Airport Services
How can I get wheelchair assistance once I arrive at RDU?
When you make your travel arrangements, indicate that you need assistance at the airport. Once you arrive, let the skycap or ticket agent know you need a wheelchair and they will provide this service. For more information, please see Traveling with Disabilities.
Where is the handicap parking located in the RDU parking lots?
Universally accessible parking spaces are available in the RDU parking garage and Park & Ride lots. These spaces are located near elevators and terminal entryways. All shuttles from the park & ride lots are lift-equipped.
How do I get from Terminal A to Terminal C?
Shuttle bus service is available for passengers going from one terminal to the other. Bus 4 (orange) provides service from Terminal C to Terminal A. Bus 3 (purple) goes from Terminal A to Terminal C.
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Baggage/luggage/cargo
Is curbside check-in available?
Yes, provided you have a ticket/e-ticket, a driver’s license, not more than 3 pieces of luggage that meet the requirements for check in and are traveling on a domestic flight. For more information, please see Travel Tips in the on-line travel guide.
Where do I find my lost bags? What if my bags were damaged?
Contact your airline for questions about lost or damaged luggage.
How many bags are allowed to be carry-on and checked?
Passengers are allowed one carry-on and one personal item in the airplane cabin. Checked baggage may vary by airline. Please contact your airline for this information.
What are the size and weight limitations for carry on baggage and checked luggage?
Size and weight limitations vary by airline, please contact your airline to confirm this information.
Where is the Fed Ex or other overnight package delivery drop off box?
The Fed Ex dropoff box is located at the Fed Ex cargo facility. No services are available in the terminal. Call 1-800-238-5355 for details.
Where do I pick up a cargo package?
The cargo facilities are located at the South Cargo buildings. As you enter the airport, you will see a South Cargo sign, take this exit and follow the signs. For more information, please see Cargo.
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Picking Up Arriving Passengers
Picking up an arriving passenger? Use the parking lot at RDU Center. Just a short drive from the terminals, the lot is located in the Rental Car area across from Alamo. There are more than 50 spaces available. |
Drivers can wait in the lot until arriving passengers have made their way to the terminal curb and are ready to be picked up. There is no charge to wait in this lot. Vehicles must be attended at all times. For your convenience, trash receptacles are available for your use.
There is no parking or waiting on the airport roadway shoulders. |
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Printer-friendly map of the RDU Center parking lot is available in PDF format for your convenience.
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Food
What time do the restaurants open at RDU?
Locations offering breakfast open between 4:30-6:00 a.m. while others open at 9:00-10:30 a.m. Most restaurants close between 6:30-9:00 p.m., but AJ's Tavern, Carolina Varsity Bar & Grill and Triangle Cyber Café are open until the last flight. For more information, please see Dining at RDU.
Where can I get a newspaper at RDU?
Newspapers are located at the snack cart in Terminal A baggage claim, while other newspapers are available at the post-security concessions on the ticketing level.
What food is available pre-security?
The Corner and JQ Snacks are located in Terminal A for gourmet coffees and teas, sandwiches, salads, fruit, yogurt, packaged snacks, books, magazines, newspapers and bottled beverages. The Great American Bagel, offering a wide selection of coffee, sandwiches and a variety of baked goods, is located in Terminal C on the ticketing level. For more information, please see our Shops and Restaurants Directory.
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Ground Transportation
What time do the Ground Transportation buses operate from the parking lots?
The RDU ground transportation shuttle buses transport passengers every 20 minutes to and from Lot 3 and Lot 4. Service is provided from 4:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. or last flight. All shuttles serving the Park & Ride lots are lift-equipped. Please see Ground Transportation: Shuttle Buses.
Who provides ground transportation to and from the airport?
Transportation is provided by RDU Airport Taxi Service, the Triangle Transit Authority and local limousine and shuttle companies. For more information, please see Ground Transportation: Shuttle Buses, Transportation Services, Taxi Service and Rental Cars.
How do I get a taxi at RDU and what times are they available?
Taxi service is available at both terminals and operates until the last flight arrives at RDU. For more information, please see Ground Transportation: Taxi Service.
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Hotels
What hotels are located near the airport?
Hotels and their locations are listed in the Area Information section of our web site. A list of hotels located near RDU can be found in the Traveler Information section. For more information, please see Traveler Information in the on-line travel guide.
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Hours of Operation
What time does the airport open?
The airport is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What time do the ticket counters open?
Ticket counters open at approximately 4:30 a.m. To find out operating hours for individual airlines, contact your airline.
What time do the security checkpoints open?
The security checkpoints open at 4:00 a.m. in both terminals. For more information about navigating security checkpoints, please see Travel Tips: Navigating Security Checkpoints in the on-line travel guide.
