SAN - RDU

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$203
Typical prices: $262-$396
Alaska Airlines, Frontier
Tue 10/2Fri 10/5
SAN - RDU • Non-stop
Cheapest non-stop
$210
Typical prices: $244-$391
Alaska Airlines, Breeze Airways
Tue 11/6Thu 11/8
SAN - RDU • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with Alaska Airlines and Breeze Airways. Average duration is 4h 58m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 92% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 24 weeks in advance save around 49% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 22% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $277 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 7h 05m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to Raleigh!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San Diego to Raleigh (SAN-RDU)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from San Diego to Raleigh

Fri, Oct 2 - Mon, Oct 5
Multiple Airlines Logo
10:07 am - 6:10 pmSAN  San Diego-RDU Raleigh-Durham
5h 03mnonstop
Multiple Airlines Logo
11:55 am - 6:00 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SAN San Diego
9h 05m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
$203Multiple Airlines
Fri, Sep 25 - Mon, Sep 28
Multiple Airlines Logo
10:07 am - 6:10 pmSAN  San Diego-RDU Raleigh-Durham
5h 03mnonstop
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:17 pm - 11:51 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SAN San Diego
8h 34m1 stop Denver Intl
$203Multiple Airlines
Tue, Oct 6 - Sat, Oct 10
Frontier Logo
4:54 pm - 5:22 pmSAN  San Diego-RDU Raleigh-Durham
21h 28m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
5:19 pm - 11:56 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SAN San Diego
9h 37m1 stop Denver Intl
$211Frontier
Thu, Sep 24 - Fri, Sep 25
Frontier Logo
6:45 pm - 11:10 amSAN  San Diego-RDU Raleigh-Durham
13h 25m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
Frontier Logo
6:17 pm - 11:51 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SAN San Diego
8h 34m1 stop Denver Intl
$211Frontier
Fri, Oct 2 - Mon, Oct 5
Alaska Airlines Logo
10:07 am - 6:10 pmSAN  San Diego-RDU Raleigh-Durham
5h 03mnonstop
Alaska Airlines Logo
5:22 pm - 7:47 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SAN San Diego
5h 25mnonstop
$217Alaska Airlines
Fri, Sep 25 - Mon, Sep 28
Alaska Airlines Logo
10:07 am - 6:10 pmSAN  San Diego-RDU Raleigh-Durham
5h 03mnonstop
Alaska Airlines Logo
5:50 pm - 8:09 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SAN San Diego
5h 19mnonstop
$217Alaska Airlines
Thu, Sep 24 - Tue, Sep 29
Breeze Airways Logo
12:37 pm - 8:32 pmSAN  San Diego-RDU Raleigh-Durham
4h 55mnonstop
Breeze Airways Logo
9:48 am - 12:37 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SAN San Diego
5h 49mnonstop
$217Breeze Airways
Tue, Sep 22 - Tue, Sep 29
Breeze Airways Logo
1:22 pm - 9:17 pmSAN  San Diego-RDU Raleigh-Durham
4h 55mnonstop
Breeze Airways Logo
9:48 am - 12:37 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SAN San Diego
5h 49mnonstop
$219Breeze Airways
Wed, Dec 30 - Tue, Jan 5
United Airlines Logo
10:40 pm - 9:56 amSAN  San Diego-RDU Raleigh-Durham
8h 16m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
United Airlines Logo
4:51 pm - 9:53 pmRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SAN San Diego
8h 02m1 stop Houston George Bush Intcntl
$237United Airlines
Mon, Oct 26 - Wed, Oct 28
United Airlines Logo
6:26 pm - 5:33 amSAN  San Diego-RDU Raleigh-Durham
8h 07m1 stop San Francisco
United Airlines Logo
6:15 am - 11:27 amRDU  Raleigh-Durham-SAN San Diego
8h 12m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$247United Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for San Diego to Raleigh flights

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

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

Thursday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Diego to Raleigh, it is 11% cheaper than the average day. Sunday is the most expensive day with flight prices 28% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

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

  • September is the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Raleigh at $256 round-trip.
  • December ($396) and June ($377) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 54% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from San Diego to Raleigh the cheapest?

