Car Rental at Raleigh Durham Airport
Cheapest Car Rental Rates
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
Travel Information
Airport Car Rental
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is the second-largest airport in North Carolina. It serves the cities that make up the Triangle area: Raliegh (the capital of North Carolina), Durham, and Chapel Hill. The area is also often referred to as the Research Triangle due to its three major universities: North Carolina State University in Raleigh, Duke University in Durham, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Each of these has programs ranked amongst the top in the country.
Raleigh is the main tourist draw of the area. With a plethora of events, multiple museums, an NHL team (the Carolina Hurricanes), parks, and plenty of nightlife, there is a lot to draw in visitors. The surrounding cities and countryside are also great destinations for any traveler. As in much of the United States, a car is all but essential both for getting in and around the cities, but also for venturing into the countryside.
Top international routes
- London–Heathrow
- Paris–Charles de Gaulle
- Cancun
- San Juan
- Reykjavik
Main airlines
American Airlines is the second-busiest airline at the airport. Its routes include Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and Phoenix in addition to a daily direct flight to London–Heathrow.
The low-cost airline Southwest, with its own terminal, also carries many passengers at RDU. It connects the Triangle area with many cities on the East Coast and in the Midwest.
Icelandair flew to RDU for the first time in May of 2022. The airline now provides flights to and from Reykavik (from where you can connect to other cities in Europe) from May to Octobetr.
Terminals
Terminal 1 is used exclusively by Southwest Airlines. All other airlines can be found in Terminal 2. Alaska, Allegiant, Air Canada, Delta, Frontier, and United are in Concourse D and American Airlines and some Delta flights arrive and depart from Concourse C.
Location
Due to the airport’s size and the availability of flights of low-cost airlines, it serves a wider area than just the Triangle. The airport is just an hour’s drive from Greensboro and Rocky Mount. Even the coast of North Carolina is within a reasonable drive. Willmington, the largest city on the coast is just two hours away via I-40.
Most popular types of rental car
- Convertibles - from $261 per day
- Large cars - from $60 per day
- Medium cars - from $70 per day
- Premium cars - from $91 per day
- Small cars - from $72 per day
- SUVs - from $72 per day
Car rental desks
If arriving in Terminal 1, you must find Zone 5 outside of the baggage claim area. If arriving in Terminal2, you should find Zone 18.
When returning your car, you will have to drop the car off at the rental location where you picked it up and take the company’s shuttle back to whichever terminal you will be flying from.
Services and facilities
Ther airport has many different services for passengers. These include free wifi throughout the terminals, power outlets near the gates, multiple ATMs, s currency exchange, though you are, as always, better off taking out money out of an ATM or bringing it from your home country.
There are multiple lounges, all in Terminal 2. There is an American Airlines Admirals Club, a Delta Air Lines Sky Club, and a United Club.
Finally, you won’t go hungry or thirsty at RDU. There are various dining options in both the before security and in the concourses. The options range from fast food to table-service restaurants. Coffee shops and bars are can also be found to quench your thirst.
Nearest gas station
Airport info
Raleigh Durham Airport
- IATA: RDU
- ICAO: KRDU
- Name: Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU)
- Distance from city: 9 miles / 14.5 km
Top 6 Locations near Raleigh Durham Airport
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98.4 km / 61.1 miles
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106.3 km / 66.1 miles
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181.5 km / 112.8 miles
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195.6 km / 121.5 miles
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208.5 km / 129.6 miles
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342 km / 212.5 miles
Map of Car Rental Locations
When are car rental prices the lowest at Raleigh Durham Airport?
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
For how long do renters keep their vehicles at Raleigh Durham Airport?
What is the most popular time of year to rent a car at Raleigh Durham Airport?
Car Rental Information
Popular suppliers | Dollar, Thrifty, Alamo |
Popular car categories | SUVs, Large cars, Medium cars, Small cars |
Lowest price | $60 per day |
Cheapest supplier | Thrifty |
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dollar | Hyundai Accent | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
Dollar | Honda CR-V | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
Dollar | Chevrolet Spark | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
Dollar | Chevrolet Bolt | 5 | 1 | SUVs |
Thrifty | Ford Focus | 2 | 2 | Medium cars |
Dollar | Honda Civic | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
Dollar | Chevrolet Malibu | 4 | 2 | Large cars |
Thrifty | Nissan Rogue | 5 | 3 | SUVs |
Thrifty | Mazda 3 | 2 | 2 | Large cars |
Dollar | Nissan Pathfinder | 4 | 2 | Large cars |