# Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)

> Raleigh/Durham, US · approximately 19 km (12 mi) northwest of downtown Raleigh; 20 km (12 mi) southeast of downtown Durham

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/rdu
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/rdu.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: RDU
- **ICAO**: KRDU
- **Timezone**: America/New_York
- **Runways**: 3
- **Terminals**: 2
- **Passengers**: 14.5M/yr
- **Hub for**: Delta Air Lines
- **Official site**: https://www.rdu.com/

## Overview

## Welcome

At RDU, there's a certain culinary charm as the airport embodies a curated Triangle food hall. Passengers are treated to local breweries, indie coffee roasters, and chef-driven eateries, offering a taste of Raleigh-Durham’s food scene even without stepping foot in the cities. Flyers consistently commend it for its ease of navigation, boasting the ability to traverse the entire airport in less than 15 minutes, even during busy periods.

## At a glance

Handling 14.5 million passengers annually, Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) sits approximately 19 km northwest of Raleigh and 20 km southeast of Durham. Delta Air Lines holds hub status here, contributing to its efficient operations. The airport consists of three runways and two terminals, making it an accessible yet intimate hub for travelers.

## Terminals & layout

RDU features two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 1 serves carriers like Alaska Airlines, Avelo Airlines, and Breeze Airways with its nine gates. Terminal 2 is the busier hub with airlines such as Air Canada and Allegiant Air. The terminals are closely situated, allowing passengers to navigate between gates swiftly. Expect the walk between any two points to rarely exceed seven minutes, a unique advantage for those on tight connections.

## Getting to and from the city

Public transportation connects RDU to Raleigh and Durham efficiently. GoTriangle Route 100 runs from the airport to downtown Raleigh in about 45–60 minutes for a fare of $2.25. Similarly, Route DRX provides a link to Durham, offering rides in approximately 25–35 minutes. Taxis and rideshares such as Uber and Lyft usually take 20–30 minutes depending on traffic, with fares ranging between $20–$40. For travelers looking for a car service, the Triangle Car Service offers pre-set point-to-point rates, albeit at higher prices than standard taxis.

## Traveller essentials

Parking at RDU covers a range of options including ParkRDU Central and ParkRDU Economy 3, catering to diverse needs with various price points. For those flying early or late, rideshares are recommended to save time over using parking shuttles. Inside the terminals, security lines are generally short, although early-morning departures can cause spikes—using the less busy checkpoint for the opposite terminal can save time.

## Dining & shopping highlights

Food lovers find RDU a pleasant surprise. Terminal 2 hosts renowned spots like Raleigh Beer Garden and Bond Brothers Kitchen & Bar for craft beer enthusiasts. Adios! by Oscar Diaz near Gate C17 offers a sit-down meal with cocktails, capturing the essence of downtown Raleigh dining. Coffee aficionados will appreciate Black & White Coffee Roasters and Beyu Caffè, which provide top-tier espresso. Shopping includes The District by Root & Branch in Terminal 2, a spot for locally made snacks and gifts.

## Lounges

RDU hosts a range of lounges primarily in Terminal 2, including the Delta Sky Club, United Club, and American Airlines Admirals Club. The availability is limited compared to larger airports, but those with access find them a welcome escape. The USO RDU Center offers services for military personnel and their families.

## Insider tips

- **Insider:** For a taste of North Carolina craft, head to the Triangle beer spots in Terminal 2 like Raleigh Beer Garden.

- **Time:** Morning flights with short layovers? Beyu Caffè in Terminal 2 offers faster coffee service than the bigger chains.

- **Local:** Adios! by Oscar Diaz feels more like dining downtown Raleigh than airport dining—find it in Terminal 2.

- **Avoid:** Terminal 2's better dining spots close earlier than the last flights, so aim to dine before 8 PM.

- **Quiet:** For a peaceful pre-flight moment, try a lap around the concourse; the short distances make for a relaxing routine.

- **Money:** Local food venues charge only modestly above street prices, making them a good deal compared to city prices.

- **Quiet:** If the gate seating is scarce, try farther down the concourse where it's often less crowded.

