Travelling from Philadelphia to Los Angeles: what you need to know
Start planning your holiday by checking out the departure points for your flight from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. Explore the options for taking off from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) or Philadelphia Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN), two of the city's main airports.
The major arrival points in Los Angeles are Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
Book a direct Philadelphia to Los Angeles flight and you'll be travelling for an average of 5 hours 55 minutes.
Los Angeles is three hours behind Philadelphia and is in the UTC-8 timezone.
The busiest route for flights from Philadelphia to Los Angeles is from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Take your pick of 49 services every week between these two airports. If you'd like to take off at the first opportunity, the earliest flight from PHL to LAX is the 05:25 American Airlines option. If you prefer travelling later, the last departure is at 22:33 with Spirit Airlines.
For a stress-free start to your trip, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your Philadelphia to Los Angeles flight.
During popular months such as August, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for an international flight whenever you're travelling during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Philadelphia to Los Angeles
To find cheap Philadelphia to Los Angeles flights, book as early as you can. Airlines generally offer lower prices when tickets first go on sale.
Finding cheap plane tickets from Philadelphia to Los Angeles is more likely if you're flexible with your dates. Use the 'Whole month' search tool to see the best prices across each month and land a sweet deal.
You don't need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll tell you as soon as there's a better deal on cheap flights from Philadelphia to Los Angeles.
Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Philadelphia to Los Angeles flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Set out from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) on a nonstop flight from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. From PHL, you can fly straight to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
You'll find a variety of carriers offering direct Philadelphia to Los Angeles plane tickets with departures from PHL, including:
Travelling from central Philadelphia to PHL takes about 30 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a taxi, you'll cover the 11 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Looking for a convenient hotel near Philadelphia International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
77% of flights departing from Philadelphia International Airport land at their destination on schedule.
You'll find PHL at 8500 Essington Ave.
Arriving in Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is approximately 19 kilometres from central Los Angeles. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive will take around 35 minutes.
It typically takes 1 hour to get there on public transport.
Book a hotel near LAX if you're coming in on a late flight from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. Select one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a Los Angeles International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and experience the lesser-explored corners of Los Angeles and beyond.
Reserving your vehicle from Los Angeles International Airport around one week in advance can help you get the best possible rate.
You'll find LAX at One World Way.
Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY)
Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY) is around 27 kilometres from the centre of Los Angeles. After your flight from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, it takes approximately 35 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.
Travelling by public transport will take around 1 hour 15 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel near VNY. Here are a few options where you can check in after your flight from Philadelphia to Los Angeles:
Forget about public transport timetables or long taxi queues. Grab a Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport rental car and take your journey in whatever direction you like. Check out the availability and rates from Budget, Dollar and Hertz.
Get your ideal vehicle, not just what's available, by securing your ride from VNY ahead of your arrival. You can also avoid last-minute price surges, especially during busy airport times.
Best time to go to Los Angeles
It's time to pick your dates for your flight from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. July is the busiest month to visit Los Angeles. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, go in March.
The warmest month in Los Angeles is August, with temperatures ranging between 16ºC (61ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Lock in your Philadelphia to Los Angeles ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
February sees average temperatures of between 6ºC (43ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF). Look for cheap flights from Philadelphia to Los Angeles around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Los Angeles
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Los Angeles right here. Check out these hotels once you've locked in your flight from Philadelphia to Los Angeles:
Hollywood Sign and Universal Studios Hollywood are just a couple of the big attractions to put on your Los Angeles itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at Hollywood Bowl.
Explore more of the United States
Los Angeles will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other parts of the United States you should also see. Around 177 kilometres southeast of Los Angeles, a trip to San Diego will keep you on the go. Start with popular sights like San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum.
If you want to check out another major stop in the United States, head for San Jose, about 499 kilometres northwest of Los Angeles. Winchester Mystery House, The Tech Interactive and Santa Clara Valley are among its highlights.
