---
iata: RDU
name: Raleigh-Durham International Airport
city: Raleigh
country: United States
lastUpdated: '2026-08-31'
officialWebsite: 'https://www.rdu.com/'
sources:
  - 'https://www.rdu.com/'
  - 'https://www.rdu.com/parking/'
  - 'https://www.rdu.com/parking/economy/'
  - 'https://gotriangle.org/fares-and-passes/'
  - 'https://gotriangle.org/your-ride-airport'
quickFacts:
  - '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)
bentoTips:
  - label: Timing
    title: Arrive 90-120 min early
    detail: >-
      Monday mornings and Friday evenings see longest lines; use rdu.com wait
      times page.
    summary: Security rarely exceeds 30 min outside peaks.
    category: timing
  - label: Terminal
    title: Check your terminal before arrival
    detail: Post-security connections between T1 and T2 require re-clearing security.
    summary: T1 for Southwest/Spirit; T2 for Delta/AA/United.
    category: terminal
  - label: Food
    title: Eat landside if possible
    detail: Airside options limited; T2 has more sit-down spots near gates C/D.
    summary: Better variety and prices before security in both terminals.
    category: food
  - label: Status
    title: Monitor ParkRDU.com for lots
    detail: >-
      Economy lots cheaper but require shuttle; check real-time % full on
      homepage.
    summary: Premier/Central often 80%+ full; book ahead online.
    category: status
lounges:
  - name: American Airlines Admirals Club
    hours: '4:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily'
    access:
      - AA elite
      - 'Day pass $79 or 7,900 miles'
    bestFor:
      - Work
      - Showers
    summary: >-
      Expanded menu and helpful staff; showers are a standout for a non-hub
      Admirals Club.
    verdict: worth-it
    terminal: Terminal 2
    amenities:
      - Showers
      - Work areas
      - Food
  - name: Delta Sky Club
    hours: '4:30 a.m. – 7:45 p.m. (Sun-Fri), 4:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Sat)'
    access:
      - Delta elite
      - Day pass via Amex/Delta
    bestFor:
      - Relaxation
    summary: >-
      Clean and reliable for Delta flyers; food is basic compared with larger
      Sky Clubs.
    verdict: depends
    terminal: Terminal 2
    amenities:
      - Bar
      - Seating
      - Charging
  - name: United Club
    hours: '5 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. daily'
    access:
      - United elite
      - Day pass $59
    bestFor:
      - Work
      - Long layovers
    summary: Spacious for RDU with a calm layout and solid work seating.
    verdict: worth-it
    terminal: Terminal 2
    amenities:
      - Quiet zones
      - Bar
      - Wi-Fi
waterOptions:
  - kind: purchase
    name: Hudson News
    zone: landside
    price: $2.50 for 500ml
    summary: Cheapest reliable bottle purchase before security.
    location: 'Landside near check-in, opposite Starbucks'
    terminal: Terminal 2
    isBestValue: true
  - kind: refill
    name: Water fountain
    zone: airside
    price: Free
    summary: Convenient refill after security; multiple fountains in T2.
    location: 'Airside near Gate C3, opposite Admirals Club'
    terminal: Terminal 2
  - kind: free
    name: USO Lounge water
    zone: landside
    price: Free
    summary: Free for military; civilians can ask politely for water in some cases.
    location: Ticketing level near Starbucks
    terminal: Terminal 2
    isBestQuality: true
airportistScore: 7.3
slug: rdu
region: North America
---
> Markdown for [/airports/rdu](/airports/rdu). Append `.md` to any page URL (or send `Accept: text/markdown`) for an agent-readable copy.

- [HTML page](/airports/rdu)
- [Lounge directory](/airports/rdu/lounges.md)
- [Sitemap](/sitemap.md)

# Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
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**
- Comfort: 7.2
- Navigation: 7.8
- Food: 6.5
- Transport: 7.5
- Disruption resilience: 7.5

## At a glance

- Passengers: 15.6M
- Terminals: 2 active terminals
- Typical security: 18 min
- On-time: 78%
- Disruption: normal

## Best for

- Quick security
- Easy terminal navigation
- Airline club access for elites

## Watch out for

- No Priority Pass lounges
- Limited airside dining
- Peak-hour parking fills fast

## More intel

- [Lounge directory](/airports/rdu/lounges.md) (free)
- [Getting there](/airports/rdu/getting-there.md) (free)
- [Amenities](/airports/rdu/amenities.md)
- [Traveler tips](/airports/rdu/tips.md)
- [Water](/airports/rdu/water.md)
- [Full guide](/airports/rdu/guide.md)
- [Disruptions](/airports/rdu/disruptions.md)
- [Reviews](/airports/rdu/reviews.md)