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RDU

Raleigh-Durham International Airport

Raleigh-Durham, United States

Where to start
Rideshare from the terminal's designated zone / GoTriangle Route 100

Check which terminal you're in first — Terminal 1 serves Southwest and other low-cost carriers, Terminal 2 serves American, Delta, United and international flights. Rideshare picks up at Zone 1 (Terminal 1) or Zone 8 (Terminal 2), at the far south end of the commercial island. Taxis queue at the north end. GoTriangle Route 100 stops between zones 2 and 3 at Terminal 1 and between zones 6 and 7 at Terminal 2.

Ride Options

Uber

rideshare

Door-to-door across the Triangle

AvailabilityCommonly available 24 hours; waits stretch slightly after 11 p.m.
Pickup NoteZone 1 at Terminal 1, Zone 8 at Terminal 2 — far south end of the commercial island.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Lyft

rideshare

Alternative rideshare

AvailabilityCommonly available
Pickup NoteSame geofenced zones as Uber — Zone 1 (T1) or Zone 8 (T2).
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Taxi Taxi (RDU Authorised Taxi)

taxi

Leaving immediately without waiting for a car to arrive

AvailabilityAvailable around the clock; the queue thins after 11 p.m.
Pickup NoteNorth end of each terminal — T1 outside baggage claim, T2 lower level.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Visit Website

GoTriangle Route 100

transit

Lowest-cost option if you're travelling light and have time

AvailabilityRuns to the Regional Transit Center and downtown Raleigh; does not run late at night
Pickup NoteT1 between zones 2 and 3; T2 between zones 6 and 7. Reaching Durham or Chapel Hill usually needs a transfer, pushing total journey time well past an hour.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate pre-booked door-to-door transfer

AvailabilityAvailable at Raleigh-Durham — book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Book Transfer

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

Prearranged services area — Zone 1 at Terminal 1, Zone 8 at Terminal 2, at the far south end of the commercial island. Exit baggage claim to the arrivals curb, cross to the island, and walk south. Zones are geofenced; drivers cannot collect elsewhere.

Taxi

North end of each terminal. At Terminal 1 the rank is outside baggage claim at the north end; at Terminal 2 it's on the lower level at the north end. Taxi Taxi is the airport's authorised taxi operator.

Shuttle

Hotel shuttles use the red zones outside the terminals. Private and shared-ride shuttles depart from the brown area outside baggage claim. The rental car centre is off-terminal, served by its own shuttle.

Transit

GoTriangle Route 100 stops at Terminal 1 between zones 2 and 3 and at Terminal 2 between zones 6 and 7. It runs to the Regional Transit Center west of the airport and toward downtown Raleigh.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked cars use the prearranged services area alongside rideshare. Meet-and-greet drivers typically wait inside baggage claim — confirm terminal and meeting point with your operator, since the two terminals are separate buildings.

Travel Extras

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Local Tips

  • RDU is roughly equidistant between Raleigh and Durham, and neither is "the" city — confirm your destination before choosing a mode, because Chapel Hill and Research Triangle Park are different directions again.
  • There is no train. The regional light rail project has been shelved indefinitely; anyone expecting a rail link will be disappointed.
  • Research Triangle Park is very close to the airport — much closer than either downtown — which makes a short rideshare hop the sensible choice for business arrivals.
  • The two terminals are separate buildings. If someone is collecting you, tell them the terminal number, not just "RDU."
  • GoTriangle to Durham or Chapel Hill involves a connection at the Regional Transit Center; budget well over an hour door to door.

Tarmyq local tip

Commit to your mode before you walk outside. Taxis cluster at the north end, rideshare is geofenced to the far south end, and the bus stop sits in the middle — so guessing wrong means walking the whole island and back.