Raleigh-Durham Airport: Location And Travel Tips

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is located in Wake County, North Carolina, United States. It is the main airport serving Raleigh, Durham, and the surrounding Research Triangle region. The airport is centrally located between Durham and Raleigh, about 25 miles apart, and is co-owned by the two cities along with Wake and Durham counties. RDU covers 5,000 acres and features two terminals with 45 gates in total, offering passenger service to over 70 destinations, including international locations such as London, Paris, and Toronto. The airport is easily accessible from downtown Durham and Raleigh, making it a convenient travel hub for residents and visitors alike.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)

RDU is centrally located in North Carolina, with Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill all within a 30-minute drive. Despite the hyphenated name, Raleigh and Durham are distinct cities about 25 miles apart. The airport is co-owned by the cities of Raleigh and Durham, along with Durham and Wake counties.

The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, serving international, national, and regional airlines. Terminal 1, which opened in 1955 and was modernised in 2014, currently has nine gates. Terminal 2, the larger of the two, opened in 2008 and features 36 gates, tall arched ceilings, and wood and steel beams. Terminal 2 also offers a variety of dining and shopping options, including popular local brands.

RDU provides a range of services to ensure a smooth travel experience. Accessibility services are available, and the airport has launched the Sunflower program to assist travellers with hidden disabilities. RDU also offers convenient parking options, with a central garage and lot, along with economy lots accessible by shuttle. Additionally, ground transportation options include taxis, hotel shuttles, rental cars, buses, and rideshare services.

With more than 11.8 million passengers annually, RDU is a bustling airport that serves as a gateway to Durham and the Triangle Region. Its convenient location and range of amenities make it a popular choice for travellers to and from North Carolina.

RDU's location

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is located in Wake County, North Carolina, United States. It is situated between the cities of Raleigh and Durham, which are about 25 miles apart and co-own the airport along with the counties of Durham and Wake. The airport is surrounded by the city of Raleigh to the north and east, and the towns of Cary and Morrisville to the south.

RDU is the main airport serving Raleigh, Durham, and the surrounding Research Triangle region of North Carolina. It covers an area of 5,000 acres and has two terminals with a total of 45 gates. The airport is centrally located in North Carolina, making it a convenient travel hub for residents and visitors. It takes less than 30 minutes to get to Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill from the airport by car.

The airport is known for its accessibility and convenience, with many transportation options available for travellers. It offers a range of parking options, including a central garage and lot within walking distance from the terminals, as well as economy lots accessible by shuttle. RDU also has a shuttle bus service and is easily accessible by taxi, rideshare, or bus.

RDU provides flights to over 70 destinations, including 14 international destinations in eleven countries. It offers direct flights to cities such as Reykjavik, London, Paris, Frankfurt, San Juan, Mexico City, Cancun, Montreal, Toronto, and Panama City. The airport serves as an operating base for Avelo Airlines and a focus city for Delta Air Lines.

Transport to and from RDU

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is located in the centre of the Research Triangle Region, midway between the cities of Durham and Raleigh, which co-own the airport. RDU offers a variety of ground transportation options to and from the airport, including bus, rail, personal transportation services, and shared ride services.

Bus and Rail Services

The GoTriangle Route 100 and RDU Shuttle bus routes provide public bus service from the airport to its Regional Transit Center, where passengers can connect to bus routes throughout the region. The bus pick-up locations are as follows:

• Terminal 1: GoTriangle service between Zone 2/3
• Terminal 2: GoTriangle service at Zone 6/7

For passengers needing to connect to national bus and/or train services, transportation can be arranged through one of the airport's transportation service providers. Bus and rail stations are located in Cary, Raleigh, and Durham.

Personal Transportation Services

Personal transportation services, such as limousines, pick up passengers from the brown limo zones outside the bag claim in each terminal. A list of permitted personal transportation services can be found on the RDU website.

Shared Transportation Services

Shared ride services, such as ride-sharing apps, also pick up passengers from the brown limo zones outside the bag claim in each terminal. A list of permitted shared transportation services is available on the RDU website.

