$60 Find Cheap Flights from Raleigh to California

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a KAYAK user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from Raleigh to California departing on 4/14. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. Click the price to replicate the search for this deal.
1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Raleigh to California.
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Raleigh to California.
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Cheap Flights from Raleigh to California

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours
Los Angeles
Los Angeles1 stop$241
San Francisco
San Francisco1 stop$287
San Diego
San Diego1 stop$221
San Jose
San Jose1 stop$245
Palm Springs
Palm Springs1 stop$331
Fresno
Fresno1 stop$286
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo1 stop$269
Bakersfield
Bakersfield2 stops$454
Merced
Merced2 stops$341
Reno
Reno1 stop$249
Sacramento
Sacramento1 stop$219
Los Angeles
Los Angeles1 stop$241
San Francisco
San Francisco1 stop$287
San Diego
San Diego1 stop$221
San Jose
San Jose1 stop$245
Palm Springs
Palm Springs1 stop$331
Fresno
Fresno1 stop$286
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo1 stop$269
Bakersfield
Bakersfield2 stops$454
Merced
Merced2 stops$341
Reno
Reno1 stop$249
Sacramento
Sacramento1 stop$219

Book Cheap Raleigh to California Plane Tickets

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Raleigh to California that are departing in the next months. While these flights were available on KAYAK in the last 72 hours, prices and availability are subject to change and deals may expire.
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Raleigh to California

Wed, Apr 22 - Mon, Apr 27
Frontier Logo
6:55 pm - 11:55 pm
RDU
-
ONT
8h 00m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
12:59 am - 6:44 pm
ONT
-
RDU
14h 45m
1 stop
$145Frontier
Wed, Apr 22 - Mon, Apr 27
Frontier Logo
6:55 pm - 11:55 pm
RDU
-
ONT
8h 00m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
12:59 am - 6:44 pm
ONT
-
RDU
14h 45m
1 stop
$152Frontier
Wed, Apr 29 - Tue, May 5
United Airlines Logo
1:15 pm - 6:45 pm
RDU
-
SMF
8h 30m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
11:59 pm - 10:22 am
SMF
-
RDU
7h 23m
1 stop
$244United Airlines
Thu, Apr 16 - Sat, Apr 25
Delta Logo
6:00 am - 3:00 pm
RDU
-
SJC
12h 00m
1 stop
Delta Logo
11:35 am - 11:59 pm
SJC
-
RDU
9h 24m
1 stop
$245Delta
Wed, Apr 22 - Wed, Apr 29
Delta Logo
6:00 am - 12:09 pm
RDU
-
SMF
9h 09m
1 stop
Delta Logo
11:12 am - 11:59 pm
SMF
-
RDU
9h 47m
1 stop
$245Delta
Sat, Apr 25 - Tue, Apr 28
United Airlines Logo
6:25 pm - 11:59 pm
RDU
-
RNO
8h 34m
1 stop
United Airlines Logo
1:42 pm - 11:19 pm
RNO
-
RDU
6h 37m
1 stop
$249United Airlines
Tue, Mar 24 - Sat, Mar 28
American Airlines Logo
2:32 pm - 9:04 pm
RDU
-
RNO
9h 32m
1 stop
American Airlines Logo
11:52 pm - 10:47 am
RNO
-
RDU
7h 55m
1 stop
$297American Airlines
Wed, Mar 25 - Mon, Mar 30
American Airlines Logo
7:10 pm - 12:36 am
RDU
-
RNO
8h 26m
1 stop
American Airlines Logo
11:52 pm - 10:47 am
RNO
-
RDU
7h 55m
1 stop
$301American Airlines
Wed, May 27 - Mon, Jun 1
Southwest Logo
1:25 pm - 10:35 pm
RDU
-
FAT
12h 10m
2 stops
Southwest Logo
6:30 am - 7:05 pm
FAT
-
RDU
9h 35m
2 stops
$376Southwest
Wed, May 27 - Mon, Jun 1
Southwest Logo
1:25 pm - 10:35 pm
RDU
-
FAT
12h 10m
2 stops
Southwest Logo
5:15 am - 7:05 pm
FAT
-
RDU
10h 50m
1 stop
$377Southwest
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Raleigh to California flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Raleigh to California to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

How much is a round-trip flight from Raleigh to California?

