Daily rates at ParkRDU Central garage usually beat Premier
ParkRDU Central sits between Terminals 1 and 2 at RDU, so you can walk to either terminal in roughly 5–7 minutes using the marked pedestrian paths. It’s a covered garage, useful in North Carolina summer heat and thunderstorms, and you stay on airport property the whole time, no shuttle required.
Rates here sit in the mid-tier between Economy and Premier; check the current daily price on RDU’s site, but it’s typically several dollars less per day than the Premier Garage next door. You pull a ticket at the entry gate or tap a credit card, then pay at exit with the same card, so there’s no need to stop at a kiosk or keep track of cash.
The garage connects to both terminals via signed walkways: follow the blue signs for Terminal 1 or the green signs for Terminal 2. Elevators and stairwells are spaced every few rows, and the structure has multiple levels, so you can park closer to the side that matches your airline. Give yourself 10 extra minutes if you’re parking on the upper floors and rolling checked bags.
Overhead clearance in ParkRDU Central suits standard SUVs and crossovers, but very tall vehicles or roof boxes can be tight on upper levels, so check the posted clearance heights at the entrance. Security cameras cover the main lanes, and lighting stays on all night, which helps for late arrivals on flights landing after 23:00.
Practical tip: snap a photo of your level and row number on your phone as soon as you park, then note “Central Garage T1 side” or “Central Garage T2 side” so you’re not wandering all six levels after a 21:30 arrival.