Raleigh-Durham International Airport [RDU] – Ultimate Terminal Guide

BY 

Amar Hussain

- UPDATED: January 14, 2021

1. Travel Guides & Resources  / 
2. Airport Guides

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Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is the main airport serving the Research Triangle of North Carolina. Over 14.2 million passengers traveled to and from the airport in 2019, an 11% increase to 2018.

As a focus city for Delta Air Lines, the airline accounted for around 30% of the passenger traffic and launched its inaugural flight to Paris-Charles de Gaulle in February 2020.

Quick Info

Airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Terminals: Terminals 1 and 2
Airport Address: 2400 John Brantley Blvd., Morrisville, NC 27560
Distance From Downtown Raleigh: 11 miles (18 km)
Distance From Downtown Durham: 10.5 miles (17 km)
Website: rdu.com
Phone Number: 919-840-2123
Annual Passengers: 14.2 million
Daily Arrivals and Departures: 600
Destinations: 52 domestic and 5 international destinations
Flight Information: Departures and arrivals info can be found here

Airlines Operating From RDU

Terminal 1

• Southwest Airlines

Terminal 2

• Air Canada
• Alaska Airlines
• Allegiant Air
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Frontier Air Lines
• JetBlue
• Spirit Airlines
• United Airlines

RDU Airport Terminals

RDU consists of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 that are located on either side of the airport. The parking garages are in between the 2 terminals, and a looping road provides curbside access to both terminals, connecting to I-40 and I-540.

Rental car offices are located southwest of the terminals, along with the cell phone waiting lot.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 is a small terminal that is used by Southwest Airlines only for domestic flights. Terminal facilities are split across 2 levels, with ticketing, baggage claim, and ground transportation on the ground level and the security checkpoint and departures concourse on the upper level.

From the ground level, passengers can access a tunnel that leads to the parking garage and through to Terminal 2. The upper-level concourse has 9 gates numbered A1-A9 and a small selection of shops and restaurants.

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 also operates across 2 levels, with baggage claim on the lower level along with access to ground transportation facilities. The ticketing area and the security checkpoint are located on the upper level leading through to the departures concourses.

There are 2 concourses on the upper level. Arriving from the security checkpoint, Concourse C is to the right and has 19 gates numbered C1, C3, C7 to C12, C14 to C18, and C20 to C25. There’s a good selection of shops and restaurants and an Admirals Club and Delta Sky Club opposite gate C3.

Concourse D is to the left and has 17 gates numbered D1, D3, D5, D6, and D8 to D20. There’s a good selection of shops and restaurants and a United Club across from gate D3.

Inter-Terminal Transport

Walking

Passengers can walk between the 2 terminals by taking the walkway through the terminal garage. Outside of Terminal 2, the walkway is accessible from an underground tunnel to the parking garage, and from outside Terminal 1, passengers can walk across John Brantley Boulevard. The walk takes 5 to 10 minutes between terminals.

Terminal Shuttle

Passengers can ride a shuttle bus between the 2 terminals that also runs to the economy parking lots. From Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, take the Lot 3 bus and from Terminal 2 to Terminal 2, take the Lot 4 bus.

Security and Customs at RDU

RDU has 2 security checkpoints with 1 located in both terminals. These are open from 4 a.m. and close at the last departure.

TSA PreCheck

There are dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes at both security checkpoints. Opening hours vary, so it’s best to check on the TSA website.

RDU has a TSA Enrollment Center in the baggage claim area near carousel 5. The office is open from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Global Entry

Global Entry kiosks are located at RDU for expedited clearance of passengers arriving into the U.S. from international flights.

There’s no Global Entry Enrollment Center at RDU, with the closest located at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT).

Mobile Passport

RDU participates in Mobile Passport Control for U.S. citizens arriving on international flights.

RDU Airport Lounges

*Hours are subject to change without notice. Lounge access may be restricted at times due to capacity.
**Day Pass for any passenger. Lounges marked as N/A only allow entry for eligible passengers in their premium cabins, frequent flyer programs, or participating credit card programs.

Hot Tip: Want lounge access, but don’t want to pay the entry fee? Check out the best personal and business credit cards that include complimentary airport lounge access.