This analysis is based on the cheapest round-trip price found on KAYAK in the last 12 months by searching for a flight from Raleigh to California departing in March.

What is the cheapest Raleigh to California flight route?

Data is based on round-trip flight searches on KAYAK over the past month.

The cheapest ticket to California from Raleigh found in the last 72 hours was to San Diego, at $227 round-trip. The most popular route is from Raleigh (RDU) to San Francisco (SFO), and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $289.

Can I save money by flying with a layover from Raleigh to California?

The average round-trip price for all non-stop flights, flights with one layover, and flights with two layovers for the route found by users searching on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks.

No, with an average price for the route of $383, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Raleigh to California?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Raleigh to California, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the median of all values for each month.

The cheapest month for flights from Raleigh to California is September, when tickets cost $337 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are December and February, when the average cost of round-trip tickets is $461 and $450 respectively.

What’s the cheapest day of the week to fly from Raleigh to California?

The average price of all round-trip flights from Raleigh to California clicked on KAYAK for each day over the last 12 months.

Your flight ticket price will generally be cheaper if you fly to California on a Wednesday and more expensive on a Sunday. On your return trip to Raleigh, you should consider flying back on a Wednesday, and avoid Sundays for better deals.

How far in advance should I book a flight from Raleigh to California?

To calculate weekly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each week before departure over the last year for round-trip flights from Raleigh to California, removes the top 0.1% to account for outliers, and then takes the average of all the values for each week.

To get a below average price on the flight from Raleigh to California, you should book around 4 weeks before departure, which saves you about 13% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 6 weeks before departure.

Good to know

Low seasonJanuary
Cheapest flight$60
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 1% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 11% increase in price.
Flight from Raleigh to San Diego

FAQs - booking California flights

  • Where are the most common layovers between Raleigh and California?

    Most flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to California will have at least one layover, but layovers on this route could be almost anywhere in the country. Some of the most common layovers on this path are at Denver International Airport (DEN) and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).

  • Does Raleigh-Durham International Airport have any lounges for passengers?

    Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) has a handful of lounges that passengers can use while waiting for flights to California. The American Airlines Admirals Club, Delta SkyClub, and United Club are all good options.

  • Which airlines welcome pets on flights from Raleigh to California?

    Several airlines will allow you to bring pets on board when you’re flying from Raleigh to California. American Airlines is one of the best in the business when it comes to accommodating pets. Your pet just needs to be small enough to fit into a soft-sided 18 x 11 x 11-inch kennel, and you must have a health certificate for your pet from your veterinarian issued within 10 days of your travel date.

  • What steps can I take to make a flight from Raleigh to California more sustainable?

    To make a flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to California more sustainable, look into flying with an airline like American Airlines or Delta. They’ve both committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050 and have strong sustainability plans in place.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from Raleigh to California?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from Raleigh to California.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from Raleigh to California?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight from Raleigh to California is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from Raleigh to California?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly from Raleigh to California with an airline and back with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from Raleigh to California?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying from Raleigh to California up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

  • What is the cheapest time of day to fly to California?

    The cheapest time of day to fly to California is generally at night, when round-trip flights cost $414 on average. Morning departures are around 15% cheaper than evening flights, on average. The most expensive time of day to fly to California is generally in the evening, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $499.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to California

  • Before you even think about trying to book a flight from Raleigh, NC, to California, you should decide which airport in California you want to fly to. You’ll have to ability to take off from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and head to a number of airports in California, including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and San Diego International Airport (SAN). Smaller airports like Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) and Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) will also be options.
  • You’ll be able to fly from Raleigh to quite a few airports in California, but unfortunately, you won’t be able to fly direct in most cases. Many airlines, such as American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, and United Airlines, will make at least one stop between North Carolina and California. Some will also make two or even three stops. Make it your mission to find a flight plan that only includes one stop whenever possible.
  • No matter how many stops a flight makes between Raleigh and one of the airports in California, you will likely spend at least 8 or 9 hours on a plane when you’re on your way to the West Coast. Because of this, you should look into the possibility of securing a first-class ticket for your flight. Some airlines like Frontier won't offer true first-class tickets, but others, like American Airlines and Delta, will be more than happy to extend first-class options.
  • Most of the airlines that travel from Raleigh to California will charge you baggage fees if you choose to check bags at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. American Airlines, for example, will charge you for each bag you check. You might be able to trim your travel costs by leaving your luggage at home and only bringing a carry-on bag that doesn't exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches.
  • Raleigh-Durham International Airport isn’t a hub for Delta, but it is considered a “focus city” for the airline. It’s why Delta tends to have more flights taking off from RDU and heading to California than other airlines. You may want to take advantage of this since it could help you find more convenient flight times.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from Raleigh to California

