Washington to Los Angeles Flights

  About Washington

Washington DC, is the capital city of the United States of America. The city reflects the rich history of the United States with its neoclassical monuments and iconic locations. The place will keep you engaged with its compelling slew of tourist attractions. As the capital of the United States of America, Washington DC has many traditional attractions with important museums and monuments. Make sure to visit all the Smithsonian American museums as they shed light on various cultural and historical significance of America.

Best time to visit Washington DC

Washington DC's summers are the peak season for travel. However, to steer clear off all the touristy crowd and to engage in some real fun, it is best to opt for spring and autumn. Summers in Washington DC are from June to August when the city experiences sweltering heat and a tremendous tourist crowd. Some of the fun events and festivals hosted by the city during this period include Capital Pride Parade, National Mall Fourth of July Celebration and Summerfest DC. While they may seem like enjoyable activities to participate in, the exorbitant prices of surviving a trip might pull you back. Although many locals ring in summers in other parts of the US, tourists might find Washington DC to be a tad bit expensive during peak season. Even hotel rooms in Washington DC are expensive. The months leading up to summer, though, are quite pleasant and even easy on the pockets. Spring brings with it the season of blossoms as the month of March begins with the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Watching the cherry blossoms bloom is a trip and definitely worth experiencing. The city also witnesses the National Memorial Day Parade, another interesting festival to be a part of.

Maybe not summer but the season following summer in Washington DC is just as favourable for tourists. The autumn season is just next to perfection and definitely something all tourists would enjoy. The weather is exquisite and calm as the brisk winter air starts to slowly take over the city. Booking a hotel in Washington DC becomes cheap and affordable too as the summer crowd takes away the expensive tags. However, as many business travellers make their way into the city, the hotel deals might still be a hard snag unless you make prior hotel bookings in Washington DC. The city witnesses the H Street festival and Library of Congress National Book Festival during autumn. The cultural festivals with their historical significance only add to the experience one might take in during a trip to Washington DC. If you want to downscale your budget further, then winter is the best time to visit for you. The city streets freeze up while the temperature ranges between 5 degree Celsius to 7 degree Celsius. The perks, though, are the slash in hotel room prices, which is a sweet deal if you want to experience winter in the city.

Places to visit in Washington DC

The first thing to check out would undoubtedly be the Lincoln Memorial. The location would make quite a postcard-worthy click with Honest Abe's memorial in the background. Next, you can visit Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials, popularly referred to as 'the Wall', which has names of all the Americans who succumbed to the Vietnam War. Just around the Lincoln Memorial is the beautiful Tidal Basin, a must-visit, especially during spring. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum is a treasure trove which celebrates exquisite aircraft, including Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega 5B and Wilbur and Orville Wright's 1903 Wright Flyer, to name a few. It is a fascinating place and would certainly pique your interest. The city also has the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum which showcases the atrocities faced during the World War II. Do not miss the National Gallery of Art and The White House and the Washington Monument.

Things to do in Washington DC

Majority of the things that you can do in the city pertain to some of the sightseeing. Washington DC is recognised to be the city with a plethora of historical monuments and a haven for American history. The city offers a peek into the country's history as well as important events. Aside from indulging in the past of the country, one of the things you should definitely do is get tickets to a show at The John F Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts. You can explore the US Capitol's Library of Congress to get more understanding of the politics. A picture next to Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial also sounds like a good thing to do. You can also take a break from all the history lessons and head to 9:30 Club to relish some live music. The club has hosted many big bands, including RHCP and Nirvana.

Food and Restaurants in Washington DC

Washington DC's food culture is as diverse as the capital can get. There is an abundance of succulent eateries spread across the city. From piquant Spanish delicacies to oyster shots, there are many ethnic and global restaurants that will get your attention. Check out H Street Northeast, in the Atlas District to get some of the ethnic action as there are Belgian, Japanese and many more cultural kitchens. To get the sophisticated gourmet experience at an upscale restaurant, you can visit José Andrés' hotels such as Zaytinya and Oyamel Cocina Mexicana. Old Ebbitt grill and 1789 are also some lovely places where you will get the high-end fine dining experience. However, if you are on a budget, then opt for some eateries such as Ben's Chili Bowl and Good Stuff Eatery. These places have some signature dishes that you shouldn't miss at any cost. From lip-smacking burgers to rice bowls, the two joints offer an interesting palette of flavours in their meals that is worth all the money shelled out. Good Stuff Eatery's burgers are famous as they have been curated by chef Spike Mendelsohn.

