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 1 to Terminal 2?
Shuttle bus service is available for passengers going from one terminal to the other. Bus 4 (orange) provides service from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1. Bus 3 (purple) goes from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2.
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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? Baggage claim is the designated area to meet and greet in each terminal. If you prefer to wait in your vehicle, 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 30 minutes prior to the last scheduled departure of the day. For more information, please see Dining at RDU.
Where can I get a newspaper at RDU?
Newspapers are located at The Corner in Terminal 1 and OTC Drugs & More in Terminal 2 ticketing. Other newspapers are available at several post-security concessions on the concourse levels.
What food is available pre-security?
The Corner is located in Terminal 1 for gourmet coffees and teas, sandwiches, salads, fruit, yogurt, packaged snacks, books, magazines, newspapers and bottled beverages. Panopolis, offering a variety of baked goods, is located in Terminal 2 on the ticketing level prior to security checkpoint. 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 meditation room?
Each terminal has a meditation room open 24 hours a day. In Terminal 1 the facility is located in the center of the Terminal near the baggage claim area. In Terminal 2 the meditation room can be found behind the airline check-in islands. 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.
Are there animal relief areas located at the airport?
Designated Service Animal Relief Areas (SARAs) are located at terminals 1 and 2. RDU customers with pets are free to access these designated animal relief areas
- Terminal 1: Curbside, between Baggage Claim 3 and the taxi staging area.
- Terminal 2: Curbside, lower level-baggage claim, just north of the taxi staging area
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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.
What can I do if I inadvertently bring an unpermitted item to the checkpoint?
Airport Mailers operates kiosks at RDU’s security checkpoints whereby you can mail unpermitted items to any address for a fee.
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 TTY services located in the Terminals?
Terminal 1 Baggage Claim - Near information desk and at the northern end (by Southwest Airlines)
Terminal 1 Concourse - A9, A12, A19, A23
Terminal 1 Ticketing - Across from the Northwest ticket counters
Terminal 2 Concourse - C1, C24
Terminal 2 Ticketing - By entrance near escalator
Terminal 2 Baggage Claim - By Information desk and international baggage claim
Where can I exchange my foreign currency?
Travelex Worldwide Money offices are located Terminal 2 on the ticketing and baggage claim levels. Business centers also offer travel insurance and wire service. Call (919) 840-0366 for more information.
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 1 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 near U.S. Airlines in Terminal 1
On the concourse next to the ACC shop in Terminal 1
On the concourse near Gate C24 in Terminal 2
All Airline clubs have data ports
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