Flights from San Diego to Raleigh are cheapest 24 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 49% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from San Diego to Raleigh

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Brandon Schultz

Brandon Schultz

Expert on SAN

Brandon Schultz is an award-winning food and travel writer based in New York City. His work has appeared in Forbes, AAA, Thrillist, Travel + Leisure, and The Daily Meal, among many others, and he is the author of 6 books, including 3 cookbooks.

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.

Key details for San Diego to Raleigh flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$99
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 5% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 3% lower on average.
Flight from San Diego to Raleigh

When to book flights from San Diego to Raleigh

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

Your San Diego to Raleigh flight questions, answered

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

  • What guidelines do the leading airlines have for moving animals between Raleigh and San Diego?

    Major airlines including Delta, United, and jetBlue have put in place pet-friendly regulations for flights from San Diego to Raleigh. As long as no one animal weighs more than 40 lbs, these airlines permit passengers to carry minor domesticated animals on board, including pets such as dogs or cats.

  • Which of the potential flight routes between San Diego and Raleigh offers the best value?

    To access more affordable ticket options, customers should consider selecting connecting flights rather than nonstop flights when making their San Diego to Raleigh flight reservation. When compared to nonstop flights, innonstop flights generally offer lower ticket prices. Indirect flight options include American Airlines with layovers in Dallas, Delta Airlines with a layover in Atlanta, or United Airlines with a layover in Chicago.

  • Which airline has the friendliest baggage policies for flights from Raleigh to San Diego?

    If you plan to bring a lot of bags on your flight from San Diego to Raleigh, it is recommended that you pick an airline with a more flexible carry-on luggage policy. Air Canada, Frontier carriers, and jetBlue have the best accommodating rules regarding carry-on baggage restrictions of all the carriers that operate on this route.

  • How can I get to the San Diego International Airport from San Diego's city center?

    The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates bus routes that connect the city center with the airport. You can take Route 992, which provides direct service between Downtown San Diego and the airport. The bus stops at several locations, including the Santa Fe Depot, Broadway, and Harbor Drive and takes approximately 15-30 minutes.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on San Diego to Raleigh flights?

    Among airlines operating San Diego to Raleigh flights:

    • Alaska Airlines: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Breeze Airways: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

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

  • What airlines are available from San Diego to Raleigh?

    2 airlines operate flights between San Diego and Raleigh. The airlines offering nonstop flights on this route include:

    • Alaska Airlines
    • Breeze Airways

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

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

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on San Diego to Raleigh flights?

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

    • Alaska Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Breeze Airways: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

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

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

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

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

    Prices vary by airline.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from San Diego to Raleigh?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $277 round-trip via Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH), compared to $314 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from San Diego to Raleigh?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $40–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from San Diego to Raleigh?

    The Airbus A220-300 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Breeze Airways. Other aircraft seen on the route include Boeing 737-900 Passenger/BBJ3 (winglets) variants.

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

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

    • Charlotte Douglas (CLT) - 33% of one-stop connections
    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 30% of one-stop connections
    • Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - 8% of one-stop connections
    • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) - 5% of one-stop connections

    Charlotte Douglas (CLT) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

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

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 31% on the San Diego to Raleigh route. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at $293 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $422, a difference of $129. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from San Diego to Raleigh?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the San Diego to Raleigh route, 15% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2 hours 27 minutes.

  • How are flight departures from San Diego to Raleigh spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on San Diego to Raleigh flights, with 100% of flights leaving in that window. Afternoon departures account for 0%, evening flights for 0%, and night flights for 0%.

  • What popular places can I visit in Raleigh?

    Some of the most popular sights in Raleigh are Lenovo Center, Raleigh Convention Center and Crabtree Valley Mall. These are among the most viewed places in Raleigh on KAYAK.

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

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

    • Earliest: departs at 9:43 am and lands at 2:41 pm
    • Latest: departs at 1:22 pm and lands at 6:20 pm.

    The flight takes about 4h 58m.

  • How expensive are last-minute San Diego to Raleigh flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 12% above the route average of $328. Book 24 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from San Diego to Raleigh?

    A nonstop flight from San Diego to Raleigh takes 4h 58m, covering 2,187 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from San Diego to Raleigh?

