RDU - SMF

$124 Find Cheap Flights from Raleigh to Sacramento - Compare and Save

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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$238
Typical prices: $372-$538
Frontier
Wed 9/12Wed 9/19
RDU - SMF • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way
$124
Typical prices: $208-$360
Frontier
Sun 10/14
RDU - SMF • 1 stop
Nonstop flights
There are currently no direct flights between Raleigh and Sacramento. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 20 weeks in advance save around 59% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 29% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $324 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 6h 54m (one-way)
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Insights
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Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Raleigh to Sacramento (RDU-SMF)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Raleigh to Sacramento

Sat, Sep 12 - Sat, Sep 19
Frontier Logo
6:17 pm - 10:40 amRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SMF Sacramento Intl
19h 23m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
11:53 am - 12:31 pmSMF  Sacramento Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
21h 38m1 stop Denver Intl
$238Frontier
Mon, Sep 28 - Tue, Oct 6
Frontier Logo
6:17 pm - 10:58 amRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SMF Sacramento Intl
19h 41m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
6:23 pm - 9:09 amSMF  Sacramento Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
11h 46m2 stops Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl Orlando
$245Frontier
Thu, Oct 22 - Mon, Oct 26
Southwest Logo
7:20 pm - 1:00 amRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SMF Sacramento Intl
8h 40m1 stop Chicago Midway
Southwest Logo
9:50 pm - 9:40 amSMF  Sacramento Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
8h 50m1 stop Baltimore/Washington
$337Southwest
Mon, Nov 2 - Mon, Nov 2
Southwest Logo
6:35 am - 11:10 amRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SMF Sacramento Intl
7h 35m1 stop Lambert-St Louis
Southwest Logo
2:45 pm - 12:50 amSMF  Sacramento Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
7h 05m1 stop Denver Intl
$337Southwest
Wed, Dec 9 - Wed, Jan 6
American Airlines Logo
2:12 pm - 8:04 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SMF Sacramento Intl
8h 52m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
American Airlines Logo
11:04 am - 11:44 pmSMF  Sacramento Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
9h 40m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$337American Airlines
Wed, Dec 9 - Wed, Jan 6
American Airlines Logo
8:54 am - 1:58 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SMF Sacramento Intl
8h 04m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
American Airlines Logo
12:58 pm - 11:30 pmSMF  Sacramento Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
7h 32m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
$337American Airlines
Thu, Oct 8 - Sat, Oct 10
Delta Logo
6:30 am - 12:20 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SMF Sacramento Intl
8h 50m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Delta Logo
6:13 am - 6:28 pmSMF  Sacramento Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
9h 15m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
$337Delta
Wed, Sep 16 - Wed, Sep 23
Delta Logo
6:15 am - 12:17 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SMF Sacramento Intl
9h 02m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Delta Logo
11:17 am - 11:59 pmSMF  Sacramento Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
9h 42m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
$337Delta
Sat, Oct 3 - Sat, Oct 10
United Airlines Logo
11:30 am - 6:48 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SMF Sacramento Intl
10h 18m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
United Airlines Logo
5:15 am - 3:49 pmSMF  Sacramento Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
7h 34m1 stop Houston George Bush Intcntl
$337United Airlines
Thu, Sep 10 - Mon, Sep 14
United Airlines Logo
5:05 pm - 10:29 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SMF Sacramento Intl
8h 24m1 stop Houston George Bush Intcntl
United Airlines Logo
8:19 pm - 8:19 amSMF  Sacramento Intl-RDU Raleigh-Durham
9h 00m1 stop San Francisco
$337United Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Raleigh to Sacramento flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Raleigh to Sacramento with more confidence.

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

Round-trip flights from Raleigh to Sacramento start at $238. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $372 to $538. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $238 on Frontier.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Raleigh to Sacramento?

Thursday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Raleigh to Sacramento, it is 9% cheaper than the average day. Sunday is the most expensive day with flight prices 13% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

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

  • January is the cheapest month to fly from Raleigh to Sacramento at $315 round-trip.
  • December ($606) and June ($524) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 92% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Raleigh to Sacramento the cheapest?

Flights from Raleigh to Sacramento are cheapest 20 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 59% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for Raleigh to Sacramento flights

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

$124
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 29% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 1% increase in price.
Flight from Raleigh to Sacramento

When to book flights from Raleigh to Sacramento

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Raleigh to Sacramento based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your Raleigh to Sacramento flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • Which airline allows passengers to come on board with carry-on baggage for the flight from Raleigh (RDU) to Sacramento (SMF)?

    When you are traveling from Raleigh (RDU) to Sacramento (SMF) and don't want to have to check a bag, American Airline allows you on board with one carry-on bag and one personal item.

  • Which is the suitable airline to book for the reduced mobility traveler going between Raleigh and Sacramento?