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Raleigh to California. Airline scores are aggregated from all reviews left by passengers on KAYAK after flying with an airline. KAYAK doesn’t show reviews that are older than 5 years. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from Raleigh to California? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.0
SouthwestOverall score based on 4300 reviews
8.1Boarding
7.5Entertainment
7.0Food
8.6Crew
8.0Comfort
Airline reviews

The charges were ridiculous for an hour flight and the turbulence was very scary.

2.0 MediocreDarcey, Feb 2026
SAN - SJC
Read more Southwest reviews

The charges were ridiculous for an hour flight and the turbulence was very scary.

3 hour delay. Had to change plans and was still delayed.

The flight crew was extremely rude and especially not helpful when our flight was delayed.

The boarding and seat assignment system no longer works for me, but I know it is being replaced. Otherwise, I am good with the overall experience.

The lead steward kept singing about "San Francisco" and hotel California---more annoying than humorous....needs work. Flight was smooth and on time.

Still a fan of open seating. Flight was on schedule and arrived on time. The 737 MAX is very comfortable.

San Diego airport is brand new, spacious, airy and very smooth checkin at SW baggage drop.

Ever since Southwest starting charging for bags, passengers don't want to pay to check their bags, so the gate agents have to beg people to check their roller bags now because there's "not enough space". This was a terrible business move by Southwest.

Delays delays delays. Late taking off, late landing, wait for a gate, etc.

Connecting flight is on time and boarding was a breeze!

Delta continues to set the benchmark for traveler-friendly service with minimal disruption and clear communication within the mainland US (coast to coast). I am consistently pleased to be a Delta customer, and this experience once again met my expectations. There was a brief delay departing from MIA due to a technical issue that required the aircraft to return to the gate. However, the situation was handled professionally and transparently. Fortunately, my planned layover allowed ample buffer time, so the adjustment caused no stress. Overall, another smooth and reassuring experience.

Awesome! On time flight, early arrival, and a complimentary upgrade!

Was forced to check in my small carry on, even though I informed the crew it has very fragile items inside

They double booked seats, the gate staff changed my ticket as I was boarding she went over to the computer and changed it without telling me. She messed up an entire three row section for me and others. Other travelers were outraged but the gate staff were so rude, so condescending saying it wasn't their problem to solve. I would rate this a zero if I could. Will not fly Delta again I'll stick with United and American.

I usually get upgraded so my experience is usually amazing. I did not get upgraded this time - which was fine - but the wifi had issues, the monitors were going in & out, & (though not Delta's fault) one of the gentlemen next to me desperately needed a shower.

I really liked the legroom. I am 6’4”.a at For some reason our seats were not together and using the app to fix it didn’t work. Passengers were nice enough to move for us but you should absolutely ensure a parent sits with their child.

Staff were friendly and happy. Delta could make sure passengers that don't have the app know of changes. Without Kayak I would not have known about the change of gate or the delay. Kayak was faster to notify me.

They changed planes and the new plane couldn’t carry enough fuel to fly across the country so we had to stop in Kansas City to refuel. Flight was delayed .

Flight was too crowded and seats are too small, especially since passengrs are getting larger. Having a middle seat is ALWAYS tough! Woman on my left was large & kept creeping in to my space. Flight personnel were great! Have more savory rather than sweet snacks please.

The crew took good care of us. The flight from ATL to SFO is a longer one, and there were multiple beverage offerings. I like the 757's that Delta uses. Good airplane that is comfortable. I do wish Delta would separate Priority boarding from the better seats. I would gladly take a smaller seat in an open row than be jammed into Comfort just to get priority boarding, just to make sure I don't have to check a bag.

Overall we had a good experience during our flight from San Francisco to Houston.

it was a very short flight so my expectations were low.

Very disappointing given gate agent behavior. Filed a formal complaint with United.

