Flying from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): what you need to know
Book a direct flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport and you'll be travelling for an average of 5 hours 45 minutes.
San Francisco is three hours behind Durham and is in the UTC-7 timezone.
Choose from 19 weekly Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport flights. The 06:24 departure with United Airlines is the earliest available. United Airlines operates the latest service of the day at 18:41.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your RDU to SFO flight.
Flying during a peak time like July? Major public holidays and other popular periods can result in longer lines at airport checkpoints. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
United Airlines is your gateway to discovering San Francisco (and maybe even some other great parts of United States!). Browse the direct flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport offered by this popular carrier.
United Airlines is the most frequently booked airline on this route.
United Airlines is the most punctual carrier that offers RDU to SFO flights. An exceptional 81.68% of its departures on this route arrive on time.
We make it a breeze to book a flight with a stopover. To see your options for tickets from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Worthwhile stopovers between RDU and SFO include:
Denver International Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
₹ 5,332 is currently the best price for a one-way Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight. Return flights start at ₹ 18,160. These prices can change based on availability and demand.
Book six months before flying. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure cheap tickets from RDU to SFO.
The cheapest month for flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest airfares if you have flexible dates.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from RDU to SFO by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when fares go down.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport.
Handy information about Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Raleigh-Durham International Airport maintains a strong on-time record, so you're unlikely to face delays. Departures from RDU land at their destination as scheduled 80.09% of the time.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is around 23 kilometres from central Durham. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
Planning to take public transport? You can expect a journey time of around 1 hour 10 minutes.
Get your travels off to a stress-free start by staying near RDU. Whether you have an early flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these stays are the answer:
Arriving at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
If you're landing on a late Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight, few things top the convenience of being near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing shortly after at one of these hotels near SFO:
Follow your own route with a San Francisco International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and find adventure across San Francisco and beyond.
Lock in the best deal by booking your ride from San Francisco International Airport about one week before your travel date.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
From San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco is approximately 21 kilometres away. It takes around 20 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Travelling to the centre by public transport takes around 45 minutes.
When to fly to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
August is the most popular month for flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. To avoid the crowds, go to San Francisco in February.
The warmest month in San Francisco is September, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC and 22ºC. Book your flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport in this month if this is the type of weather you like.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from RDU to SFO in January. Average temperatures are between 6ºC and 16ºC then.
Explore more of United States
San Francisco has plenty going for it, but there are so many other parts of United States waiting to be discovered. About 64 kilometres south-east of San Francisco, a trip to San Jose will keep your itinerary busy. Start with attractions like Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art.
Around 257 kilometres south-east of San Francisco, Fresno is another favourite stop in United States. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fresno Chaffee Zoo and Shinzen Japanese Garden.
