Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) — Terminals, Lounges & Travel Tips
Raleigh–Durham, NC, United States · RDU
Terminal Guide
| Terminal | Airlines |
|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant |
| Terminal 2 | American, Delta, United, Alaska, British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa |
Getting There — Ground Transportation
- GoTriangle Route 100: GoTriangle Bus 100 connects RDU to Raleigh Union Station (connecting to Amtrak, local buses) in about 30 min for $2.25.
- Rideshare: Uber/Lyft from the designated cell phone lots adjacent to each terminal.
- Taxi: Metered; expect $30–40 to downtown Raleigh, $25–35 to Durham, $40–50 to Chapel Hill.
- Car Rental: On-site facility adjacent to Terminal 2.
Airport Lounge Directory
| Lounge | Location | Access |
|---|---|---|
| American Admirals Club | Terminal 2 | Admirals Club membership, Citi AAdvantage Executive card |
| Delta Sky Club | Terminal 2 | Delta Sky Club membership, Amex Platinum/Reserve (limited visits) |
| United Club | Terminal 2 | United Club membership, United MileagePlus Club card |
Pro Tips for RDU Travelers
- RDU is often praised for its manageable size — security lines and connections are generally faster than larger nearby airports.
- Direct flights to London Heathrow (British Airways) and Paris (Air France) are ideal for Triangle tech workers doing European business.
- Research Triangle traffic is growing fast — afternoon rushes on I-40 and I-540 near the airport have lengthened considerably.
- Terminal 2 has significantly better food and lounge options than Terminal 1 — check in advance which terminal you'll use.
- Long-term parking in the economy lots is very reasonably priced by major airport standards.
- RDU is equidistant between Raleigh and Durham (~15 miles each) — plan your ground transportation accordingly.
- Peak travel times are Sunday evenings and Monday mornings (business travelers) and Friday afternoons.
Know Before You Land — RDU Checklist
Review these before your flight so you hit the ground running at Raleigh–Durham.
- Confirm which terminal your airline uses — Raleigh-Durham International Airport has 2 terminals and inter-terminal transfers may take 15–30 minutes.
- No direct rail link — rideshare is the most flexible option. Uber/Lyft from the designated cell phone lots adjacent to each terminal.
- Renting a car? On-site facility adjacent to Terminal 2.
- Amex Platinum/Centurion holders: Delta Sky Club (Terminal 2).
- American Airlines hub: expect higher flight frequency and stronger upgrade/standby availability for American Airlines elite members.
- RDU is often praised for its manageable size — security lines and connections are generally faster than larger nearby airports.