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Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) opened in 1943 as a military airfield and now serves the Research Triangle region of North Carolina. Located in Morrisville between Raleigh and Durham, it is a focus city for Delta Air Lines and offers nonstop flights to over 50 destinations, including transatlantic service. The airport features two terminals, with Terminal 2 handling most major carriers and international flights.
💡 Local Tip
Frequent visitors know that the TSA checkpoint at Terminal 1 is usually much faster than Terminal 2, so if flying Southwest or Spirit, you can arrive closer to departure. For parking, off-site lots like The Parking Spot often beat on-site economy rates.
🚖 Getting There
Rideshare and taxis are the most convenient options, with designated pickup areas outside each terminal. GoTriangle buses (Route 100 to Raleigh, Route 700 to Durham) are budget-friendly but run infrequently on weekends. Rental cars are available via a consolidated facility accessible by shuttle from both terminals.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What airlines operate at RDU?
A: RDU is served by all major U.S. airlines, including Delta, American, United, Southwest, and JetBlue, plus international carriers. Terminal 1 hosts Southwest, Spirit, and some others; Terminal 2 hosts Delta, American, United, and international flights.
Q: How far is RDU from downtown Raleigh and Durham?
A: RDU is about 12 miles (20 minutes) from downtown Raleigh and about 12 miles (20 minutes) from downtown Durham, depending on traffic. It's located in Morrisville, roughly midway between the two cities.
Q: What transportation options are available from RDU to the city centers?
A: Options include taxis, rideshare (Uber/Lyft), rental cars, and GoTriangle public buses (Route 100 to Raleigh, Route 700 to Durham). The bus is the cheapest but has limited hours.
Q: Is there a hotel at RDU?
A: There is no hotel directly connected to the terminals, but several hotels near the airport offer free shuttles, including the Hilton Garden Inn and Hyatt Place. The RDU Airport Authority also has a cell phone lot for waiting.
AI-generated content · Generated Sep 27, 2026 · deepseek-v4.1-flash