Flying from Sacramento to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Start planning your trip by checking out the most convenient departure point for your flight from Sacramento to Los Angeles. Explore your options for taking off from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) or Stockton Airport (SCK), two of the city's main airports.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are the major arrival points in Los Angeles.
Around 1 hour 35 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct Sacramento to Los Angeles flight.
Sacramento and Los Angeles are both in the UTC-7 timezone. That means you won't have to change your watch when you arrive.
The busiest route for flights from Sacramento to Los Angeles is Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to {"defaultCase":"Los Angeles International Airport","accusativeCase":"Los Angeles International Airport","nominativeCase":"Los Angeles International Airport","dativeCase":"Los Angeles International Airport"} (LAX). Pick from 95 services that connect these two airports every week.
To ensure you get on your Sacramento to Los Angeles flight, leave enough time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is a good rule of thumb.
Popular months like August or holiday periods such as spring break and Christmas will mean longer lines at check-in and security. If you're travelling then, play it safe and get to the airport even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and four hours ahead of international departures is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Sacramento to Los Angeles
R 658 is the lowest price for a one-way ticket from Sacramento to Los Angeles. A return flight starts from R 2,133. These fares can change based on demand.
To snag cheap Sacramento to Los Angeles flights, reserve your journey two months before your departure.
May is the best month for nabbing a fantastic deal on a plane ticket from Sacramento to Los Angeles. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices across every month.
You don't need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from Sacramento to Los Angeles.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' Sacramento to Los Angeles flights.
Flying from Sacramento
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
You can catch a direct flight from Sacramento to Los Angeles leaving from Sacramento International Airport (SMF). Begin your trip at SMF and end it at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
These are some of the most popular airlines offering direct Sacramento to Los Angeles plane tickets with departures from SMF:
Located around 14 kilometres from the centre of Sacramento, SMF can be reached in about 15 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 25 minutes.
In search of a place to stay before your flight from Sacramento to Los Angeles? Consider Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sacramento Airport Natomas. Enjoy a good night's sleep here before making your way to Sacramento International Airport.
Sacramento International Airport maintains a solid on-time performance, reducing the likelihood of delays. Departures from SMF touch down on schedule 82.15% of the time.
You'll find SMF at 6900 Airport Boulevard.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
The distance from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to central Los Angeles is roughly 19 kilometres. It'll take you around 30 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It typically takes 55 minutes to get there when travelling by public transport.
Book a hotel close to LAX if you have a late flight from Sacramento to Los Angeles. Settle into one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Pick up a Los Angeles International Airport rental car and discover Los Angeles and beyond with your own wheels. Dollar, Thrifty and Hertz are popular outlets you can book with here.
To secure the lowest price, book your vehicle from Los Angeles International Airport around one week in advance of your Sacramento to Los Angeles flight.
LAX is situated at One World Way.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Central Los Angeles is around 29 kilometres from Van Nuys Airport (VNY). As soon as your flight from Sacramento to Los Angeles has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should take about 35 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, the journey will take you 1 hour 40 minutes or so.
You'll find some great places ready to welcome you near VNY. Settle in and get cosy after your Sacramento to Los Angeles flight at one of these perfectly located options:
The fastest way to reach your destination is with a Van Nuys Airport rental car. Collect a set of wheels from Budget, Dollar or Hertz and hit the road in a heartbeat.
Get your preferred vehicle, not just what's available, by booking your ride from VNY ahead of your arrival. You can also avoid paying more than you have to, especially when the airport is busy.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
May is the quietest month for flights from Sacramento to Los Angeles, while July is the most popular. Pick the ideal time to visit Los Angeles based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Lock in a Sacramento to Los Angeles ticket departing in August if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Los Angeles to range from 16ºC (61ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
If you want cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Sacramento to Los Angeles in February when temperatures average between 6ºC (43ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF).
More about Los Angeles
Once you've booked your flight from Sacramento to Los Angeles, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these options your base for exploring Los Angeles:
Every great holiday has to include a little sightseeing. Griffith Observatory, The Broad and La Brea Tar Pits & Museum are attractions you won't want to skip in Los Angeles.
Explore more of United States
San Diego is just one of the many cities in United States waiting to be discovered once you've seen the sights of Los Angeles. Around 177 kilometres to the south-east, top sights here include San Diego Zoo, USS Midway Museum and SeaWorld San Diego.
If you're ready to explore another side of United States, head for San Jose, roughly 499 kilometres north-west of Los Angeles. Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art are highlights.
