Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is one of the fastest-growing airports in the country, serving more than 400 daily flights to 80 destinations. It’s located at the heart of North Carolina’s Research Triangle, the metropolitan area anchored by Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.
Nineteen airlines offer non-stop routes across North and Central America, plus European destinations like London and Paris. While Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) handles more traffic, RDU’s growth trajectory and manageable size make it an increasingly attractive option.
RDU serves the state capital, Raleigh, and is the gateway to a region known for its booming tech scene, beautiful parks and rich cultural spots. The Triangle is known for the three major research universities that give it its name: NC State in Raleigh, Duke in Durham, and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill (UNC).
As someone who grew up in England, I first got to know RDU while studying abroad at UNC. It was my home base for student adventures across the US, and I’ve been back many times since.
It’s one of my favorite airports in the US, and not just for nostalgic reasons. RDU strikes that rare balance between having everything you need and never feeling overwhelming. It’s modern, well designed and easily navigated, with rarely too many people.
Getting to and from the airport
By bus
RDU connects to the GoTriangle bus system via Route 100 and RDU Shuttle buses. Buses depart from between Zones 2 and 3 for Terminal 1, and between Zones 6 and 7 for Terminal 2.
Travel times: approximately 40 minutes to downtown Raleigh, typically 60 to 90 minutes to Chapel Hill, and 50 to 60 minutes to downtown Durham. Both Chapel Hill and Durham routes require a transfer.
By taxi or shuttle
The only authorized taxi service is Taxi Taxi, and you’ll find their cabs waiting curbside at both terminals. You can also book various licensed personal and shared transport services. For groups, I’ve found that companies like My RDU Airport Shuttle often hit the sweet spot between convenience and cost, but just remember to book these in advance.
Many hotels in the Research Triangle area also offer a free airport shuttle. Places like the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Raleigh-Durham and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Raleigh Airport-Brier Creek are just a couple of the options available for every budget.
By car
By car, RDU is about 20 minutes from Raleigh, Durham or Chapel Hill, traffic permitting. The airport sits about 10 miles from both downtown Raleigh and downtown Durham, and 17 miles east of Chapel Hill, making it nearly equidistant between the Triangle’s main cities.
For pickups and dropoffs: Terminal 1 uses the curbside area for both. Terminal 2 requires upper level (departures) for dropoffs and lower level (arrivals) for pickups.
Here’s a pro tip my friends always use: have your ride wait in the Cell Phone Lot. It’s a free waiting area just outside the airport where they can park until you’ve grabbed your bags and are ready to go.
Renting a car
You’ll find all the usual suspects for on-site car rentals, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless and Thrifty. Just hop on a free shuttle from the green Rental Car stops at Zone 4 for Terminal 1 or Zone 5 for Terminal 2 to get to their offices.
Airport layout and services
RDU has two terminals with different airline allocations. Terminal 1 handles domestic flights for Alaska, Avelo, Breeze, Southwest, Spirit and Sun Country. Terminal 2 serves Delta, United, American Airlines, Air France and Lufthansa for both domestic and international flights.
Avelo, Breeze and Southwest are exceptions, landing international flights at Terminal 2. You can walk between terminals in about 5 to 10 minutes, or catch the free shuttle.
Services in both terminals
Both terminals offer free Wi-Fi that’s easy to connect to from anywhere. Each session lasts 48 hours, which saved me during a snow delay that kept me grounded for nearly 24 hours. You’ll find 110-volt and USB power outlets under tables at seating clusters throughout all boarding areas.
Standard services include ATMs, Post Office boxes, a meditation room, smoking area and pet-relief area.
One service that deserves a special shout-out is the nursing suite in each terminal. As a parent, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate a private, quiet room with a changing table and outlets. You can find them at Gate A6 in Terminal 1 and Gate C8 in Terminal 2.
Retail and dining
If you spend any time in North Carolina, you’ll quickly learn that college sports are a very big deal. You can easily kill some time at RDU browsing shops packed with Tar Heel, Blue Devil, and Wolf Pack gear. Terminal 1 has four shops, while Terminal 2 has 14, all offering the usual travel essentials and souvenirs.
Dining options cover most dietary requirements without being exceptional. That said, I’ve found a few reliable spots: Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina in Terminal 1 for made-to-order Mexican food, and La Farm Bakery + Café in Terminal 2.
La Farm is an outpost of a French boulangerie in Cary, NC, and you can count on fresh breakfast pastries and good coffee before an early flight. If you’re visiting from overseas, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (also Terminal 2) offers your first taste of that iconic Southern staple: fried chicken and biscuits.
Airport lounges
There are three lounges at RDU, all located in Terminal 2. The American Airlines Admirals Club and the Delta Sky Club are across from Gate C3, and the United Club is near Gates D1 and D3. If you have access, they’re a great place to work, relax and grab some complimentary food and drinks.
Check-in and security
RDU recommends arriving at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. I’ve always found the check-in and security process fairly quick and painless, though my baseline for comparison is London Heathrow.
The airport stays open around the clock. Security checkpoints open at 4:30am each morning, with most ticket counters opening half an hour earlier at 4:00am.
Self-service check-in kiosks are available in both terminals to help speed things up during peak times, which are typically from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you’re in a hurry, TSA PreCheck is available and can help you get through screening faster.
I do have a couple of small gripes. First, the airport charges $5 for Smarte Carte luggage trolleys with just a $0.25 refund upon return, which feels a bit off for what’s a necessity for many travelers. Second, the Customs staff can be a bit, let’s say, serious. In my experience, it’s not the warm Southern welcome you’ll get everywhere else in North Carolina, so just be prepared for that.
Parking
RDU has five airport parking lots. The most budget-friendly options are the ParkRDU Economy 3 and 4 lots. Economy 3 is about a 7-minute shuttle ride to Terminal 1 and 10 minutes to Terminal 2, while Economy 4 is about 5 minutes to Terminal 2 and 10 minutes to Terminal 1. These free shuttles run 24/7 every 15 minutes. On the other end, the ParkRDU Premier lot offers covered parking just steps from the terminals.
While you must make online parking reservations at least 24 hours in advance to guarantee entry, drive-up parking remains available at all lots. For me, the ParkRDU Central lot offers great value. It’s a short walk from the terminal with covered and open-air spaces, considerably cheaper than Premier while letting you skip the shuttle when you’re loaded down with luggage.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