Other Options

Charter buses transporting passengers to or from RDU must possess a commercial vehicle permit. To schedule a charter bus pick-up or drop-off, contact RDU Ground Transportation. Additionally, some hotels in the area, such as the Residence Inn Raleigh-Durham Airport/Brier Creek, offer complimentary airport shuttle services for their guests.

RDU's history

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is located at the edge of Wake County, midway between the cities of Durham and Raleigh, which co-own the airport along with Durham and Wake counties. The airport covers around 5,000 acres and is situated roughly 12 miles from downtown Raleigh and Durham, making it a convenient travel hub for residents and visitors.

The history of the airport can be traced back to the 1930s when the N.C. General Assembly established the Raleigh-Durham Aeronautical Authority in 1939, which was later changed to the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority in 1945. During this time, Eastern Airlines President Captain Eddie Rickenbacker urged the local counties and cities to build an airport together, appealing to their civic pride and sense of community.

In the 1940s, the airport construction was taken over by the federal government for use during World War II. The base was designated as the Raleigh-Durham Army Air Field in January 1943, with barracks and three runways becoming operational on May 1, 1943. It served as a training facility for the Army Air Corps. Eastern Airlines was permitted to use the airfield and began service from RDU to New York and Miami in 1943, marking the beginning of commercial flight operations at the airport.

In the post-war years, the airport continued to expand and improve its facilities. Capital Airlines, later renamed United, began service at RDU in 1947, followed by Piedmont Airlines (which would later become US Airways) in 1948. The airport's first terminal opened in 1955, and Eastern Airlines brought the commercial jet age to RDU with Boeing 727 jet service in 1965.

The 1970s and 1980s saw further growth and development, with Delta Air Lines becoming the fourth carrier to serve RDU in 1970, and Terminal A opening in 1982. The current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control Tower opened in May 1987, and American Airlines opened its north-south hub operation at RDU in the new Terminal C, bringing international flights to Bermuda, Cancun, and Paris-Orly.

In the 1990s, RDU continued to attract new carriers, including Midway Airlines, ValuJet (later AirTran Airways), Continental Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. The airport also underwent expansions and improvements, including the opening of Park and Ride 4 in 1999 to accommodate the growing number of travelers.

In the early 2000s, RDU experienced significant growth, ranking as the nation's second fastest-growing major airport in the U.S. by Airports Council International in 2000. The airport expanded its parking facilities, opened a new terminal area parking garage, and doubled the capacity of Park and Ride 3. Terminal 2, RDU's first new passenger facility in over 20 years, opened in October 2008, followed by the completion of Phase II of the project in 2011.

Today, Raleigh-Durham International Airport continues to thrive, serving over 30,000 passengers daily and offering nonstop flights to 57 destinations worldwide. The airport has come a long way from its humble beginnings, and its success is a testament to the support and growth of the surrounding community and region.

Hotels near RDU

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is located at the edge of Wake County, midway between the cities of Durham and Raleigh, North Carolina. There are numerous hotels near the airport, catering to a range of budgets and preferences. Here are some options:

Luxury:

The Westin Raleigh-Durham Airport is a highly-rated hotel located 1.9 miles from the airport. Guests have praised the hotel for its proximity to the airport, as well as its quiet rooms.

Mid-range:

The Hyatt House Raleigh/RDU/Brier Creek is located 1.6 miles from the airport and offers free parking, free WiFi, and a free area shuttle. It is highly regarded for its cleanliness and pleasant staff.

Budget:

The Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Raleigh Durham Airport is a good option for those on a budget. Located 2.1 miles from the airport, it offers free breakfast, free parking, and free WiFi.

Other notable mentions include the Hilton Garden Inn Raleigh-Durham Airport, which is 1.6 miles from the airport and features an on-site restaurant, free WiFi, and an indoor pool; the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Raleigh-Durham Airport, NC, which is 1.7 miles away and offers free breakfast, free parking, and free shuttle service; and the Tru by Hilton Raleigh Durham Airport, which is 1.7 miles from the airport and has a fitness centre, shared lounge, and terrace.

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