Raleigh-Durham International Airport guide
Quick insights
- The Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is located near North Carolina’s Research Triangle.
- There are five airport parking lots, and travelers can reserve a parking space online at least 24 hours in advance.
- RDU has two terminals which do not have an airside connection, but travelers can move between them via a free shuttle service or moving walkway.
The Research Triangle region of North Carolina is one of the largest dedicated research and industry zones in the country. This area includes the state capital of Raleigh, as well as the cities of Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary. Those traveling to this region may be flying into or out of the Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Read on to learn more about RDU, how to get to it, where to park and how to navigate the terminals.
Navigating to and from RDU
There are many options to get to and from the airport, including:
- Public transportation: There are two bus routes—GoTriangle Route 100 and RDU Shuttle — that provide service from RDU to its Regional Transit Center. From there, riders can connect to bus routes throughout the region.
- Hotel shuttles: Many hotels from across the Research Triangle Region provide shuttle service to and from RDU. Hotel shuttles drop off and pick up from the red zones outside of the terminals.
- Rental cars: Rental car companies at RDU offer courtesy shuttles to their offices, which are located on airport property. Travelers can catch the shuttle bus at the green rental car shuttle stops outside baggage claim at Zone 4 in Terminal 1 and Zone 5 in Terminal 2.
For those driving to the airport, passengers may be dropped off curbside at Terminal 1 and on the upper level of Terminal 2. Passengers may be picked up curbside at Terminal 1 and on the lower level of Terminal 2.
RDU’s complimentary cell phone lot is located off I-40 and is a 3-minute drive from the airport.
Parking at RDU
There are five parking lots at RDU that provide a mix of short and long-term parking options:
- ParkRDU Premier: Located steps from terminals and includes covered ground level parking.
- ParkRDU Central: On-airport garage parking that is centrally located and a short walk to terminals.
- ParkRDU Express: Provides trunk to terminal service that includes complimentary bottled water and luggage assistance.
- ParkRDU Economy 3: A lower priced lot with complimentary shuttle service and easy access to I-40.
- ParkRDU Economy 4: An economy lot with complimentary shuttle service and easy access to I-40 and U.S. 70.
Rates and availability at each lotOpens overlay can be found on the airport’s website.
ParkRDU allows guests to pay for parking in advance. Travelers do not need to reserve a spot in advance, but those who do need to reserve their spot at least 24 hours prior to their reservation.
You can find maps and directionsOpens overlay to parking lots and other facilities on the RDU website.
RDU map
The RDU website features an airport mapOpens overlay to help you locate security checkpoints, restrooms, curbside check-in, shops, restaurants and more.
RDU terminals
There are two terminals at RDU—Terminal 1 and Terminal 2—with more than 40 gates in total. The terminals are located in two separate buildings:
- Terminal 1 Address: 1600 John Brantley Blvd, Morrisville, NC 27560
- Terminal 2 Address: 2400 John Brantley Blvd, Morrisville, NC 27560
The terminals do not have an airside connection, but passengers can ride a free shuttle bus or take the moving walkway to navigate between the terminals.
Terminal 2 contains 36 gates with concourses C and D. It is the only terminal that hosts interntaional flight arrivals. Terminal 1 contains Gates A1 to A9.
Security at RDU
There is one security checkpoint in each RDU terminal. Security wait times vary throughout the day based on peak flying times. Most passengers wait less than 30 minutes for security checkpoint screening, but lines can be longer during peak hours, which include early morning, midday and evening hours.
Airport officials recommend travelers arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before domestic flights to allow enough time for traffic, parking, check-in and security screening. International travelers should arrive at least 3 hours before their departure times.
Getting through airport security faster
Security and screening wait times can vary, but there are Trusted Traveler Programs (TTPs)—namely TSA PreCheck® and Global Entry—designed to help expedite the security and passport screening processes.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offers expedited security screening at RDU. There are TSA PreCheck lanes as well as CLEAR verification kiosks in both terminals.
Of note, some credit cards offer reimbursement for TTP application fees when the card is used to pay the fee.
In summary
RDU is the second largest airport in North Carolina and serves the region’s bustling Research Triangle. The airport has two terminals which do not have an airside connection. Passengers can navigate between the terminals via a moving walkway or free shuttle.
There are five parking lots at the airport, and those driving to the airport can reserve parking up to 24 hours ahead of time. Passengers are encouraged to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours ahead of their domestic flights and more than 3 hours for international departures.
