$178 Find Cheap Flights from Raleigh to San Francisco - Compare and Save

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

• Earliest: departs at 6:20 am and lands at 12:21 pm
• Latest: departs at 6:47 pm and lands at 12:48 am.

The flight takes about 6h 01m.

Four cabin classes are available on flights from Raleigh to San Francisco:

• Economy Class
• Premium Economy Class
• Business Class
• First Class

Prices vary by airline.

A nonstop flight from Raleigh to San Francisco takes 6h 01m, covering 2,393 miles.

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.

Round-trip flights from Raleigh to San Francisco range from $347 to $548, with an average of $419 over the past 12 months. Anything below $347 counts as a good deal.

Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 49% above the $419 route average. Book 16 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $275 round-trip via Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX), compared to $449 for nonstop.

There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $40–$80 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by United Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Boeing 737 MAX 9 variants.

Morning is the busiest departure period on Raleigh to San Francisco flights, with 50% of flights leaving in that window. Evening departures account for 50%, afternoon flights for 0%, and night flights for 0%.

Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $357 to $2,905. That means the highest observed fare was about 8x higher than the lowest one.

One-way fares from Raleigh to San Francisco are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $188, which is 30% below the typical average for this route.

San Francisco Airport (SFO) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $15 for economy cars. Top options include:

• Thrifty
• Europcar
• Dollar
• Hertz
• Fox

Flights from Raleigh to San Francisco usually depart from Raleigh-Durham (RDU) and arrive at San Francisco (SFO).

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

• Charlotte Douglas (CLT) - 27% of one-stop connections
• Denver Intl (DEN) - 20% of one-stop connections
• Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) - 16% of one-stop connections
• Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - 7% of one-stop connections

Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 27% on flights from Raleigh to San Francisco. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at $389 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $526, a difference of $137.

KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

Only United Airlines operates flights between Raleigh and San Francisco.

Flying via Lambert-St Louis (STL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 7h 19m, compared with 7h 34m via Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) and 7h 38m via Charlotte Douglas (CLT).

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

Some of the most popular sights in San Francisco are Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square and Moscone Center. These are among the most viewed places in San Francisco on KAYAK.

Among airlines operating Raleigh to San Francisco flights:

• United Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

• United Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

Yes, there are various top-rated hotels near Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU), providing comfort and convenience to passengers. If you have scheduled an early morning flight, you can opt for Fairfield Inn & Suites. The hotel is easily accessible and offers excellent services, including complimentary parking and WI-FI. Alternatively, you can choose from the many lists of hotels near the airport offering top-notch services depending on your budget. These hotels include Tru by Hilton Durham Hotel, Aloft Raleigh Hotel, and Hyatt House Raleigh Hotel.

Several flights are operating between RDU and SFO. The cheapest and best nonstop flights operating in this are Delta Airlines and United Airlines. Furthermore, you can choose a one-stop option, usually with stops at JFK, ATL, SLC, and DTW. However, this will add about 2-3h to your overall flight time. It is also critical for passengers to note that each airline has its own rules and regulations, so ensure to check them out before deciding on which flight to choose.

There are several things you can do at SFO, such as view art, take a shower at many lounges in the airport, visit the spa and have a massage after the long flight. For passengers who love shopping, there are various shopping stalls that you can take advantage of and grab a last-minute souvenir.

SFO has partnered with ADA, which provides exceptional services to people with limited mobility. Passengers should contact their airlines before their flight schedule to have them arrange for assistance, including a wheelchair. This way, you will have your assistance waiting when you land.