RDU - SFO

$163 Find Cheap Flights from Raleigh to San Francisco - Compare and Save

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 San Francisco departing on 10/3. 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

Save 21% or more on flights. Compare deals from all over the web.

Never overpay with our price tracking tools.

Filter searches by price, airline and more to find your best flights.

Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$319
Typical prices: $341-$549
Frontier
Thu 10/15Sun 10/18
RDU - SFO • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$359
Typical prices: $349-$508
United Airlines
Thu 9/17Wed 9/23
RDU - SFO • Non-stop
Advice from real travelers
AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts and KAYAK users. AI can make mistakes.
On this long-haul route, get up and move around during the flight.
At RDU Terminal 2, taxis can be quicker than app pickups after landing.
Expert advice
Expert advice
+1
+1
Expert advice
Expert advice
+1
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines. Average duration is 5h 45m
Direct flights
Direct flights
+1
+1
Direct flights
Direct flights
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $268 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 7h 18m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 3 weeks in advance save around 39% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 9% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
Start a new search
KAYAK searches 100s of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
We hope you love your trip to San Francisco!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Raleigh to San Francisco (RDU-SFO)

 
Here are some of the best deals found on KAYAK recently from the most popular airlines for round-trip flights from Raleigh to San Francisco 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 San Francisco

Thu, Oct 15 - Sun, Oct 18
Frontier Logo
11:56 am - 10:25 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SFO San Francisco
13h 29m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
Frontier Logo
11:59 pm - 9:17 amSFO  San Francisco-RDU Raleigh-Durham
30h 18m2 stops Dallas/Fort Worth Orlando
$319Frontier
Thu, Sep 24 - Mon, Oct 5
Frontier Logo
1:56 pm - 7:48 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SFO San Francisco
8h 52m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Frontier Logo
11:58 pm - 11:35 amSFO  San Francisco-RDU Raleigh-Durham
8h 37m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$320Frontier
Tue, Sep 29 - Tue, Oct 6
Southwest Logo
6:45 am - 2:05 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SFO San Francisco
10h 20m2 stops Nashville Intl San Diego
Southwest Logo
6:45 am - 9:10 pmSFO  San Francisco-RDU Raleigh-Durham
11h 25m2 stops Los Angeles Nashville Intl
$323Southwest
Tue, Nov 17 - Wed, Dec 9
Southwest Logo
4:15 pm - 10:10 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SFO San Francisco
8h 55m2 stops Nashville Intl Denver Intl
Southwest Logo
8:20 am - 9:00 pmSFO  San Francisco-RDU Raleigh-Durham
9h 40m2 stops Los Angeles Nashville Intl
$324Southwest
Thu, Oct 8 - Sun, Oct 11
Multiple Airlines Logo
5:22 pm - 10:40 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SFO San Francisco
8h 18m1 stop San Diego
Multiple Airlines Logo
10:14 pm - 12:21 pmSFO  San Francisco-RDU Raleigh-Durham
11h 07m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$325Multiple Airlines
Tue, Sep 1 - Tue, Sep 8
Multiple Airlines Logo
9:40 am - 11:52 amRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SFO San Francisco
29h 12m1 stop San Diego
Multiple Airlines Logo
5:35 pm - 5:22 pmSFO  San Francisco-RDU Raleigh-Durham
20h 47m1 stop Denver Intl
$326Multiple Airlines
Sat, Sep 5 - Sun, Sep 6
United Airlines Logo
5:09 pm - 10:59 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SFO San Francisco
8h 50m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
United Airlines Logo
11:59 pm - 8:19 amSFO  San Francisco-RDU Raleigh-Durham
5h 20mnonstop
$337United Airlines
Fri, Sep 4 - Sun, Sep 6
United Airlines Logo
6:34 am - 9:20 amRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SFO San Francisco
5h 46mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 5:41 pmSFO  San Francisco-RDU Raleigh-Durham
8h 41m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$337United Airlines
Sat, Nov 21 - Thu, Nov 26
Delta Logo
6:55 am - 1:15 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SFO San Francisco
9h 20m1 stop Seattle/Tacoma Intl
Delta Logo
7:05 am - 5:45 pmSFO  San Francisco-RDU Raleigh-Durham
7h 40m1 stop Los Angeles
$351Delta
Thu, Nov 19 - Thu, Nov 26
Delta Logo
5:30 am - 10:48 amRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SFO San Francisco
8h 18m1 stop Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
Delta Logo
6:00 am - 6:30 pmSFO  San Francisco-RDU Raleigh-Durham
9h 30m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
$379Delta
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for Raleigh to San Francisco flights

Get data-powered insights and trends into flights from Raleigh to San Francisco 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 San Francisco?

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 San Francisco departing in October.

Flight prices are below average for this route right now.

Flights to San Francisco from Raleigh usually cost between $358 and $511 in October.
The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $319 on Frontier (Oct 15-Oct 18).

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

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

If your flying dates are flexible, you should consider flying to San Francisco on a Thursday, as we generally find the cheapest rates on that day for this route. On the other hand, Monday is the most expensive day to fly from Raleigh to San Francisco. For your return ticket, we recommend flying on a Wednesday and avoiding Mondays for the best deals.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Raleigh to San Francisco?

To calculate monthly average prices, KAYAK takes all prices for each month over the last year for round-trip flights from Raleigh to San Francisco, 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 San Francisco is November, where tickets cost $389 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are June and July, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $481 and $461 respectively.

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

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 $445, prices are generally cheapest when you fly direct.

