Getting Around
How to get to and from Raleigh-Durham International Airport — taxis, public transport, shuttles and car rental.
Transport Options at RDU
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is connected to Raleigh/Durham and the wider United States transport network by multiple ground transport options.
GoTriangle operates limited RDU shuttle/bus connections to the broader Triangle area, but there's no dedicated rapid rail or express bus into downtown Raleigh or Durham — most travelers use a taxi, rideshare, or rental car.
Taxi stand outside baggage claim; fare to downtown Raleigh or Durham is roughly $35–45 and takes 20–30 minutes depending on destination and traffic.
Uber and Lyft both operate with dedicated pickup zones, generally the most convenient option given the lack of rail transit.
Large rental car facility connected to the terminals by a short walk — a practical and common choice given how spread out the Research Triangle region is.
There's no rail link here, and RDU sits roughly equidistant between Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill — figure out which of the three you're actually headed to before booking transport, since it changes both the route and the fare noticeably.
Pre-Book Your Transfer
Skip the taxi queue. Book a private transfer from RDU to Raleigh/Durham in advance and have a driver waiting when you land.
Recommended · Airport TransferPrivate and shared airport transfers — fixed price, no meter surprises. Driver meets you in arrivals.
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Car Rental at RDU
Exploring United States beyond Raleigh/Durham? Renting a car at the airport gives you maximum flexibility from the moment you land.
Recommended · Car RentalCompare rates from major and local car rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
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