RDU - SFO

$163 Find Cheap Flights from Raleigh to San Francisco

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 3/13. 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

KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to San Francisco

 
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Raleigh to San Francisco.
These are the airlines KAYAK users have selected most often from within our search results in flight searches from Raleigh to San Francisco.
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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$288
Overall average: $389
Delta
Thu 4/23Sat 4/25
RDU - SFO • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$289
Typical prices: $360-$621
United Airlines
Tue 3/31Wed 4/8
RDU - SFO • Non-stop
Advice from real travelers
AI-powered summary based on content written by travel experts. AI can make mistakes.
RDU offers free Wi-Fi for 48 hours to stay connected.
Use BART from SFO for cost-effective city transfers.
Expert advice
Expert advice
Expert advice
Expert advice
Top airlines
American Airlines
Cheapest • from $288 (round-trip)
Southwest
Best reviews • 8.0 score
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
+1
Airline reviews
Airline reviews
+1
Nonstop flights
Every day
You can fly direct with United Airlines. Average duration is 6h 08m
Direct flights
Direct flights
+1
+1
Direct flights
Direct flights
+1
Top layover airports
Orlando (MCO)
Cheapest • Avg $197 (round-trip)
Salt Lake City (SLC)
Shortest trip • 7h 45m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to book
3 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 3 weeks in advance save around 36% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
Insights
Insights
When to travel
July
Cheapest • 11% price drop
June
Most popular
Good to know
Good to know
+1
+1
Good to know
Good to know
+1
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Flight Deals
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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, Apr 23 - Sat, Apr 25
Delta Logo
6:00 am - 2:05 pm
RDU
-
SFO
11h 05m
1 stop
Delta Logo
10:32 am - 11:49 pm
SFO
-
RDU
10h 17m
2 stops
$288Delta
Fri, Apr 3 - Tue, Apr 7
United Airlines Logo
6:25 pm - 9:26 pm
RDU
-
SFO
6h 01mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
7:10 am - 3:28 pm
SFO
-
RDU
5h 18mnonstop
$289United Airlines
Tue, Mar 31 - Sat, Apr 11
Frontier Logo
6:50 am - 7:14 pm
RDU
-
SFO
15h 24m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
6:00 am - 5:52 pm
SFO
-
RDU
8h 52m
1 stop
$290Frontier
Mon, Mar 16 - Mon, Mar 23
Frontier Logo
6:22 pm - 8:09 pm
RDU
-
SFO
28h 47m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
9:04 pm - 5:48 pm
SFO
-
RDU
17h 44m
1 stop
$291Frontier
Tue, Mar 31 - Wed, Apr 1
Frontier Logo
6:50 am - 7:14 pm
RDU
-
SFO
15h 24m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
6:00 am - 11:43 pm
SFO
-
RDU
14h 43m
2 stops
$293Frontier
Tue, May 12 - Fri, Jul 10
Southwest Logo
1:25 pm - 9:25 pm
RDU
-
SFO
11h 00m
1 stop
Southwest Logo
11:40 pm - 10:35 am
SFO
-
RDU
7h 55m
1 stop
$294Southwest
Thu, Apr 23 - Tue, Apr 28
United Airlines Logo
4:45 pm - 7:46 pm
RDU
-
SFO
6h 01mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
6:33 am - 5:18 pm
SFO
-
RDU
7h 45m
1 stop
$295United Airlines
Tue, Apr 7 - Mon, Apr 20
Delta Logo
6:59 am - 4:04 pm
RDU
-
SFO
12h 05m
1 stop
Delta Logo
10:55 pm - 8:49 am
SFO
-
RDU
6h 54m
1 stop
$296Delta
Sun, Mar 22 - Wed, Mar 25
Frontier Logo
10:07 pm - 12:28 am
RDU
-
SFO
29h 21m
1 stop
Frontier Logo
9:04 pm - 5:48 pm
SFO
-
RDU
17h 44m
1 stop
$297Frontier
Sun, Mar 22 - Tue, Mar 31
Multiple Airlines Logo
10:17 pm - 7:14 pm
RDU
-
SFO
47h 57m
2 stops
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 5:48 pm
SFO
-
RDU
8h 48m
1 stop
$298Multiple Airlines
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.

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, Sunday is the most expensive day to fly from Raleigh to San Francisco. For your return ticket, we recommend flying on a Wednesday and avoiding Sundays 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 July, where tickets cost $352 (return) on average. On the other hand, the most expensive months are February and March, where the average cost of round-trip tickets is $449 and $443 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.

Yes, flying with a layover may cost you more time, but you can also save money on the route, with a 1 stop layover the cheapest option at $410 on average.

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 36% 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 seasonSeptember
Cheapest flight$164
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 2% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 2% lower on average.
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.

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 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from Raleigh to San Francisco was $163 for a one-way ticket and $288 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?

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

  • 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?

    oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance are the airline alliances operating flights between Raleigh and San Francisco, with oneworld 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 Delta?

    The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from Raleigh to San Francisco are Southwest and Delta. With an average price for the route of $386 and an overall rating of 8.0, Southwest is the most popular choice. Delta is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $335 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 $213 or less one-way and $408 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

Reviews of the top 5 airlines serving from Raleigh to San Francisco

 
See real verified KAYAK customer reviews for airlines flying from Raleigh to San Francisco. 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 San Francisco? 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 4302 reviews
8.6Crew
8.0Comfort
7.5Entertainment
8.1Boarding
7.0Food
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!

There’s not much to say about a one hour flight. This is a connection from LA to RNO that I missed the previous night due to a mechanical check delay on my originating flight from JFK to LAX. The short flight itself was fine. Instructions from the pilot and crew were per usual. The coffee was barely lukewarm, which possibly was purposeful so we would down it quickly. Bags were already on carousel upon reaching baggage claim, which was excellent.

Everything was good except wifi and a leaking drink chiller. The floor was all wet and my bag was soaked. Did not notice until debarking. Have not heard back from Delta. Even though this was leg one of an international flight in first class, they denied access to their Sky Club - very disappointing!

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.

Awful - both legs. The check in was awful, getting on the plane required walking down a spiral staircase (dangerous), then taking a bus about 5 miles out from the terminal. The seat was broken (I was in business), there was no internet during the flight (both legs). The aircraft was very old. I saw rust in some place, tape holding things up in the bathroom. This was an unacceptable experience for such a long haul flight.

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.

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

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.

Flight was late - I was downgraded from first class to coach

United needs to step up their game. Delayed flight leaving Seattle, San Francisco. Older aircraft, not very comfortable.

7 hours delayed due to operational issues on United’s end. Basically laziness.

The internet service I paid for didn’t work at all and the flight crew was not very friendly.

Smooth flight. From the early boarding and all were on board before departure time and arrived early in ONT. Great crew. Thank you!!!!

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

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 San Francisco

Information on your arrival and departure airports