    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 San Diego to Raleigh 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 $203 to $1,924. That means the highest observed fare was about 9x higher than the lowest one.

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

    One-way fares from San Diego to Raleigh are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $113, which is 39% below the typical average for this route.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from San Diego to Raleigh?

    Morning flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

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

    Flying via Nashville Intl (BNA) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 7h 05m, compared with 7h 06m via Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) and 7h 14m via Charlotte Douglas (CLT).

  • What is the time difference between San Diego and Raleigh?

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

  • What car rental options are available at Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU)?

    Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $25 for economy cars. Top options include:
    · Dollar
    · Thrifty
    · Hertz
    · Alamo
    · Budget

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

    Round-trip flights from San Diego to Raleigh range from $262 to $396, with an average of $328 over the past 12 months. Anything below $262 counts as a good deal.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on San Diego to Raleigh flights?

    Alaska Airlines is the only airline on the San Diego to Raleigh route offering in-flight Wi-Fi. Pricing depends on fare class.

Your guide to booking San Diego to Raleigh 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 $293 - about $129 less than Sunday (31% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 24 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 49% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Diego to Raleigh trip for September. Fares historically average $256 round-trip in that month - typically $140 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, Alaska Airlines is the strongest pick on this route. 92% of Alaska Airlines flights from San Diego to Raleigh arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 85%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 2 hours 27 minutes, so choosing a carrier with strong on-time performance can make a difference on tight schedules.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Houston George Bush Intcntl Airport (IAH) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $277 round-trip on this route - about $38 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Raleigh-Durham Airport.
    - Hyatt House Raleigh / RDU / Brier Creek
    - Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Raleigh-Durham Airport/Brier Creek
    - Aloft Raleigh-Durham Airport Brier Creek
  • Most travelers who fly from San Diego to Raleigh opt to land at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) as opposed to other nearby airports. The main reason for this preference is the fact that Raleigh, being the capital city of North Carolina, hosts a significant number of corporate headquarters.
  • Parents flying with young ones from San Diego to Raleigh have the opportunity to enhance their flight experience by choosing Frontier, United Airways, or JetBlue. These airlines offer complimentary Wi-Fi services on board. With access to internet amenities during the flight, children can enjoy their favorite musical selections, watch TV episodes, or even enjoy cartoon networks. This feature assures an enjoyable travel experience for young ones.
  • If passengers decide to fly from San Diego to Raleigh with Frontier Airlines, American Airlines, or Alaska Airlines, regardless of whether they choose business or economy class, there is a chance to upgrade to the first-class cabin at a reduced cost. These airlines are well-known carriers that offer passengers the option to upgrade to first class during the check-in process, subject to availability.
  • The vast majority of travelers prefer flying out of San Diego International Airport (SAN) over other nearby airports when flying from San Diego to Raleigh. This preference is brought about by the fact that SAN Airport serves as a major hub for a number of airlines, including those that operate flights between SAN and RDU, such as Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines. There is a larger chance of finding inexpensive tickets on this flight route due to competitive pricing.
  • As soon as you land at RDU Airport, you can choose your preferred means of transportation to travel and explore Raleigh's neighboring cities, such as Garner, Cary, and Apex. To go from RDU airport to these locations, you have the option of taking a bus, hiring a car, or taking a ride in a taxi.

Prefer to fly direct from San Diego to Raleigh?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from San Diego Airport to Raleigh-Durham Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

San Diego to Raleigh-Durham

Monday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines,Breeze Airways

Alaska Airlines,Breeze Airways

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Thursday

Alaska Airlines,Breeze Airways

Alaska Airlines,Breeze Airways

Friday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Saturday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Sunday

Alaska Airlines,Breeze Airways

Alaska Airlines,Breeze Airways

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Raleigh-Durham to San Diego

Monday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Tuesday

Alaska Airlines,Breeze Airways

Alaska Airlines,Breeze Airways

Wednesday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Thursday

Alaska Airlines,Breeze Airways

Alaska Airlines,Breeze Airways

Friday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Saturday

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines

Sunday

Alaska Airlines,Breeze Airways

Alaska Airlines,Breeze Airways

See more direct flights

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

Information on your arrival and departure airports