Another major highlight to add to Washington DC's food culture are the farmer's markets in the city. Located in the District, a group of farmers huddle up to sell their fresh goods which come in all forms, colours and shapes. You'll find organic vegetables, healthy fruits and a colourful spread of goods at the market. It is a good place to get some of the fruity and healthy veggies action. Columbia Heights Farmers Market and FRESHFARM are two recognised markets that you should check out when in the city. Interestingly, the city also has lovely breweries and brewpubs, which came into existence in the recent past. However, the best way to enjoy the DC spirit would be to indulge in some brunch options. Tabard Inn, Kafe Leopold, Equinox, Cava Mezze, Juniper, Cafe Milano, to name a few, would be the best places to start your brunch rendezvous

How to reach Washington DC

Flight connectivity to Washington DC from India is quite decent but overpriced. There are no direct flights to Washington DC from India and layovers are the only way to reach the capital city. The demand for flights to Washington DC are not as much as for New York City or Chicago. Hence, the connectivity is also quite poor. There are only a handful of airlines that operate from India to Washington. Airlines such as United Airlines, Air Canada, Emirates, All Nippon Airways, to name a few, are the only ones that have flight services to Washington DC from India. There are no nonstop or flights to Washington DC from India, and usually, a layover or connecting flight is the only way to go. The United Airlines has flight connectivity to Washington DC from Newark. Many of the flights use the international route of Newark to reach Washington DC. Emirates is the only other airline that stops at Dubai for a layover before flying to Washington DC. Cathay Pacific also has flights to Washington DC from Delhi. Mostly, the connectivity is only from the Dubai and Newark international routes to reach Washington DC. The popular route to Washington DC often chosen by travellers is from Newark

Travellers require a transit visa to enter the USA and to reach Washington DC. Since the flights have connectivity from Newark, the non-immigrants are required to show a transit visa to let the authorities know that you are just taking a connecting flight to a different destination. A transit visa is a type 'C' visa where basically, you need to show at the Newark airport that you are just taking a connecting flight to Washington DC. To acquire these, you could apply for them at the American embassy, or you can do it online. The provisions are faster online and would be beneficial to you. The flight duration to Washington DC from India is approximately 17 hours, which is subject to change depending on the availability of flights. Do not expect cheap flight tickets to Washington DC. Not only is the capital expensive but even flight tickets to Washington DC is quite exorbitant. Even the accommodation is high-priced, and it would be best to make flight and hotel bookings to Washington DC well in advance to avoid expensive rates.

  About Los Angeles

Los Angeles is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States of America. Even though it is majorly popular for Hollywood and a tour of the Paramount Pictures Studios and Warner Bros. Studios, there is more to LA than that. It is one of the fanciest cities to live in and worth every penny spent. LA also has the Malibu, Venice and Santa Monica Beaches that offer a couple of water activities. You can also go hiking at Griffith Park and Angeles National Forest. A lot of tourists prefer a guided tour of the city, but it can take a while since it's a big city. It would, however, help if you plan in advance and make a list of things you want to do and places you want to visit in LA. You also need to make sure that you book your hotel in Los Angeles way in advance. For all you know, you might even run into your favourite celebrity here in LA.

Best Time to Visit Los Angeles

LA is one city that you can visit whenever you want and is at its affordable best if you have planned the trip well in advance. June to August is summer in LA, and it is also a high season. The temperature ranges from 15 to 29 degree Celsius. Booking a hotel in LA during the high season is quite expensive, and you won't even get cheap flight tickets to LA if you are flying during this season. However, if you are not wound up by a budget or have no trouble bearing the heat, summer is ideal for visiting LA for you. You can also be a part of LA Pride that happens in June and the Nisei Week Japanese Festival in August. Since the city is buzzing with tourists, it will also be difficult for you to enjoy some quiet time for yourself. You will constantly find a lot of tourists, almost every place you go to.

