RDUKRDUNormal

Raleigh-Durham International Airport

Raleigh, United States · North America

Solid regional airport with quick security and decent lounges but limited food variety and no Priority Pass options.

Airportist Score

7.3/ 10

Editorial 0–10 from comfort, navigation, food, transport, and disruption resilience — not a Google rating.

Passengers

15.6M

Average security

18 min

Nearby airports

Passenger airports within about 150 km.

All airports

RDUKRDUNormal22°C / 72°F

Raleigh-Durham International Airport

Raleigh, United States · North America

Solid regional airport with quick security and decent lounges but limited food variety and no Priority Pass options.

Airportist Score

7.3/ 10

Editorial 0–10 from comfort, navigation, food, transport, and disruption resilience — not a Google rating.

Passengers

15.6M

Average security

18 min

RDUGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for RDU.

Updated Aug 31, 2026

Two terminals (T1 low-cost carriers, T2 legacy airlines)
Major carriers: Delta, American, United, Southwest
15.6 million passengers in 2025
No Priority Pass lounges; only airline clubs in T2
TSA PreCheck available; typical security 10-30 minutes
GoTriangle full fare $2.50 (Route 100 to downtown Raleigh)

6 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.2

Navigation7.8

Food6.5

Transport7.5

Disruption resilience7.5

Key Stats

Annual passengers

15.6M

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

18 min

Best For

Quick securityEasy terminal navigationAirline club access for elites

Watch Out For

No Priority Pass loungesLimited airside diningPeak-hour parking fills fast

10 photos

A long, bright concourse in RDU Terminal 2 with high ceilings, large windows, moving walkways, and gate seating areas along both sides.

The inside of Concourse C in Terminal 2, showing the gate corridor, signage, seating, and large windows overlooking the airfield.

A wide exterior view of RDU's terminal buildings and curb frontage, with roadways and parked vehicles in the foreground.

An aerial view of RDU showing Aviation Parkway and Airport Boulevard intersecting near the terminal area and surrounding airfield.

The landside interior of an RDU terminal with check-in counters, signage, travelers, and open public space under the ceiling structure.

Concourse D at RDU seen from the terminal, with three Delta Air Lines jets parked at gates along the ramp.

The multi-level parking garage at RDU with concrete structure, open levels, and vehicles parked near the terminal access roads.

A roadside welcome sign reading Raleigh-Durham International Airport at the Lumley Road entrance, with trees and pavement around it.

A southwest view along International Drive toward RDU's air traffic control tower, with the FedEx cargo terminal visible on the right.

The CNBC News Store retail shop inside RDU, with shelves of magazines, snacks, and travel goods under store signage.

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Arrive 90-120 min early

Security rarely exceeds 30 min outside peaks.

Monday mornings and Friday evenings see longest lines; use rdu.com wait times page.

Terminal

Check your terminal before arrival

T1 for Southwest/Spirit; T2 for Delta/AA/United.

Post-security connections between T1 and T2 require re-clearing security.

Food

Eat landside if possible

Better variety and prices before security in both terminals.

Airside options limited; T2 has more sit-down spots near gates C/D.

Status

Monitor ParkRDU.com for lots

Premier/Central often 80%+ full; book ahead online.

Economy lots cheaper but require shuttle; check real-time % full on homepage.

Nearby airports

Passenger airports within about 150 km.

RDUGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for RDU.

Updated Aug 31, 2026

Two terminals (T1 low-cost carriers, T2 legacy airlines)
Major carriers: Delta, American, United, Southwest
15.6 million passengers in 2025
No Priority Pass lounges; only airline clubs in T2
TSA PreCheck available; typical security 10-30 minutes
GoTriangle full fare $2.50 (Route 100 to downtown Raleigh)

6 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.2

Navigation7.8

Food6.5

Transport7.5

Disruption resilience7.5

Key Stats

Annual passengers

15.6M

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

18 min

Best For

Quick securityEasy terminal navigationAirline club access for elites

Watch Out For

No Priority Pass loungesLimited airside diningPeak-hour parking fills fast

RDUGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for RDU.

Updated Aug 31, 2026

Two terminals (T1 low-cost carriers, T2 legacy airlines)
Major carriers: Delta, American, United, Southwest
15.6 million passengers in 2025
No Priority Pass lounges; only airline clubs in T2
TSA PreCheck available; typical security 10-30 minutes
GoTriangle full fare $2.50 (Route 100 to downtown Raleigh)

6 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.2

Navigation7.8

Food6.5

Transport7.5

Disruption resilience7.5

Key Stats

Annual passengers

15.6M

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

18 min

Best For

Quick securityEasy terminal navigationAirline club access for elites

Watch Out For

No Priority Pass loungesLimited airside diningPeak-hour parking fills fast

RDUGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 05:31 EDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 6, 10:21 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for RDU.

