$104 Cheap Flights from Raleigh (RDU) to San Francisco (SFO)

Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

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

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $104 for one-way flights and $188 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Sun Country Airlines
Delta
JetBlue Airways
United
Flights from Raleigh (RDU) to San Francisco (SFO)
Origin airport
Raleigh - Durham Intl.
Destination airport
San Francisco Intl.
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$182
Distance
2394 mi

Raleigh to San Francisco Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Raleigh to San Francisco

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Raleigh to San Francisco are during the month of May. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Raleigh to San Francisco with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

The best time to book a flight from Raleigh to San Francisco

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Raleigh to San Francisco: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Raleigh to San Francisco

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Raleigh to San Francisco in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $104 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Raleigh to San Francisco flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Raleigh to San Francisco airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

*Terms apply.

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) cost?
Cheap return fares from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) start from $266. This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a United flight leaving RDU on May 15 2025 and touching down at SFO. The price was last updated on April 24 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from RDU to SFO?
The cheapest flights from RDU to SFO are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
You can fly straight from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) on a United Airlines flight.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from RDU to SFO?
Use the filter tool on Expedia to compare airlines and find the cheapest carrier that’ll take you from RDU to SFO. Sort your results by “Price (lowest to highest)” to snap up a great deal.
How many flights per day from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
On average, you’ll only find 1 direct flight departing from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) each day. If this isn’t convenient for you, check out flights with layovers. Just filter your search results on Expedia to include one or two stops to find the next best option.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
Flights between RDU and SFO are their busiest at 6 PM. For a less crowded experience and possibly cheaper tickets, choose a departure that’s outside typical rush times.
What day of the week has the most flights from RDU to SFO?
Thursday has the most flights from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO). Consider jetting off on this day and you’ll have a greater chance of finding a departure that works with your plans.
What is the earliest flight from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
The earliest flight leaving from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) is at around 8:30AM UTC-5. Hop on this flight and you’ll arrive at San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) at approximately 11:41AM UTC-8. The total time in the air is 6h 11m.
How long does it take to fly from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
Flights from RDU to SFO have an average travel time of 6 hours and 11 minutes. The total distance between the two airports is 2,400 mi.
What is the best time to fly from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
To touch down at San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) on schedule, select a flight that leaves Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) before 3 PM. The likelihood of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this time.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG’s global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for San Francisco from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU)?
San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) is the only airport in San Francisco with direct flights from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU). Compare the available options and find affordable fares on Expedia.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO) last-minute?
Booking your flight from RDU to SFO right before your getaway is generally more expensive. However, if you’re flexible with your travel dates and times, you could bag a cheap last-minute fare.
Is it cheaper to book a RDU to SFO flight and hotel package?
You’ll typically save money by securing a RDU to SFO flight and hotel package compared to booking separately. In fact, travelers could save hundreds of dollars by bundling with Expedia. And it’s easy to manage everything in one convenient place. Once you’ve selected your ideal flights and accommodations, consider adding extras including car rentals, activities and tours.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Raleigh - Durham Intl. Airport (RDU) to San Francisco Intl. Airport (SFO)?
It’s usually possible to reschedule or cancel your RDU to SFO flight. However, for bookings made more than 24 hours ago, additional charges may apply. Check your airline’s policies in your itinerary to see what changes are allowed and if any costs are involved. You’ll also find further details on our Customer Service portal.

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*Available to One Key members.