March to May is the spring season in LA, and though the prices don't really drop during this season, it is an ideal time to visit the city. The weather remains pleasant, and there are fewer tourists as compared to summer, which makes it all the more better. Though you might not be able to book a hotel in LA at an affordable price, you will come across quite a few discounts and flight deals to LA online. You can attend events like the Los Angeles Marathon, Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Jazz Reggae Festival and so on. With fewer tourists, you will also enjoy the Hollywood tour more than you would with tourists overcrowding the city. The temperature ranges from 10 to 23 degree Celsius and makes for quite a pleasant day. The evenings are perfect for you just to take a stroll around the city or the beaches if you are planning to visit any.

September to November is another best time to visit LA since this is when the tourists leave. The weather turns quite pleasant, hotel prices drop and so do prices of flight tickets to LA. The temperature ranges from 11 to 28 degree Celsius. You won't have to worry about splurging more than your budget or stepping out in the sun a lot if you are visiting in autumn. If you are lucky enough, you might even get a chance to attend the Emmy Awards or at least the red carpet as a fan. Make sure that you have your passes arranged in advance. December to February is winter and temperature range from 8 to 20 degree Celsius. It rains quite a lot during winter and LA is not as cold as the other cities in the US like New York or Boston. However, you will bump into celebrities here since the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards and Grammys are also hosted during this season. Don't forget to catch the Hollywood Christmas Parade if you are going to be around during the festival.

Places to Visit in Los Angeles

A Hollywood Tour is a must when you visit Los Angeles. Paramount Pictures Studios, Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Warner Bros. Studios are popular tourist attractions in the city. You can go on a guided tour of the studios and might even run into your favourite celebrity. If you want to spend a day near the ocean, you can head to Santa Monica Beach, Venice Beach, Zuma Beach or Malibu Beach. You can also head to the Universal Studios. Not only will you get to visit popular movie sets here but you can also try the movie-themed rides that the place has to offer. Be it The Simpsons, Harry Potter, Walking Dead or Transformers, you can try whichever one is your favourite or all of them. The Museum of Jurassic Technology is another tourist attraction in LA that you would not want to miss. It's a blend of fact and fiction and has very little to do with dinosaurs. If you are heading to the Los Angeles Zoo, you can also visit The Griffith Observatory later. It is a planetarium that lets you observe the moon and stars through a Zeiss telescope.

Take a stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Now you don't have to hire a guide here necessarily if but you might come across interesting stories if you do. You can head to the Chinese Theatre later on that has hand and footprints of popular actors. Disneyland is another famous attraction that you can visit with your friends or family. It has two waterparks and four theme parks. You can also visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art if you are an art lover. LACMA, as it is called, opened in 1965 and showcases artefacts from Islamic to European artists. If you want to do a little window shopping or go on a shopping spree, head over to Rodeo Drive, you will come across a lot of high-end designer stores, and you will also spot a lot of expensive, fancy vehicles.

Things to do in Los Angeles

Park near Lake Hollywood or go on a hike at Griffith Park to take a picture with the iconic Hollywood sign in the background. It is one of the most popular landmarks in LA. Griffith Park is one of the most popular places to go hiking in Los Angeles. Venice is an eccentric neighbourhood in Los Angeles, and you might want to catch the sunset at Venice Beach. You will find numerous street vendors, tattoo parlours, international cuisines and a few street performers. You will have a great time here. You can also try bicycle tours in the city, a very eco-friendly way of getting around the city. You can reserve a day for museum tours and other sightseeing tours, another day for studio tours and another one for Disneyland. Heading to the beach and indulging in water activities in another popular thing to do in LA. You will certainly not get tired of living the luxe life here.