    For the reduced mobility passengers flying from Raleigh (RDU) to Sacramento (SMF), Frontier Airline is an appropriate airline to book. This airline offers the wheelchair services that will make it easier to navigate the airport from check-in to boarding. Its on-board staff is always ready and willing to offer assistance whenever it’s needed.

  • How can I easily connect to the city center from Sacramento Airport?

    Bus is the common transportation that will get you out of Sacramento Airport to the city center. SacRT's Route 142 bus line is the easiest means of getting you downtown. You can also consider airport express shuttle bus. It can also get you to the city center after your arrival at the airport. In both cases, though, you are limited to the bus or shuttle schedule. For more flexibility, consider a ride-share service or rental car.

  • Which is the mosteco-friendly airline I can book when flying to Sacramento (SMF) from Raleigh (RDU)?

    Spirits Airline is one of the most eco-friendly airlines you can book when you are flying from Raleigh to Sacramento. This airline has an increased fuel efficiency that is measured by available seat mile per gallon.

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Raleigh to Sacramento?

    Flights from Raleigh to Sacramento usually depart from Raleigh-Durham (RDU) and arrive at Sacramento Intl (SMF).

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Raleigh to Sacramento?

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from Raleigh to Sacramento:

    • Economy Class
    • First Class

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Raleigh to Sacramento pass through?

    One-stop flights from Raleigh to Sacramento most commonly connect through:

    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 16% of one-stop connections
    • Charlotte Douglas (CLT) - 14% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 13% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago Midway (MDW) - 12% of one-stop connections

    Denver Intl (DEN) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Raleigh to Sacramento?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 21% on the Raleigh to Sacramento route. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at $405 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $507, a difference of $102. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • What popular places can I visit in Sacramento?

    Some of the most popular sights in Sacramento are Golden 1 Center, UC Davis Medical Center and Sacramento Capitol Park. These are among the most viewed places in Sacramento on KAYAK.

  • How long is a flight from Raleigh to Sacramento?

    A nonstop flight from Raleigh to Sacramento takes 0h 00m, covering 2,338 miles.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Raleigh to Sacramento?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Raleigh to Sacramento:

    • Earliest: departs at 12:00 am and lands at 12:00 am
    • Latest: departs at 12:00 am and lands at 12:00 am.

    The flight takes about 0h 00m.

  • How expensive are last-minute Raleigh to Sacramento flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 79% above the route average of $445. Book 20 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Raleigh to Sacramento?

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID, or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

  • Have flight prices from Raleigh to Sacramento changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $238 to $1,663. That means the highest observed fare was about 7x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from Raleigh to Sacramento looking right now?

    One-way fares from Raleigh to Sacramento are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $166, which is 33% below the typical average for this route.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Raleigh to Sacramento?

    Flying via Lambert-St Louis (STL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 6h 54m, compared with 7h 26m via Charlotte Douglas (CLT) and 7h 36m via Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX).

  • What is the time difference between Raleigh and Sacramento?

    Sacramento is 3 hours behind Raleigh (Pacific Time vs Eastern Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What car rental options are available at Sacramento Intl Airport (SMF)?

    Sacramento Intl Airport (SMF) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $24 for economy cars. Top options include:
    · Thrifty
    · Dollar
    · Budget
    · Hertz
    · Payless

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Raleigh to Sacramento flight?

    Round-trip flights from Raleigh to Sacramento range from $372 to $538, with an average of $445 over the past 12 months. Anything below $372 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking Raleigh to Sacramento flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Thursday departure instead of Sunday. On this route, Thursday flights average $405 - about $102 less than Sunday (20% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 20 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 59% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Raleigh to Sacramento trip for January. Fares historically average $315 round-trip in that month - typically $291 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) and Sacramento International Airport (SMF) are the main as departure and arrival airports respectively for most of the flights flying from Raleigh to Sacramento. Choosing of this route for your journey will enable you book your flight with any of the five top airlines serving it. These airlines include JetBlue, American, United, Frontier, and Spirit Airlines.
  • If you are among those pet-loving travelers who like flying in the company of their furry friend, you can choose a pet-friendly airline when flying from Raleigh to Sacramento. United Airline allows its passengers to come on board with their pets so long as the carrier fits underneath the seat in front of you.
  • When traveling from Raleigh (RDU) to Sacramento (SMF) on Frontier Airlines, you will have one stop along your way before reaching your destination airport. Denver International Airport (DEN) is the main layover airport you will have along your way. There is also the option of having two stops or flying direct depending on the airline you book.
  • When you are planning to travel with your family from Raleigh (RDU) to Sacramento (SMF) with your kids, JetBlue Airline is a kid-friendly choice. It has amenities like in-flight entertainment appropriate for kids, such as kids` games and kids` movies to enhance your family's journey.
  • When you are in Raleigh downtown and you need to reach Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) for your flight to Sacramento, you can take a bus. Buses are the most reliable and convenient means of transport operating between Raleigh downtown and the airport.

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

Information on your arrival and departure airports