Dining and Drinks at RDU

RDU has 22 restaurants, cafes, and fast-food counters throughout the airport. Both terminals have a Starbucks outside of the secure area, but all other dining facilities are post-security.

RDU Wi-Fi and Charging Points

RDU provides free Wi-Fi at all of its public areas, including gates and baggage claim. To connect, select “RDU Free WiFi” from the available networks.

Charging Points: Select seats throughout the airport have charging points, and these can also be found at gate areas.

RDU Airport Lost and Found

The department you will need to contact depends on where you lose the item:

• Within the public areas of the terminal: [email protected] or 919-840-7553
• At a security checkpoint: 919-468-4053
• On an airplane: contact the relevant airline

Additional Airport Information

Information Services

Information counters are located in the baggage claim areas of Terminals 1 and 2. The Terminal 1 counter is staffed daily from 7 a.m. to midnight and the Terminal 2 counter from 5:30 a.m. to midnight.

Baby Facilities

RDU has 2 nursing rooms, located at:

• Terminal 1: near gate A6
• Terminal 2 near gate C8

Traveling With a Pet

RDU has 2 pet relief areas located at:

• Terminal 1: outside the terminal at the north end
• Terminal 2: lower level, outside the terminal at the north end

Smoking Areas

Smoking is permitted in the following locations:

• Terminal 1: outside the terminal at either end of the building
• Terminal 2:
  • Upper level, outside the terminal at the south end
  • Lower level, outside the terminal at either end of the building

Money

ATMs are located in the baggage claim areas and concourses at both terminals.

Foreign currency is available in the Terminal 2 ticketing lobby and in baggage claim.

Luggage Storage

There are no luggage storage facilities at RDU.

Important RDU Phone Numbers

Customer Service: 919-840-2123

Parking Services: 919-840-2140

Lost and Found: 919-840-7553

Travel to and From RDU

Transport Options

Train

There are no direct train services that operate from RDU, but passengers can connect to services at Raleigh.

Bus

The GoTriangle Route 100 bus operates between RDU and the Regional Transit Center located west of the airport. Buses depart from Terminal 1 between zones 2 and 3 and between zones 6 and 7 at Terminal 2.

Shuttles

• Hotel Shuttles: Many hotels based in the Research Triangle region provide shuttle services to the airport. Shuttles operate from the red zones outside of the terminals.
• Private and Shared Shuttles: These depart from the brown area outside baggage claim. The airport recommends these private ride shuttles and these shared-ride shuttles.

Taxi

Taxi ranks are available outside of both terminals. At Terminal 1, this is located outside of baggage claim at the north end of the terminal, and at Terminal 2, taxis are on the lower level outside the north end of the terminal.

Rideshare

Rideshare operators Uber, Lyft, and Wingz are authorized to operate from RDU. Drivers may pick up passengers from the prearranged services area that is located at zone 1 of Terminal 1 and zone 8 of Terminal 2.

Directions by Car to RDU

Arriving From Downtown Raleigh

Take Wade Avenue and merge onto I-40 West. Take exit 284 for Airport Boulevard towards RDU Airport and turn right onto Airport Boulevard for access to the terminals.

Arriving From Downtown Durham

Take NC-147 South and use the left 2 lanes to take exit 5A to merge onto I-40 East towards RDU Airport/Raleigh. Take exit 283 to merge onto I-540 E towards US-70. Take exit 2 for Aviation Parkway and merge onto Aviation Parkway for access to the terminals.

RDU Airport Parking Information

ParkRDU Central

The ParkRDU Central lot is located directly between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. To reach the parking lot, passengers can walk through the underground tunnel from Terminal 1 and across John Brantley Boulevard from Terminal 2. Covered and uncovered parking is available for $2 per hour (for the first 4 hours) and $15 per day.

ParkRDU Premier

Premier parking is available on the ground level of the ParkRDU Central lot. Dedicated premier spaces are located closest to entrances and exit for the quickest access to the terminals. Parking is charged at $3 per hour (for the first 4 hours) and $22 per day.

ParkRDU Express

The ParkRDU Express lot is located northeast of the airport and provides uncovered, mid-range priced parking. A trunk-to-terminal shuttle service operates every 5 minutes with complimentary bottled water. The parking rates are $2 per hour (for the first 4 hours) and $12 per day.