Flight delayed. WiFi connectivity very poor if not existant. Last minute arrival forced me to run to catch my connection.

The power at the seat didn't work and the seat itself was difficult to adjust - this was a business class seat. Flight attendant gave me miles to compensate. The attendant was very professional and on top of his game the entire flight.

the whole trip was smooth, and as comfortable as flying is these days. flight crew was friendly and very courteous and helpful.

First class ticket gets you a choice of chips or nuts. . Just like economy Southwest. Also no screen in the seats. This is first class???!

Flight arrived 30 min early and bag was waiting at the baggage pickup. United Club HNL was one of the nicest in the system

Yet another flight in which beverage and snack service was skipped. Other that that, firmly mediocre. Landed early, to gate late due to congestion at the gates. Airline's fault or airports fault: unknown.

Teeny tiny bathrooms, crew was not realistic about when we'd arrive.

The flight was significantly delayed for 6.5 hours because of snow. There was no communication once the plane returned to the gate regarding when the flight would resume. Other flights were departing while our flight was being unloaded for reasons unknown. Our flight also seemed out of the queue regarding further deicing, refueling, and waiting to Taxi to the runway.

They are always late and seats was also not having working charger

did not have enough meal for first class passengers so offer us snack

Amazing I love American. I’ll never fly anyone else if I can help it.

Everything about the flight was lovely. My only suggestion would be to offer a few more options of tv series from Apple TV or HBO.

After the door had been closed, the cockpit makes an announcement that catering is running late and it is not the airline's fault. It is their fault in the sense that we had to sit for 2 hours or more when we could have stayed in the terminal. Poor communications between catering and airline. This caused a young man to lose his temper and he went storming out hitting objects. He had complained to the gate agent that he had already waited at the gate 7 hours and when can the airplane leave? Airilnes do a poor job of explaining delays, maintenance issues, etc. whereas being truthful may gain more sympathy or understanding.

We were told the flight was delayed 5 times, then it was moved to the next day.

The experience with American Airlines was good, although the Philippines Airlines flight was much better (better seats, better food, better entertainment options, overall better). Again, the MIA to LAX flight was fine, but nothing in comparison to the comfort and accommodations of the Philippines Airlines flight from LAX to MNL.

Loved the crew . Absolutely no complaints. Except for luggage lost

Wish some foods provided rather than just biscuit/cookie for flight more than 2 hours

Gate not determined until I got to the airport - hard to plan the trip to the airport.

Our flight was canceled. I will never use Kayak nor Frontier for travel again. The entire experience was a headache.

Frontier.. nickel and dime add-ons. Flight late, on time, late again, last minute gate change, arrival gate required a shuttle to the terminal. They sure keep you guessing.. if you like a little chaos and airport anxiety, this is the airline for you!

This is my second time flying with Frontier. My current experience was very favorable. The staff from the gate to the plane was friendly, warm and professional. The food options lacked in my opinion. This area needs some attention in my opinion.

There was no food and no entertainment, so I'm not sure why these are even in the survey, as my understanding is frontier does not ever offer food without a few, not even a snack, and there are no screens so unless the flight safety talk is our entertainment why ask how we liked it?. One of the flight attendants say in the back of the plane as people filed in to their seats, yelling orders about where to put baggage and telling people to hurry up. It was the least professional experience I've ever had on a flight.

Very well recently! Frontier is improving and less harrassing customer on luggages! Positive!

Good for a budget airline! It was easy to get on, staff was really nice. Can’t say anything about the food or entertainment because it wasn’t available, which is fine.

I am writing to express my disappointment with my recent Frontier Airlines flight. I was charged $99 at the gate because my bag was said to be too large, yet once onboard there was no available overhead bin space, and I was required to place the bag under the seat in front of me anyway. This made the charge feel unnecessary and unfair. Additionally, before the flight even took off, I was asked to move from the seat I paid for into a middle seat so another passenger and her cat could have my seat to themselves. I was not offered compensation or an explanation for being moved from a paid seat. Between the unexpected bag fee and being forced to give up my seat, this experience fell well below acceptable customer service standards. I would appreciate a review of this situation and appropriate compensation.

Terrible. The canceled my entire flight when I requested a refund for a trip frontier canceled trip one way.

i was unable to check in the flight. refund requested

Everything you need to know for your flight from Raleigh to California

Information on your arrival and departure airports