Food and Restaurants in Los Angeles

LA has a very diverse range of cuisines, and since it is a famous place for celebs to be at, you will find a lot of restaurants here that are either owned by celebrity chefs like Wolfgang Puck and Gino Angelini. You will also find celebrity chefs recreating their signature dishes at other restaurants. If you want to grab a quick bite instead of waiting around at a restaurant, you can try the food trucks that serve sushi burritos, quinoa bowls and loaded hot dogs. You can also sign yourself up for a guided food tour since LA is known for its eclectic dining scene. The city is also known for its nightlife. You can head to The Varnish and ETA, and they are some of the best cocktail bars in the city. Diddy Riese Cookies is a fast food place that serves you delicious food. If you are in the mood for Italian food, you can try Raffaello Ristorante or Angelini Osteria. Tocaya Organica is the place you go to for Mexican or Latin food. Karl Strauss Brewing Company is an amazing brewpub.

How to reach Los Angeles (Transportation)

The Los Angeles International Airport is about 30 km away from Downtown LA. It is the world's third busiest airport. The flight connectivity to Los Angeles from India is excellent. Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, British Airways are some of the popular airlines that fly to LA with layovers at Istanbul, Singapore, Hong Kong and London. The frequency of flights to LA from India is quite good, and you will get to choose from a lot of them. The LA Airport is well-equipped, and you can expect first-class treatment even if you are not a VIP. There are restaurants, cafes, duty-free shopping areas, taxi services, almost everything that you need here. You can also chill at the airport lounge while you wait for your flight.

  About Los Angeles Airport

Los Angeles International Airport is located in Westchester, about 30 km away from Downtown Los Angeles. It is the primary airport that serves Los Angeles county and all the metropolitan that surrounds it. The airport is recognized to be the third busiest airport in the world with respect to passenger traffic, domestic and international. It is also the second busiest airport in the United States and follows Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The airport is easily the largest international airport on the West Coast of the US.

In fact, Los Angeles International Airport also serves as a major getaway for international flights and operations to the US. The airport is also renowned for its status as the world's busiest origin as well as the destination airport. This means the airport sees travellers either commence or conclude their journey than use it for connecting flights. Los Angeles International Airport also operates the four legacy carriers of the US, American, United, Alaska and Delta. Hubs have been designated to the airlines.

About Airport Terminals

Los Angeles International Airport has a total of nine passenger terminals which comprises of 132 gates in total. The arrangement of the gates is in the form of the letter U and have been numbered to make it easier for the passenger. Tom Bradley International Terminal is completely out of the equation though. With the expansion of the Midfield Satellite Concourse North, international flights can now be accessed from the Tom Bradley Terminal (TBIT). With TBIT, 12 new gates have been added to the Midfield Satellite Concourse North. The terminal and runway have also undergone tremendous improvement. Terminal 1 is reserved for domestic flights as well as international check-in counters are also available. Terminal 2 has been allotted to Aer Lingus Airlines, Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic, West Jet and Delta Air Lines. Virgin Atlantic also has a Clubhouse that has been installed in the terminal premise. The structure has a luxurious overview that has been inspired by the West Coast luxe lifestyle. Terminal 3 has recently been given wholly to Delta Air Lines. The airlines plans to make some extensive upgrades to accommodate better passenger experience. The terminal also has check-ins of airlines such as Interjet and Virgin Australia, Avianca and Copa.

Terminal 4 has been taken over by American Airlines. The upgrades to the terminal were recently completed and with ticketing counters, restaurants and a direct connection from the terminal to the newly opened Tom Bradley International Terminal. The link has been created to enhance connectivity for passengers who need to reach the other terminal for connecting flights. Terminal 5 sees airlines such as Hawaiian Air, Air Canada (only arrivals), American, American Airlines, Allegiant Air and Frontier. They have recently upgraded the face of the terminal with additional restaurants and ticketing lobby. New baggage carousels have also been installed. Terminal 6 has the departures for Air Canada and all operations of Alaska Airlines, Boutique Air, Thomas Cook, Viva Aerobus and Mokulele Airlines. Latest check-in kiosks have been installed as well as numerous security screening points. Even the lobby's decor has undergone alterations. Terminal 7 is again reserved for domestic airlines, United Airlines and United Express. A new United Club Terminal 7 lounge has recently been opened. Terminal 8 also has flights of United Airlines and United Express with better ticketing lobby and enhancing seating.

