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How to get fromSan Francisco to Washingtonby plane, bus (Greyhound), train (Amtrak), car, subway, or train

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There are 7 ways to get from San Francisco to Washington by plane, bus (Greyhound), train (Amtrak), car, subway, or train

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

    best
    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)plane plane SFO - DCA
    6h 30m
    $160–512

  2. Bus (Greyhound)

    1. Take the bus from San Francisco Bus Station to Sparks Transit Centerbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Sparks Transit Center to Denver Union Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Denver Union Station to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Washington Union Stationbus bus
    2d 19h
    $466–756

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Richmond to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Washington Union Stationtrain train
    3d
    $805–1,856

  4. Drive  2,798.5 mi

    1. Drive from San Francisco to Washingtoncar car 2,798.5 mi
    44h 32m
    $511–738

  5. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Washington Dulles International Airport, subway

    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)plane plane SFO - IAD
    2. Take the subway from Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platform to Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 1 Platformsubway subway
    7h 28m
    $212–615

  6. Fly San Francisco International Airport to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, train

    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)plane plane SFO - BWI
    2. Take the train from BWI Thurgood Marshall to Washington Union Stationtrain train
    7h 36m
    $162–1,114

  7. Caltrain to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, train

    1. Take the train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to Santa Clara Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    2. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)plane plane SJC - BWI
    3. Take the train from BWI Thurgood Marshall to Washington Union Stationtrain train
    8h 40m
    $194–1,316

San Francisco to Washington by bus (Greyhound)

Calendar7Weekly Buses
Duration2d 19hAverage Duration
Ticket$466Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Francisco to Washington.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,450.8 mi
  • Duration: 6h 30m

What companies run services between San Francisco, CA, USA and Washington, DC, USA?

Alaska Airlines, Inc., United Airlines, and two other airlines fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from San Francisco Bus Station to Washington Union Station via Sparks Transit Center, Denver Union Station, and Chicago Bus Station in around 2d 19h.

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Need to know: Greyhound

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