Traveling via plane is fun — jet-setting over beautiful blue waters or rolling hills, taking in cloud formations, and landing in a completely different location in a matter of hours is unlike anything else.

The whole navigating the airport part? Less exciting, and sometimes pretty stressful. To help make your time at Raleigh-Durham International Airport as smooth as possible, we’ve created a guide that covers everything from gates and parking to details on the airport’s 75+ nonstop routes.

What to know

TSA | According to RDU's website, it takes ~30 minutes to get through security during off-peak hours, but could take longer during peak hours (early morning, midday, and evening). RDU recommends arriving at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.
Map it out | If you’re like us and need to completely visualize a place before you step foot inside, these maps of the entire airport will be your saving grace.
Food and drink | Grab a bev or light bite from the new Black & White Coffee Roasters location or go across the aisle to Crawford's Genuine for a hearty bite of Southern cuisine. Both are in Terminal 2.
Reminder| As of May 7, 2025, you need a REAL ID to board commercial flights in the US sans passport or another certain federal ID.
Flight status | While we recommend staying updated via your respective airline, you can also check the airport’s dashboard for your flight status in a pinch.

Airport updates

In October, Air France will become RDU’s 15th airline. | Photo by RALtoday

In 2023, RDU was the fastest growing airport in the US with over 20% increase in seats available year over year. RDU is taking off with its Vision 2040 Master Plan — a long-term and flexible outline of the airport's plans to grow. The 25-year vision (which was delayed by COVID-19) includes projects like replacing RDU's primary runway and adding new gates and amenities to Terminal 2 as part of the Landside Expansion Plan.

The expansion plan includes extending the airport’s signature Terminal 2 building on both ends to accommodate more ticket counters, security checkpoints, and baggage carousels in addition to improvements to lobby areas, retail spaces, and roadways. RDU’s new runway has already begun construction and will be completed in 2028.

Parking, shuttles, and rideshare

Parking is a breeze at RDU. | Photo via Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority

Not everyone has a bestie who will drop everything to pick them up from their 3 a.m. landing. All of RDU's parking lots and garages offer hourly and per-day parking:

Economy | $3/hour, $12/day | Two lots with a free, 24-hour shuttle service to the terminals; great for long-term parking.
Express | $4.25/hour, $17/day | A mid-priced option with a free, 24-hour shuttle to the terminals.
Central | $5.25/hour, $21/day | Located in the garage between Terminals 1 or 2, within a short walking distance to both.
Premier | $8/hour, $32/day | A covered lot on the ground floor of the garage between Terminals 1 or 2, within a short walking distance to both.

Check here to see if a lot is open and how full it is. You can even book your spot in advance.

Hate the thought of driving yourself? Try out a shuttle, rideshare, or taxi service that will take you to and from the terminal. These services are suggested by RDU:

Taxi Taxi | Taxi | Call 919-333-3333 or book your cab online.
GoTriangle | Bus | Pick up service between Zone 2/3 (Terminal 1) or Zone 6/7 (Terminal 2).
Hotel shuttles | Shuttle | Visit the Accommodations and Reservations area in baggage claim to contact your hotel to let them know you’ve arrived.

Rideshare pick-up locations are at Zone 1 (Terminal 1) and Zone 8 (Terminal 2). Drop-off spots are located curbside at Terminal 1 and at the upper (departures) level of Terminal 2. If you're picking someone up, you can wait in the Cell Lot.

Nonstop flights

Cut down your travel time with TSA PreCheck. | Photo courtesy of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority

Raleigh offers 75+ nonstop destinations — 65 domestic that fly to five US regions, plus 14 international flights to 11 countries. Here are 50+ nonstop flights to 18 popular locations.

Bonus: Get lower fares by signing up for Going. You’ll get emailed when flights are 40-90% cheaper than usual. Get a two-week free trial of the Premium plan, which lets you set custom destination flight alerts (score).

Atlanta | Delta, Frontier, Southwest
Austin | Delta, Southwest
Baltimore | Southwest, Spirit
Boston | Delta, Frontier, Jet Blue
Charlotte | American
Chicago | American, Frontier, Southwest, United
Dallas + Fort Worth | American, Frontier, Spirit, Southwest
Fort Lauderdale | Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit
Las Vegas | Delta, Frontier, Southwest
Los Angeles | American, Breeze, Delta
Miami | American, Delta, Frontier
Nashville | American, Delta, Southwest, Spirit
New York, Kennedy and LaGuardia | American, Delta, JetBlue, Frontier
Orlando | Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Southwest
Philadelphia | American, Frontier
Pittsburgh | American, Breeze
Tampa | American, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Southwest
Washington, D.C., Dulles and Reagan | United, American, Delta

Gates

According to RDU, most passengers wait less than 30 minutes at TSA. | Photo via Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority

Terminal 1

Alaska | Gate as assigned
Avelo and Spirit | Gates A1-A4 as assigned
Breeze | Gates A1-A4 as assigned
Southwest | Gates A5-A8
Spirit | Gates A1-A4 as assigned
Sun Country | Gates A1-A4 as assigned

Terminal 2

Aeromexico | Gate TBD
Air Canada | Gate C12
AirFrance | Gate C24
American | Gates C11, C15-C18, C21-C23, C25
Bermudair | Gate TBD
Copa | Gate C21 or as assigned
Delta | Gate C1, C3, D1, D3, D5-6
Frontier | Gate D14
Icelandair | Gate C21 or C25 as assigned
Jet Blue | Gate C10
Lufthansa | Gate C21-23, C25
West Jet | Gate TBD
United | Gate D15, D17-20

Food and drink

La Farm Bakery + Café at RDU | Photo by @jnkpublicrelations

RDU is a hub of eateries with 15+ restaurants, bars, and coffee shops for fliers to dine before or between flights, like:

Beyu Caffé | Terminal 1 and 2 | Menu highlights: Coffee, smoothies, sandwiches, and grab-and-go snacks
Black & White Coffee Roasters | Terminal 2, Gate C1 | Menu highlights: Locally roasted coffee, pastries, and all-day breakfast
Char-Grill | Terminal 1, Gate A5 | Menu highlights: Burgers, shakes, fries, and breakfast sandwiches
La Farm Bakery Café | Terminal 2, Gate D1 | Menu highlights: Coffee, pastries, soups, salads, and sandwiches
Crawford’s Genuine | Terminal 2, Gate C1 | Menu highlights: High-end cuisine, seafood, and local chef-crafted bites
Guy's Pizza Joint | Terminal 2, Gate D9 | Menu highlights: Pizza, salads, and wraps

Fly comfortably

While we may not be able to offer solutions for crying babies or mysterious in-flight meals, we do have some tricks up our sleeves for upping your comfort while flying. Browse some of our favorite travel essentials:

The AirFly Pro | Make sure you can always access in-flight entertainment (while avoiding the wired headphones airlines pass out) by using an AirFly. It plugs into your seat’s headphone jack and connects to your earbuds or headphones via Bluetooth.
Trtl travel pillow | The Trtl pillow is scientifically designed to provide a better head position when sleeping upright, thanks to an internal support system comfortably cushioned in cozy fleece.
Bose Noise Canceling Headphones | These headphones are tried-and-true traveling companions, beloved for their crisp sound and ability to block exterior noise.
Cozy Earth joggers | These Oprah-approved joggers are polished enough to navigate the airport in, but comfy and stretchy enough for long flights.
Anti-nausea wristbands | Some simple anti-nausea wristbands might relieve a nervous stomach or sensitivity to turbulence while flying.