## Terminals (2)

- **Terminal 1** — 9 gates · Alaska Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Southwest Airlines
  Home to Southwest and Spirit airlines.
- **Terminal 2** — Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines
  Home to all other airlines at RDU.

## Dining (25)

- **ACC American Café** — 2
- **Adios! by Oscar Diaz** — 2 · Mexican · Southern · $$
- **Auntie Anne's** — 2
- **Beyu Caffè** — 2
- **Black & White Coffee Roasters** — 2
- **Bobby’s Burgers** — 2 · American · Fast Food · $$
- **Bojangles** — 2
- **Bond Brothers Kitchen & Bar** — 2 · American · Brewery · $$
- **Bongiorno & Son Italian** — 2
- **California Pizza Kitchen** — 2
- **Caribou Coffee** — 1
- **CharGrill** — 1
- **Chick-fil-A** — 2
- **Crú Food and Wine Bar** — 2
- **Dunkin'** — 1
- **Jason's Deli** — 2
- **La Farm Bakery** — 2
- **Panera Bread** — 2
- **Popeyes** — 2
- **Puro Gusto** — 1 · Italian · Café · $$
- **Raleigh Beer Garden** — 1 · American · Pub · $$
- **Smashed Waffles** — 1
- **Starbucks** — 2
- **Whiskey River** — 2
- **WRAL NewsCafé** — 1

## Lounges (8)

- **American Airlines Admirals Club** — 2 · Terminal 2, American
- **American Express Centurion Lounge** — 2 · Terminal 2, credit card
- **Capital One Lounge** — 2 · Terminal 2, credit card
- **Chase Sapphire Lounge** — 2 · Terminal 2, credit card
- **Delta Sky Club** — 2 · Terminal 2, Delta
- **The Club RDU** — 2 · Terminal 2, Priority Pass
- **United Club** — 2 · Terminal 2, United
- **USO RDU Center** — 2 · Terminal 2, military

## Shops (19)

- **5th and Sunset** — 2
- **Brighton Collectibles** — 2
- **Dazzling Jewels** — 2
- **Five Points News & Gift** — 1 · Souvenirs
- **Hudson** — 1
- **Hudson** — 2
- **ink by Hudson** — 2 · Books
- **InMotion** — 2
- **Lids** — 2
- **Marshall Rousso** — 2
- **Natalie’s Candy Jar** — 1 · Food
- **NCAA Fan Store** — 2
- **No Boundaries** — 2
- **RDU Duty Free** — 2
- **Root and Branch Market** — 2
- **Tech on the Go** — 2
- **The District by Root & Branch** — 1 · Fashion
- **Tripadvisor** — 2 · Travel Essentials
- **WRAL Travel Store** — 1

## Parking (8)

- **FastPark and Relax RDU** — Off-site covered
- **Park'N Go RDU** — Off-site economy
- **ParkRDU Cell Phone Lot** — Short-stay waiting
- **ParkRDU Central** — Garage
- **ParkRDU Economy 3** — Economy lot
- **ParkRDU Economy 4** — Economy lot
- **ParkRDU Express** — Shuttle lot
- **ParkRDU Premier** — Garage

