Flying from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Seattle: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 5 hours 10 minutes. On average, that's the time it takes for a direct flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Seattle.
The timezone in Seattle is UTC-7. The city is three hours behind Durham, where Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located.
The busiest route is from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). You can select from 17 services every week between these two airports. If you want to take off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from RDU to SEA is the 07:10 Delta Air Lines option. If you'd rather fly out later on, the last departure is at 18:05 with Alaska Airlines.
To avoid rushing for your RDU to Seattle flight, allow plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Delays at security and check-in are more likely if you're flying during high season, so give yourself even more breathing space. A good general rule for peak times? Get there up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Begin your journey at RDU and fly nonstop to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). That will be your arrival point when searching for Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Seattle tickets.
Book your seat with Alaska Airlines. This popular carrier offers direct flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Seattle.
RDU is about 16 kilometres from central Durham. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour 10 minutes.
In search of a hotel near RDU? If you've booked an early flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Seattle, these stays will put you moments from your departure gate:
Raleigh-Durham International Airport earns top marks for on-time performance. 80.09% of flights that take off from RDU arrive at their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Seattle
The lowest price we've found for a one-way Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Seattle flight is R 1,223. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 2,473. Bear in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
To score cheap flights from RDU to Seattle, book your journey two months before your departure date.
The best month for scoring cheap Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Seattle tickets is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates that offer the biggest savings.
You don't need to check back constantly to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as there's an updated deal for cheap flights from RDU to Seattle.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Seattle.
Airports in Seattle
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
The distance from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to central Seattle is roughly 23 kilometres. It'll take you around 20 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of about 55 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Seattle, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near SEA:
Follow your own route with a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Thrifty, Europcar or Budget and chase adventure across Seattle and beyond.
Secure the lowest price by reserving your vehicle from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport around one week in advance of your flight from RDU to Seattle.
Lake Union Sea Plane Base Airport (LKE)
Once your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Seattle has touched down, you can reach the city centre in about 10 minutes by car. Central Seattle is roughly 3 kilometres from Lake Union Sea Plane Base Airport (LKE).
The journey will take about 25 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some comfortable places to drop your things at near LKE. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your RDU to Seattle flight at one of these perfectly located options:
Best time to go to Seattle
Before locking in your flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Seattle, consider which time of year works best for you. Peak season in Seattle offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while the low season brings cheaper deals on hotels and smaller crowds.
The warmest month in Seattle is August, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 28ºC (82ºF). Book your Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Seattle flight ticket then if that's the weather you find most pleasant.
February has average temperatures of between -1ºC (30ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from RDU to Seattle around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Seattle
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in Seattle right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've locked in your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Seattle:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to figure out where to start. LMN Architects, Greyhound: Bus Station and Boeing Radiation Effects Lab are top attractions which should feature on every Seattle itinerary.
Explore more of United States
Seattle is always a good idea, but there are so many other corners of United States just waiting to be explored. About 241 kilometres south of Seattle, a visit to Portland will keep your itinerary busy. Check out popular attractions like Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland Japanese Garden and Pittock Mansion.
Spokane is another must-experience destination in United States and is around 370 kilometres east of Seattle. No trip is complete without visiting Manito Park, Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture and Spokane Falls.