About Airport Authority

Los Angeles International Airport is owned and operated by the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWAL). LAWA is actually a branch of the city of Los Angeles and has a team of seven members on the Board of Airport Commissioners. They govern the management and administer the airport's functions. The statutory body owns Los Angeles International Airport as well as Van Nuys Airport, which is located in the San Fernando Valley. Los Angeles World Airport was acquired in 1928 by the Los Angeles Department of Airports to take up operations of Los Angeles Municipal Airport (as it was named earlier). Later in 1997, the Department of Airports took on a new identity and named itself Los Angeles World Airports. The organization was previously owned and operated by Palmdale Regional Airport along with Ontario International Airport. However, it is now an independent body. The authority has managed to bring about tremendous changes in upscaling the passenger experience and infrastructure of the Los Angeles International Airport. They even received the Sustainability Award after the renovation of their Tom Bradley International Terminal.

Los Angeles World Airports has enabled its department of police that go by the name Los Angeles Airport Police. They are often referred to as LAXPD or LAWAPD too. The department is recognized as the fourth largest law enforcement entity in Los Angeles County. There are about 1,100 law enforcement, staff and security personnel employed by the LAWAPD. They sometimes even patrol jointly with the county's police department (LAPD). Additional police personnel have been assigned to LAX security too.

Top airlines flying from Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles International Airport caters as the focus city to airlines such as Air New Zealand, Qantas, Volaris, Southwest Airlines, Allegiant Air and Norwegian Air Shuttle. Meanwhile, it is also known to be the only airport in the United States to cater to all four US legacy carriers, namely, American, Alaska, United and Delta. In fact, designated terminals have been allotted to accommodate these airlines at the Los Angeles International Airport. Aside from the legacy carriers, the airlines also see tremendous action on the international front. Airlines such as Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Copa, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, Japan Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airways, Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Saudia, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Volaris and WestJet, have dedicated flights flying to Los Angeles Airport on a regular basis.

Facilities at the Los Angeles International Airport

Nursing stations - Nursing stations or child care rooms are present at the airport for mothers with infants. The room is regularly sanitized and kept clean to ensure that it doesn't cause discomfort to the mother or the baby.

WiFI - WiFi connections can also be availed at the airport for free. You can get details of the same at the information desk. The WiFi services are unlimited so you can use it for as long as you want.

ATMs and currency exchange - Dedicated ATM kiosks and currency exchange counters are also present at the arrivals of the airport.

Medical services - Medical centres and emergency rooms are also available at the Los Angeles International Airport. You can make medical purchases. In case of an emergency that takes place at the airport terminal, there are paramedics available to immediately tend to the case.

Animal relief centre - There are provisions of animal relief areas where travellers flying with pets can visit. The areas are reserved specifically to help out pets and their family.

Art programs - The airport has a one of a kind art experience where they host programs that travellers can indulge in.

Lounges - Los Angeles International Airport has exquisite lounges and VIP rooms. The lounge is available for VIPs as well as first-class and business-class. The hospitality is great while the lounge also offers spas and other such services.

How to reach Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles International Airport is well-connected to the city centre and has various modes of transport available to and from the airport. You will be able to reach the Los Angeles International Airport with much easy if you simply opt for FlyAway bus service that is available at the official website of the airport. The service basically helps bridge the gap between Los Angeles International Airport and Union Station. It also caters to other locations in the city so you can easily reach the Los Angeles International Airport without much hassle. The buses also work on regular schedules so you might have to learn a bit about the same before you plan your travel options. Los Angeles International Airport's website has already shared the bus schedules on their website so you can peruse through the same to get answers. 11:40 PM is the last bus while it starts at 5:40 AM. The timings can change depending on the air traffic and other such conditions. There are free shuttle buses that can reach you to different terminals within the LA Airport premise.

Car rentals and taxis are other options you can choose to reach the Los Angeles International Airport. You can either book them on apps such as Uber, or you can also hail a taxi from the street. The chances of getting those might be limited in LA, but you can always try. As for rentals, if you have just landed at Los Angeles International Airport, you can find rental booths at the arrivals area. You can make your car rental bookings here and leave for the city.