How much time should I allow myself to make my flight?
The airlines suggest arriving 60 to 90 minutes prior to your departure for domestic flights and 2 hours for international flights. Additional time should be added if you have to park in one of the remote lots or are traveling during holidays and peak hours.
When do the shops at RDU open?
Most shops are open from 6:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. with the news and book stores opening at 5:30 a.m. For more information, please see Shopping at RDU.
What are the hours of the Chapel?
The Chapel is open 24 hours a day. For more information, please see While At the Airport: Interfaith Chapel in the on-line travel guide.
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Lost and Found Items
RDU customers can now report lost items online using this easy form. Travelers can immediately report items lost in the terminals, parking areas or airport property any time. Items lost at RDU should be taken to and retrieved from the RDU Law Enforcement (LE) Department. Please call (919) 840-7550 to make arrangements. Law Enforcement offices are located in the Airport Operations Center (AOC) (see map below). The offices are open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
RDU offers an additional option for customers. The UPS office at RDU can ship lost property to the customer at their expense. Arrangements can be made with Law Enforcement. The contact number for UPS (919) 840-0421.\Property may be turned over to Law Enforcement at any time by calling (919) 840-7550.
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Parking
Where is the cheapest lot for me to park?
Park and Ride Lots 3 and 4 are $1.00 per hour or a maximum charge of $6.00 per 24 hours. For more information, please see Parking.
Can I park my motor home at the airport parking lot while we travel?
Yes, if space is available in one of the lots. For more information, please see Parking. For more frequently asked questions regarding parking, see our Parking FAQs page.
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Pets
Do pets have to be quarantined after arriving at RDU?
Not on domestic flights but there are rules for international travel. For more information, please see Traveler Information - Traveling with Pets in the on-line travel guide.
Does my pet have to be in a kennel if I bring it to the airport?
Yes, only assistance dogs are allowed in the terminals outside of their kennels. For more information, please see Traveler Information - Traveling with Pets in the on-line travel guide.
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Security
What items can I take on board the aircraft?
As of September 2006, liquids and gels permitted through security checkpoint are limited. Travel size toiletries (3 ounces or less) are permitted and must be placed in ONE quart-size, clear plastic zip-lock bag. Remove all other liquids and gel items from carry on luggage. The Transportation Security Administration features a complete list of prohibited and permitted items on its web site at www.tsa.gov. For more information, please see Travel Tips: Navigating Security Checkpoints in the on-line travel guide.
Can I take my film or x-rays through the security checkpoint and can I have them hand searched?
Film with a speed of 1000 or higher or x-rays should not be put through the x-ray. You may request a hand search from the security agent at the checkpoint. For more information, please see Travel Tips: Navigating Security Checkpoints in the on-line travel guide.
How do I escort my 8 year old or my sick grandmother to the gate?
Most airlines provide passes to friends or family who have a medical, parental or other specific verifiable need to accompany a ticketed passenger to the gate.
Who do I contact regarding airport security and screening complaints?
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Email: TellTSA@dhs.gov
Hotline: 1-866-289-9673 (staffed M-F 8-5, Sat. & Sun. 10am-6pm EST)
Fax: 202-493-1225
Letters to:
TSA Consumer Response Center
Room 3013 GSA Building
400 Seventh St. S.W.
Washington, DC 20590
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Smoking
Where can I smoke at the airport?
RDU is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is prohibited in all public areas, which includes all restaurants and bars.
Smoking is prohibited within 20 feet of airport terminal doorways and within 50 feet of all other Authority-owned buildings. The ban also applies to airport parking structures, observation areas and bus shelters. Designated, outdoor smoking areas are clearly marked.
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Terminal Information
Where are the TDD machines located in the Terminals?
TDD Machines are located in:
Terminal C Concourse - C15
Terminal C - Information desk near the payphones
Terminal A - Information desk by the baggage claim at the northern end of Terminal A (by Southwest Airlines)
Terminal A Concourse - A12
Terminal A Ticketing - across from the Delta counter
Where can I exchange my foreign currency?
Currency exchange offices are located in the RDU Business Centers located in Terminal A on the ticketing level near the information desk and in Terminal C on the concourse level near gate C15. Business centers also offer travel insurance and wire service.
For more information, please see Visitor Services - Web Currency Converter in the on-line travel guide.
Where is a US mailbox at RDU?
There is a US postal box outside of Terminal A on the curbside area near US Airways check-in.
Where are the data ports in the terminal so I can retrieve my mail with my laptop?
Ticketing level/Across from Delta Airlines
Concourse/next to ACC shop
All Airline clubs have data ports
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