Updated Aug 31, 2026

Two terminals (T1 low-cost carriers, T2 legacy airlines)
Major carriers: Delta, American, United, Southwest
15.6 million passengers in 2025
No Priority Pass lounges; only airline clubs in T2
TSA PreCheck available; typical security 10-30 minutes
GoTriangle full fare $2.50 (Route 100 to downtown Raleigh)

6 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.2

Navigation7.8

Food6.5

Transport7.5

Disruption resilience7.5

Key Stats

Annual passengers

15.6M

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

18 min

Best For

Quick securityEasy terminal navigationAirline club access for elites

Watch Out For

No Priority Pass loungesLimited airside diningPeak-hour parking fills fast

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Arrive 90-120 min early

Security rarely exceeds 30 min outside peaks.

Monday mornings and Friday evenings see longest lines; use rdu.com wait times page.

Terminal

Check your terminal before arrival

T1 for Southwest/Spirit; T2 for Delta/AA/United.

Post-security connections between T1 and T2 require re-clearing security.

Food

Eat landside if possible

Better variety and prices before security in both terminals.

Airside options limited; T2 has more sit-down spots near gates C/D.

Status

Monitor ParkRDU.com for lots

Premier/Central often 80%+ full; book ahead online.

Economy lots cheaper but require shuttle; check real-time % full on homepage.

RDUGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for RDU.

Updated Aug 31, 2026

Two terminals (T1 low-cost carriers, T2 legacy airlines)
Major carriers: Delta, American, United, Southwest
15.6 million passengers in 2025
No Priority Pass lounges; only airline clubs in T2
TSA PreCheck available; typical security 10-30 minutes
GoTriangle full fare $2.50 (Route 100 to downtown Raleigh)

6 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.2

Navigation7.8

Food6.5

Transport7.5

Disruption resilience7.5

Key Stats

Annual passengers

15.6M

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

18 min

Best For

Quick securityEasy terminal navigationAirline club access for elites

Watch Out For

No Priority Pass loungesLimited airside diningPeak-hour parking fills fast

RDUGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 05:31 EDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 6, 10:21 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for RDU.

Updated Aug 31, 2026

Two terminals (T1 low-cost carriers, T2 legacy airlines)
Major carriers: Delta, American, United, Southwest
15.6 million passengers in 2025
No Priority Pass lounges; only airline clubs in T2
TSA PreCheck available; typical security 10-30 minutes
GoTriangle full fare $2.50 (Route 100 to downtown Raleigh)

6 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.2

Navigation7.8

Food6.5

Transport7.5

Disruption resilience7.5

Key Stats

Annual passengers

15.6M

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

18 min

Best For

Quick securityEasy terminal navigationAirline club access for elites

Watch Out For

No Priority Pass loungesLimited airside diningPeak-hour parking fills fast

RDUGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 05:31 EDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 6, 10:21 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for RDU.

Updated Aug 31, 2026

Two terminals (T1 low-cost carriers, T2 legacy airlines)
Major carriers: Delta, American, United, Southwest
15.6 million passengers in 2025
No Priority Pass lounges; only airline clubs in T2
TSA PreCheck available; typical security 10-30 minutes
GoTriangle full fare $2.50 (Route 100 to downtown Raleigh)

6 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.2

Navigation7.8

Food6.5

Transport7.5

Disruption resilience7.5

Key Stats

Annual passengers

15.6M

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

18 min

Best For

Quick securityEasy terminal navigationAirline club access for elites

Watch Out For

No Priority Pass loungesLimited airside diningPeak-hour parking fills fast

RDUGuide

Live airport status

Current operations

Security wait times

A current security estimate is not available. Check the official airport site or MyTSA before travel.

MyTSA

Official airport site TSA screening guide

Operational status

Normal operations

No Flighty-reported operational issues for this airport.

Status update: 05:31 EDT

Source: Flighty Airports

Status response Sep 6, 10:21 UTC · Confirm live conditions with official sources before travel.

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for RDU.

Updated Aug 31, 2026

Two terminals (T1 low-cost carriers, T2 legacy airlines)
Major carriers: Delta, American, United, Southwest
15.6 million passengers in 2025
No Priority Pass lounges; only airline clubs in T2
TSA PreCheck available; typical security 10-30 minutes
GoTriangle full fare $2.50 (Route 100 to downtown Raleigh)

6 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort7.2

Navigation7.8

Food6.5

Transport7.5

Disruption resilience7.5

Key Stats

Annual passengers

15.6M

Terminals

2 active terminals

On-time departures

78%

Average security

18 min

Best For

Quick securityEasy terminal navigationAirline club access for elites

Watch Out For

No Priority Pass loungesLimited airside diningPeak-hour parking fills fast