Raleigh-Durham International Airport Guide
Raleigh-Durham International Airport sits on 5,000 acres in Wake County, between Raleigh and Durham in North Carolina's Research Triangle. The airport opened on May 1, 1943, and is operated by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. It handled 15.5 million passengers in 2024, a record at the time, and 15.6 million in 2025, a new record.
RDU has two terminals. Terminal 1 has nine gates and serves Alaska, Avelo, Breeze, Southwest and Sun Country. Terminal 2 has 36 gates on Concourses C and D and handles all international flights along with American, Delta, United, JetBlue and Frontier. Delta Air Lines holds the largest market share.
The airport offers more than 90 nonstop destinations on 19 airlines. International service includes Europe with Aer Lingus, Air France, Icelandair and Lufthansa, plus Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
Three runways are active. A new 10,639-foot runway, 5L-23R, is under construction as part of the Transform RDU program and is expected to open in 2029. The airport lies about 24 km by road northwest of downtown Raleigh and about 21 km by road southeast of downtown Durham.
Services
5 of 6 availableCompare 20 listed options at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, spanning parking, car rentals, lounges, hotels and shuttles. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Location
Key facts
- Size
- 16M passengers (2024)3 runwaysopened 1943
- Location
- 35.879, -78.787
- Operator
- Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
Terminals
2 terminalsRaleigh-Durham International Airport has 2 passenger terminals — Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, handling both international and domestic flights for around 18 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.
- Terminal 1Domestic
Alaska Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines
- Terminal 2Mixed
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Aer Lingus, Icelandair, Copa Airlines, Aeroméxico
Concourses Concourse C · Concourse D
Nearby cities
4 citiesRaleigh-Durham International Airport is closest to Cary (16 km south), and also serves Durham, Raleigh and other nearby areas. With 4 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.
- Raleigh23 km southeast
- Durham21 km northwest
- Cary16 km south
- Chapel Hill30 km west
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the airport codes for Raleigh-Durham International Airport?
Where is Raleigh-Durham International Airport located?
Where is Raleigh-Durham International Airport located?
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What services are available at Raleigh-Durham International Airport?
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