Flying from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport is 5 hours 47 minutes. San Francisco's timezone is UTC-7, which makes San Francisco 3 hours behind Durham.
Every week, there are 19 flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. To get going as soon as possible, go for the 06:24 United Airlines flight. If you're keen to make the most of your day before flying, the last flight from RDU to SFO is 23:20 with United Airlines.
Travelling during a peak time like July? High seasons (like summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring break) can easily add another hour at security. Be extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
United Airlines has direct flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. Book with this popular airline, then get ready to take in the sights in San Francisco — plus maybe even more of United States if you have time.
If you want to break up your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, add a stopover to your trip. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' to find a destination that interests you. The most popular stopovers on the RDU - SFO route 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)
The best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport is P4,590. The cheapest price for a return flight is P9,184. Keep in mind that fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Get cheap tickets from RDU to SFO by booking at least 9 months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
Plan your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. If your travel dates are flexible, try out the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest airfare across each month.
Sign into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. You'll get notified right away if there's a better deal on this route. It's easy to do, and it'll save you the hassle of checking for cheap tickets from RDU to SFO every day.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport.
Handy information about Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is around 23 kilometres from central Durham. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 18 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Got an early flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by picking one of these hotels close to RDU:
Arriving at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Consider staying in a hotel near SFO if you're catching a late flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. Settle into one of these options and skip the long transfer:
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 get to the centre driving.
It typically takes 47 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
When to fly to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The quietest month for a flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport is February, while August is the busiest. Pick the best time to visit San Francisco based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Book your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Francisco International Airport for September if you'd like to go to San Francisco during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 12 ºC and 22 ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between 6 ºC and 16 ºC. Look for cheap tickets from RDU to SFO around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about San Francisco
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in San Francisco right here. Check out these options after locking in your flight from RDU to SFO:
All great holidays should include a little sightseeing. Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and Lombard Street are essential stops on your San Francisco itinerary.
Complete your San Francisco trip with hotels and a car rental
You've booked a cheap ticket to San Francisco International Airport — now it's time to find a great stay, and perhaps even your own set of wheels. We've compared prices across hundreds of companies to bring you the top hotels and car rental deals in San Francisco.
