Airport Guide to Raleigh-Durham International (RDU)

Airport Overview

Terminal Transfer | Getting into Town | Car Parking | Information Desks | Airport Facilities

Raleigh-Durham International Airport, located 7km (4.5 miles) northeast of the town of Morrisville in South Carolina, has direct service to more than 40 cities and is equidistant from the cities of Raleigh and Durham.

The airport processes roughly ten million passengers each year. Despite its label as an international airport, nearly all of the flights to Raleigh-Durham International Airport are domestic, with one or two routes to destinations in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

The airport has two terminals, with the newer Terminal 2 winning raves for its airy environment and abundance of shops and restaurants. Raleigh-Durham is known for its short queues and spacious waiting areas, and is a popular hub for quick flights from Atlanta, Charlotte and Baltimore.

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Terminal Transfer

There is no airside connection between terminals, so you’ll need to go through security again to make your connection. You can choose between riding in the free shuttle buses or taking the moving walkway through the covered parking decks between the terminals.

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Getting into Town

Train: While there is no direct train service to the airport, there are Amtrak stations in both Raleigh and Durham, accessible by taxi.

Bus: Triangle Transit routes 100 and 105 run to downtown Raleigh at least every hour between 6:30am and 10:30pm on weekdays (Saturdays from 7:10am to 7:10pm). Fares are $2 and the trip takes about 35 minutes.

Taxi: RDU Airport taxis are available from the kerb near Southwest Airlines. Average fares are $29.80 to Raleigh or Durham, $20 to Cary, or $37.60 to Chapel Hill. There are extra charges for excess baggage.

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Car Parking

There is both hourly and daily parking at Raleigh-Durham. Hourly rates are charged at $1 per hour up to $24 per day, and daily rates are $2 per hour up to $10 per day. There are also Park and Ride lots with free shuttle service to the terminals, charging a daily rate of $6.

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Information Desks

Information desks are located in the main baggage claim areas of each terminal. The friendly staff are happy to help with flight info, airport directions, or tourism information.

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Airport Facilities

Money and communications: There are ATMs and currency exchange facilities in the airport.

Luggage: Baggage trolleys are available for a fee, and there’s a lost and found in the arrivals area.

Conference and business: The business centre in Terminal 2 offers travel insurance, photocopying and wire services. The Club at RUD (Terminal 1) also offers fax and printing, computer workstations, meeting rooms, luggage storage and catering (there is a fee of $24.95). There are charging stations in both terminals.

Other facilities: The airport boasts art exhibitions, observation decks, meditation room, shoe shine, VIP lounges, a spa, florist, and handicapped services.

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport through AT&T, costing $3.99 per session.

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