on this route.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed on the route from San José to Washington, D.C.?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the San José to Washington, D.C. route, 14% of flights were delayed in the past three months, with delays averaging 2h 08m.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from San José to Washington, D.C. pass through?

    One-stop flights from San José to Washington, D.C. most commonly connect through:

    • San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) – 37% of one-stop connections
    • Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) – 26% of one-stop connections
    • Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH) – 22% of one-stop connections
    • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) – 3% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from San José to Washington, D.C.?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 18% on flights from San José to Washington, D.C.. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at £260 return on average, while Monday is the most expensive at £317, a difference of £56.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • Which airlines fly from San José to Washington, D.C.?

    Only United Airlines operates flights between San José and Washington, D.C..

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from San José to Washington, D.C.?

    Flying via Guatemala City La Aurora (GUA) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 7h 05m, compared to 7h 45m via Miami (MIA) and 8h via Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY).

  • What is the time difference between San José and Washington, D.C.?

    Washington, D.C. is 2 hours ahead of San José (Eastern Time vs Central Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Washington, D.C.?

    Some of the most popular sights in Washington, D.C. are Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives, Capital One Arena, and Grand Hyatt Washington. These are among the most viewed places in Washington, D.C. on KAYAK.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on San José to Washington, D.C. flights?

    Among airlines operating San José to Washington, D.C. flights:

    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Avianca: offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on San José to Washington, D.C. flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • United Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Avianca: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Azul: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Business Class

    Baggage allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

Your guide to booking San José to Washington, D.C. flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Tuesday departure and avoid flying on Monday. On this route, Tuesday flights average £260, about £56 less than Monday fares (18% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 9 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 10% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San José to Washington, D.C. trip for February. Fares historically average £212 return in that month – typically £116 less than the most expensive month, which is August (based on the last 12 months).
  • For the best chance of arriving on time, fly with Avianca. Over the past three months, 89% of Avianca flights from San José to Washington, D.C. arrived on time, slightly above the route average of 86%. When flights on this route arrive late, they're delayed by an average of 2h 08m, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference if you're on a tight schedule.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages £187 return on this route – about £149 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Washington, D.C. Reagan-National Airport.

    • Hyatt House Washington DC The Wharf
    • Intercontinental Hotels Washington D.C. - The Wharf By IHG
    • Canopy by Hilton Washington D.C - The Wharf

Prefer to fly direct from San José to Washington, D.C.?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport to Washington, D.C., which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

San José Juan Santamaria Intl to Washington, D.C.

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Washington, D.C. to San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from San José to Washington, D.C.

Complete your trip to Washington, D.C. with a hotel stay or car hire

Car hire in Washington, D.C.
Hotels in Washington, D.C.
Holidays in Washington, D.C.