RDU · Raleigh, NC · Large Hub
Raleigh-Durham International Airport Guide
Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), sourced from the airport or the operator that runs each service, with minimums from OAG data.
Quick answer
- Terminals: 2 terminals
- Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
- Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international (airport's advice)
- Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes
Map
Terminals & connections
Raleigh-Durham International Airport has 2 terminals. Transfer system: Free shuttle between T1 and T2 (landside). Terminal transfers require shuttle and re-security.
Terminal 1
4 airlines: Alaska Airlines, Breeze Airways, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines
Alaska, Avelo, Breeze, Southwest and Sun Country.
Terminal 2
13 airlines: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue, Icelandair, Air Canada, and more
American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Frontier and the international carriers.
Minimum connection times
- Domestic to domestic
- 30 min
- Domestic to international
- 1 hr
- International to domestic
- 1 hr 30 min
- International to international
- 1 hr 30 min
- Transfer system
- Free shuttle between T1 and T2 (landside)
- Airside connected
- Not published
Layover helper
Find how long to plan for a connection at RDU: the official minimum connection time, plus a comfortable time of 30 minutes more, or 60 more when you clear customs or go through security again after a terminal change. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.
Writing about RDU? Embed this connection time calculator on your site
Security & TSA
Security waits at RDU vary by time of day and checkpoint. Raleigh-Durham International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight.
- TSA PreCheck
- Available
- CLEAR
- Available
- Global Entry
- Available
Lounges
1 notable lounge at RDU, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.
The Club RDU
Terminal 2Priority Pass
Access: Priority Pass, day pass
Amenities: Bar
Amenities
4 of 7 core amenities available at RDU: showers, free WiFi, nursing rooms, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.
Showers
Available
The Club RDU
Sleep pods
Not available
WiFi
Free (good)
Nursing rooms
Available
Both terminals
Chapel
Not available
Pet relief areas
Available
Pet relief areas
Dining highlights
Terminal 2: The Pit Authentic BBQ, Carolina Ale House
Ground transport to Raleigh
No official source we checked publishes a ride time from RDU to downtown Raleigh.
| Option | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
Uber/Lyft Rideshare | Varies | Varies |
GoTriangle Route 100 Bus | $2.50 | Varies |
Parking
RDU parking ranges from $14.5/day economy to $34/day short-term. Official drive-up daily rates: ParkRDU Premier $34 (closest to the terminals), ParkRDU Central $22.75, ParkRDU Express $18.50, ParkRDU Economy $14.50. Premier is shown as the short-term rate, Central as long-term, and Economy as economy.
- Short-term
- $34/day
- Long-term
- $22.75/day
- Economy
- $14.5/day
- Valet
- Not published
Can I leave RDU during a layover?
With a 3-hour layover, stay inside RDU. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Raleigh.
Research Triangle Park, downtown Raleigh and Durham are all reachable by rideshare or GoTriangle bus. A BBQ lunch is the classic layover trip.
Overnight layover hotels
- $$Renaissance Raleigh North Hills15-min rideshare
Frequently asked questions
How early should I arrive at RDU?
Raleigh-Durham International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, so add buffer at busy times.
What is the minimum connection time at RDU?
RDU requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. Transfer system: Free shuttle between T1 and T2 (landside).
How long does it take to get between terminals at RDU?
We have no officially published terminal-to-terminal transfer time for RDU, so plan around the minimum connection time and add time for the terminal change.
Can I leave RDU during a 6-hour layover?
With 3 hours you should stay inside RDU. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Research Triangle Park, downtown Raleigh and Durham are all reachable by rideshare or GoTriangle bus. A BBQ lunch is the classic layover trip.
Does RDU have showers?
Yes, RDU has showers at The Club RDU.
Does RDU have sleep pods?
RDU does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.
Is WiFi free at RDU?
Yes. RDU offers free WiFi throughout the airport.
What is the cheapest way to get from RDU to Raleigh?
The cheapest option is typically GoTriangle Route 100 at $2.50, taking a variable amount of time.
Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at RDU?
RDU supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint.
Where should I eat at RDU during a layover?
Notable dining at RDU includes The Pit Authentic BBQ (Terminal 2), Carolina Ale House (Terminal 2).
How much does parking cost at RDU?
RDU parking rates: $34/day short-term, $22.75/day long-term, $14.5/day economy. Official drive-up daily rates: ParkRDU Premier $34 (closest to the terminals), ParkRDU Central $22.75, ParkRDU Express $18.50, ParkRDU Economy $14.50. Premier is shown as the short-term rate, Central as long-term, and Economy as economy.
Is there a hotel at RDU for overnight layovers?
The closest option is Renaissance Raleigh North Hills (15-min rideshare, $$). Budget time for the shuttle or rideshare in your overnight plan.
Which terminal does my airline use at RDU?
RDU has 2 terminals. Major airline assignments: Terminal 1: Alaska Airlines, Breeze Airways, Southwest Airlines; Terminal 2: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.
Are there pet relief areas at RDU?
Yes. Pet relief areas.
Compare RDU to other airports
See how RDU ranks against the other 111 airports in our dataset.
Airlines operating at RDU
Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of RDU.
Compare other airports
Sources & verification
- Overview: https://www.rdu.com
- Ground transport: https://www.rdu.com/ground-transportation https://gotriangle.org/fares-and-passes/
- Terminals: https://www.rdu.com/ https://www.rdu.com/flights/airlines
- Connection times: https://www.expertflyer.com/air/travel-information https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/WelcomeToTheUS.pdf
- Security: https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/schedule https://www.rdu.com/travel-tips
- Parking: https://www.rdu.com/parking/
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raleigh%E2%80%93Durham_International_Airport
Connection times, security, ground transport and parking verified Oct 2026 against the sources above. Amenities, lounges and nearby hotels without a listed source are not yet verified. Always confirm with Raleigh-Durham International Airport before flying.
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