6 a.m. latte stop in Terminal 1
Caribou Coffee sits airside in Terminal 1, past security for Southwest and other T1 carriers, and opens around 6 a.m. on most days. It’s the main coffee option once you’re through the single T1 checkpoint, so lines build fast ahead of those 7:00–8:00 a.m. departures. Expect standard chain pricing, with drip coffee usually under $4 and specialty drinks closer to $6–$7 depending on size and extras.
This is a full Caribou setup, not just a kiosk, so you’ll find espresso drinks, cold brew, and blended coolers alongside basic pastries. A large Mocha or Caramel High Rise runs in the $6 range, while a plain Americano comes in closer to $4–$5. Food is mostly grab-and-go: muffins, cookies, and a few warmed breakfast sandwiches that sit in the $5–$7 band. It’s enough to count as breakfast on a short hop out of RDU.
Seating in Terminal 1 is limited, so most people grab their Caribou order and head toward gates 1–9 to find an open chair. The shop is positioned along the main concourse, so you can easily spot it while walking from security to the far end near Gate 9. Turnaround times on drinks are typically under 10 minutes, but when three or more flights are boarding at once, that can stretch toward 15.
Watch timing here: Southwest often boards 30 minutes before departure, and the Caribou queue can hit 15–20 people deep around 6:30–8:30 a.m. If you have a tight 40-minute connection within Terminal 1, you may not want to risk a made-to-order latte. One practical tip: mobile-order via the Caribou app as soon as you clear security, then walk straight to the pickup counter to save at least 5–10 minutes in line.