Travelling from Raleigh / Durham Airport (RDU) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from Raleigh / Durham Airport to San Francisco International Airport is 5 hours 55 minutes.
The timezone in San Francisco is UTC-8, which is three hours behind Durham.
Choose from 17 weekly Raleigh / Durham Airport to San Francisco International Airport flights. The 06:00 departure with United Airlines is the earliest you can take. United Airlines operates the last service of the day at 19:05.
Give yourself plenty of time to make your RDU to SFO flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like July, it's best to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're flying during a peak period in general.
Getting to San Francisco (and then exploring more of the United States!) is a cinch with United. This popular airline offers direct flights from Raleigh / Durham Airport to San Francisco International Airport.
United has the highest passenger demand on this route.
United ranks as the top on-time carrier for RDU to SFO flights, with 85.54% of its services landing on schedule.
Consider adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Raleigh / Durham Airport to San Francisco International Airport. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' to break up your trip, or even explore someplace new along the way. Here's where you can stop between RDU and SFO:
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport
Denver International Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbour Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Raleigh / Durham Airport (RDU) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Currently, R 1,973 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way Raleigh / Durham Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight. The best price for a return ticket is R 3,921. Keep in mind that fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
To pick up cheap tickets from RDU to SFO, book in advance. Airlines tend to offer their best fares when flights are first released.
The cheapest month for flights from Raleigh / Durham Airport to San Francisco International Airport is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest airfares if you have flexible dates.
Snapping up cheap flights from RDU to SFO is a cinch with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Raleigh / Durham Airport to San Francisco International Airport.
Handy information about Raleigh / Durham Airport (RDU)
78% of flights leaving from Raleigh / Durham Airport reach their destination on schedule.
Central Durham to Raleigh / Durham Airport is around 18 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take you about 20 minutes to get there if you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a taxi.
You can expect a journey time of roughly 45 minutes on public transport.
Need a convenient hotel near RDU? If you're boarding an early flight from Raleigh / Durham Airport to San Francisco International Airport, these stays will have you moments from check-in:
Arriving at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a Raleigh / Durham Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight. Book one of these accommodation options near SFO instead:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a San Francisco International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz and experience the lesser-explored corners of San Francisco and beyond.
Booking your ride from San Francisco International Airport around one week in advance can help you secure the lowest rate.
When to fly to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The quietest month for a flight from Raleigh / Durham Airport to San Francisco International Airport is March, while July is the most popular. Pick the best time to visit San Francisco based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in San Francisco is September, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF). Lock in your flights from Raleigh / Durham Airport to San Francisco International Airport in this month if you like this kind of weather.
Search for cheap tickets from RDU to SFO in January if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 5ºC (41ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF) on average.
Explore more of the United States
San Jose is just one of the many places in the United States waiting to be discovered once you've seen San Francisco. Around 64 kilometres away to the south-east, its top attractions include Winchester Mystery House, The Tech Interactive and Santa Clara Valley.
If you're ready to explore another major stop in the United States, consider Fresno, about 257 kilometres south-east of San Francisco. Forestiere Underground Gardens, Shinzen Japanese Garden and Fresno Chaffee Zoo are key highlights.