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

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 San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, you should book around 3 weeks before departure, which saves you about 39% compared to booking last minute. For the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 16 weeks before departure.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Raleigh to San Francisco

 
AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts. AI can make mistakes.
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Jessica Macdonald

Jessica Macdonald

Expert on RDU

Currently based in Scotland after living in South Africa and the United States, Jessica has been writing travel and aviation content for more than 10 years. She regularly contributes to Travel + Leisure and TripSavvy, and has had work published by Condé Nast Traveller and The Independent. She has traveled to more than 50 countries across six continents.

Blane Bachelor

Blane Bachelor

Expert on SFO

Blane Bachelor is a journalist and editor specializing in travel and aviation who writes regularly for top global outlets. Born and raised in Florida, Blane has worked and lived in four countries, including the Netherlands, where she’s currently based with her family. Her favorite way to get to know a new destination is by running or riding a bike around town – or hearing a spooky ghost story about local history. She will always choose the window seat.

Good to know

Low season

May

Cheapest flight

$163
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 6% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly with an average 12% increase in price.
Flight from Raleigh to San Francisco

When to book flights from Raleigh to San Francisco

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Raleigh to San Francisco based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price
KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

Flights from Raleigh to San Francisco: the best tips from KAYAK users' own experiences

Insights shared by verified travelers who flew the route from Raleigh to San Francisco 
ManishFlew with Air New Zealand-Apr 2026
Long haul so make sure to get up and move around a bit.
HartajFlew with United Airlines-Dec 2024
RDU long-term parking can add 30-70 mins to your departure time. At terminal 2 in RDU, getting a taxi can take 2-5 mins, vs. waiting 10-30 mins for a car app pickup. :)

FAQs for booking flights from Raleigh to San Francisco

  • Are there hotels at Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU)?

    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.

  • How can I fly from RDU to SFO?

    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.

  • What can I do at SFO while waiting for an airport transfer?

    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.

  • What services can passengers with limited mobility have access to at SFO?

    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.

  • What is the cheapest flight from Raleigh to San Francisco?

    In the last 5 days, the lowest price for a flight from Raleigh to San Francisco was $163 for a one-way ticket and $319 for a round-trip.

  • Do I need a passport to fly between Raleigh and San Francisco?

    No

  • Which airports will I be using when flying from Raleigh to San Francisco?

    Raleigh airport is called Raleigh-Durham and the only airport in San Francisco is San Francisco.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from Raleigh to San Francisco?

    All the following airlines offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the Raleigh to San Francisco flight route: Delta, JetBlue, American Airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines.

  • Which aircraft models fly most regularly from Raleigh to San Francisco?

    The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the Raleigh to San Francisco flight route.

  • Which airline alliances offer flights from Raleigh to San Francisco?

    SkyTeam, oneworld, and Star Alliance are the airline alliances operating flights between Raleigh and San Francisco, with SkyTeam being the most commonly used for this route.

  • On which days can I fly direct from Raleigh to San Francisco?

    There are nonstop flights from Raleigh to San Francisco on a daily basis.

  • Which is the best airline for flights from Raleigh to San Francisco, Southwest or Alaska Airlines?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Raleigh to San Francisco are Southwest and Alaska Airlines. With an average price for the route of $400 and an overall rating of 8.0, Southwest is the most popular choice. Alaska Airlines is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $315 and an overall rating of 7.9.

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

    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 San Francisco.

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

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to San Francisco from Raleigh 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 San Francisco?

    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 to San Francisco with an airline and back to Raleigh with another airline. Booking your flights between Raleigh and SFO can sometimes prove cheaper using this method.

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

    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 to San Francisco from Raleigh up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

KAYAK’s top tips for finding a cheap flight from Raleigh to San Francisco

  • Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $280 or less one-way and $401 or less round-trip.
  • If you are traveling through Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU), you can check their website for real-time information on the wait times. This information is vital in helping you plan how early to arrive at the airport before your travel. However, it is critical for passengers to note that the recommended arrival time at the airport is at least 2h before the scheduled flight time.
  • RDU offers multiple parking areas. Therefore, when traveling through the airport, you don’t have to worry about your car. The airport provides long-term economy parking spots and short-term parking options. The parking lots are located at Terminals 1 and 2, hence easily accessible.
  • Take advantage of the several top-tier airline lounges at your arrival airport, SFO, such as Emirates Lounge, United Club lounges, Alaska Airlines Lounges, and many more. The lounges offer a serene and beautiful relaxing environment after a long flight. The best part is they provide peerless services such as showers and complimentary Wi-Fi.
  • San Francisco Airport (SFO) is pet friendly, offering designated areas for pet relief. So, passengers traveling with their pets can take advantage of these locations to help their pets relieve themselves. The pet relief areas are located inside and outside of the airport terminals. Also, they are equipped with fire hydrants, disposable bags, and sinks.
  • You will find comfortable and private nursing suites for passengers traveling with infants in both your departure and arrival airports. At RDU, the nursing suites are located in both terminals. On the other hand, SFO has its nursing suites in pre-and post-security areas.

Prefer to fly direct from Raleigh to San Francisco?

 
Direct data is based off flight results for the next 60 days. Find direct flights from all airlines flying direct from Raleigh-Durham to San Francisco.
Find which airlines fly direct from Raleigh-Durham Airport to San Francisco Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Raleigh-Durham to San Francisco

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San Francisco to Raleigh-Durham

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Wednesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

Everything you need to know for your flight from Raleigh to San Francisco

Information on your arrival and departure airports