## Ground transport (10)

- **Amtrak Raleigh Union Station via GoTriangle 100** — Rail connection · Total journey typically 45–75 minutes including bus ride and walk/transfer between GoRaleigh Station and Union Station, depending on wait times. · Route 100 is $2.25 one-way; additional local bus within Raleigh is around $1.25–$2.25 depending on system, so the total transit cost RDU → Union Station can be roughly $2–5. · Route 100 generally every 30 minutes on weekdays/Saturdays with no Sunday service; local downtown bus connections to Union Station run at varying frequencies but commonly every 15–30 minutes on weekdays.
- **GoTriangle Route 100** — Bus · Scheduled in-vehicle time RDU → downtown Raleigh is roughly 30–35 minutes; real trip time with waiting and transfers is commonly 45–60 minutes. · $2.25 one-way (standard local/express fare); free transfers within the GoTriangle system when using the same ticket or pass. · Weekdays and Saturdays only; generally every 30 minutes at peak times and less frequently off-peak; no Sunday or late-night service.
- **GoTriangle Route 310** — Bus · Planned in-vehicle time between RDU and key RTP stops is roughly 20–30 minutes depending on the stop and time of day. · $2.25 one-way (standard GoTriangle fare). · Weekdays only, primarily peak-direction commuter service with limited trips clustered around morning and evening rush hours.
- **GoTriangle Route DRX** — Bus · Scheduled in-vehicle time between downtown Durham and RDU on DRX trips that serve the airport is roughly 25–35 minutes. · $2.25 one-way (standard GoTriangle express fare). · Weekdays only; limited number of trips, mainly in morning and afternoon peaks, with no weekend service.
- **Greyhound Raleigh Station via local bus and taxi** — Intercity coach · Total journey RDU → Greyhound station typically runs 45–75 minutes including the transfer and walking or short cab ride. · Route 100 from RDU to downtown is $2.25; a short local bus or taxi/ridehail from GoRaleigh Station to the Greyhound station typically adds a few dollars, so total cost is often in the $2–15 range depending on method. · Route 100 generally every 30 minutes on weekdays/Saturdays with no Sunday service; local connections between GoRaleigh Station and the Greyhound area vary but are typically every 15–30 minutes on weekdays, while taxis and ridehail are on-demand.
- **Hotel Courtesy Shuttles** — Van · Reported shuttle ride times from nearby hotels to RDU terminals are typically 5–15 minutes depending on distance and traffic, not including wait time. · Most airport-area hotel shuttles are complimentary for registered guests (cost included in room rate). · Many shuttles run every 20–30 minutes or on-call during set hours (often roughly 4–5 a.m. to midnight), but exact frequency varies by hotel.
- **Lyft** — Rideshare · Travel time is similar to Uber: roughly 20–30 minutes to most central city destinations under normal traffic. · User reports suggest typical standard Lyft rides from RDU to central Raleigh or Durham cost around $20–40 depending on demand. · On-demand; app-reported ETAs are commonly in the 5–10 minute range during the day and evening, with sparser availability overnight.
- **RDU Taxi Alliance** — Taxi · Reported ride times to downtown Raleigh or Durham are usually 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic. · Typical reported fares are around $25–40 from RDU to central Raleigh or Durham, based on multiple Google and Yelp reviews (exact official zone chart not independently confirmed). · On-demand from the taxi rank whenever flights are operating; practical wait times reported as just a few minutes after exiting baggage claim.
- **Triangle Car Service** — Private car · Travel time is similar to taxis and rideshare for a given route—about 20–40 minutes to most core Triangle destinations—though drivers often aim to arrive early for pickups. · Reviews describe prices as higher than UberX or taxis and based on pre-set point-to-point rates; exact dollar amounts vary by destination and are not consistently published in user reviews. · By reservation only; availability depends on advance booking rather than fixed schedules or on-demand hailing.
- **Uber** — Rideshare · Typical travel time door-to-door to downtown Raleigh or Durham is around 20–30 minutes in normal traffic. · Reported UberX fares between RDU and central Raleigh or Durham are commonly in the $20–40 range depending on time of day and surge (exact dynamic pricing varies). · On-demand; many riders report pickup times of about 5–10 minutes in most daytime and evening periods, with longer waits late at night.

## Insider tips

- _Insider_: For a taste of North Carolina craft, head to the Triangle beer spots in Terminal 2 like Raleigh Beer Garden.
- _Time_: Morning flights with short layovers? Beyu Caffè in Terminal 2 offers faster coffee service than the bigger chains.
- _Local_: Adios! by Oscar Diaz feels more like dining downtown Raleigh than airport dining—find it in Terminal 2.
- _Avoid_: Terminal 2's better dining spots close earlier than the last flights, so aim to dine before 8 PM.
- _Quiet_: For a peaceful pre-flight moment, try a lap around the concourse; the short distances make for a relaxing routine.
- _Money_: Local food venues charge only modestly above street prices, making them a good deal compared to city prices.
- _Quiet_: If the gate seating is scarce, try farther down the concourse where it's often less crowded.