ParkRDU Economy 3 and 4

ParkRDU Economy lots 3 and 4 are located a short distance from both terminals, and passengers may ride the courtesy shuttle buses that operate every 20 minutes. Economy lot 3 is at the south end of the airport, and Economy lot 4 is at the north end of the airport. Parking rates are:

• ParkRDU Economy lot 3: $1 per hour (up to 4 hours on the day of entry) and $8 per day
• ParkRDU Economy lot 4: $1 per hour (up to 4 hours on the day of entry) and $7 per day

Pick-Up and Drop-Off Parking

Visitors picking up passengers may want to wait in the cell phone waiting lot, located at 1000 Trade Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560. Visitors must remain with their vehicle until the passenger is ready for curbside pick up. The lot is a 3-minute drive from the terminals.

Hotel and Off-Airport Parking

Although RDU’s economy daily parking is some of the most expensive we’ve seen, you can book cheaper parking at off-airport parking lots and hotels.

Off-site parking can be booked at airportparkingreservations.com for as little as $4.50 per day.

Parking for Passengers With Disabilities

There are 310 accessible parking spaces across the airport’s parking lots, located closest to exits/entrances and shuttle stops. All shuttle buses operating to and from the parking lots are wheelchair accessible.

Parking Contact Number

General Inquiries: 919-840-2140

Car Rental at RDU Airport

Rental car offices are located south of the airport, and all offer courtesy shuttle buses to and from the terminals. Shuttles operate from the green stops outside of baggage claim at zone 5 in Terminal 1 and zone 18 in Terminal 2.

The following rental companies are available on-airport property:

• Advantage: 800-777-5500
• Alamo: 800-327-9633
• Avis: 800-331-1212
• Budget: 800-527-0700
• Dollar: 800-800-4000
• Enterprise: 800-736-8222
• EZ Rent-A-Car: 800-277-5171
• Hertz: 800-654-3131
• National: 800-227-7368
• Payless: 800-729-5377
• Thrifty: 800-227-7368

Hot Tip: Read about the credit cards that include car rental insurance so you can avoid paying for expensive insurance through the rental provider.

RDU Airport Hotels

There are no hotels on RDU airport property, however, the closest accommodation is only 1.6 miles away. There’s a good selection of 2- to 4-star hotels available within a 2.5-mile radius.

Top 3 Hotel Stays Using Points

The Hyatt Place Raleigh Durham Airport is ideally located a half-mile from the airport and within close proximity to Research Triangle Park. The hotel is pet-friendly and offers an indoor pool, an on-site restaurant, a fitness center, and free breakfast for all guests. Better yet, as a Category 1 property in the Hyatt portfolio, award nights at the hotel cost just 5,000 points per night!

Four Points by Sheraton – Raleigh-Durham Airport is centrally located in Raleigh with easy access to Cary, Durham, and Chapel Hill for local shopping, dining, and entertainment. Guests will enjoy amenities like the indoor pool, a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, free breakfast for all guests, and a free airport shuttle. The hotel is a Category 3 Marriott Bonvoy property, so award nights cost 15,000 points on off-peak nights, 17,500 points on standard nights, and 20,000 points on peak nights.

Hilton loyalists will feel at home at the Hilton Garden Inn Raleigh-Durham. You’ll find that it offers all of the amenities you’ll need for an enjoyable stay like a free airport shuttle, 24-hour fitness center, indoor pool, business center, and an on-site restaurant. Hilton no longer publishes an award chart, so the price can vary based on the season and demand, but you can expect to pay somewhere between 22,000 and 40,000 points per night.

Hot Tip: If you’re looking to top off your points to stay at any of these options, see our guides on the best ways to earn more Hilton Honors points, World of Hyatt points, or Marriott Bonvoy points.

Final Thoughts

In 2017, the Federal Aviation Administration approved the airport’s Vision 2040 plan for airport expansion. With a completion date of 2040, this long-term plan doesn’t account for any immediate developments, but with the airport around 10 years ahead of its projected growth, that will need to be revisited. The Vision 2040 plans include gate expansion at both Terminals 1 and 2, a new rental car center and ground transportation facilities, and improvements to some of the parking lots.