Raleigh Airport Transportation
Private airport transportation from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary and Research Triangle Park, booked before you land.
- Private, never shared
- Priced per vehicle
- Flight monitored
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
Our services
From private sedans to group vans. One fixed price per vehicle, whatever your party size.
Private Sedan
1 to 4 passengersPrivate, non-stop transfer. All taxes included.
Luxury SUV
Up to 6 passengersComfortable VIP SUV with premium features.
Private Van
Up to 8 passengersIdeal for families and groups with luggage.
Group Van
Up to 16 passengersOur largest vehicle. Room for up to 16 passengers and their luggage.
Airport Transportation in Raleigh
Pre-booked private transportation takes you directly from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to your hotel, resort or vacation rental.
After immigration, baggage claim and customs, continue outside the terminal to the meeting area named in your confirmation. Your vehicle is reserved only for the passengers on your reservation: unlike a shared shuttle, it makes no extra hotel stops for other travelers, and the price is per vehicle, not per person.
Our Raleigh airport transportation takes you from RDU to hotels and homes in downtown Raleigh and around NC State, to Durham and Duke University, to Chapel Hill and UNC, to Cary, Apex and Morrisville, and to the office campuses of Research Triangle Park.
Raleigh Airport Transfers
Raleigh airport transfers start outside baggage claim at your terminal, at the prearranged pickup zone: Zone 1 at Terminal 1 or Zone 8 at Terminal 2. We track your flight, so the pickup follows your real landing time, and the price is fixed per vehicle before you fly, from a sedan for business trips to a van for families and groups with luggage.
Each Raleigh airport transfer goes door to door to your hotel, home, vacation rental, campus or office in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary or Research Triangle Park. Going farther, to Pinehurst, Greensboro or the coast? Enter your address in the booking form to see whether a transfer is offered.
Raleigh Airport Shuttle
Our Raleigh airport shuttle is a private van for your party only, not a shared ride that stops at other hotels around the Triangle. It leaves as soon as you are at the curb and suits families, sports teams, wedding groups and colleagues traveling together.
Landing at Raleigh Airport
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) sits in Wake County between Raleigh and Durham, beside Research Triangle Park, and is run by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. It has two terminals with separate baggage claims: Terminal 1, with gates A1 to A9, for Southwest, Alaska, Avelo, Breeze and Sun Country, and Terminal 2, with Concourses C and D, for the other airlines.
Most flights are domestic, so you walk straight to baggage claim. International flights that are not precleared arrive at Terminal 2, where you clear US passport control and customs before collecting your bags. Flights from Dublin, Toronto and Montréal usually clear US immigration before departure.
North Carolina is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, and UTC-4 from March to November), and the currency is the US dollar.
US entry
International visitors need an approved ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program or a US visa before they fly; arrivals that are not precleared go through US Customs and Border Protection in Terminal 2.
Two terminals
Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have separate baggage claims and pickup zones, so give your terminal when you book and check it again on your boarding pass for the ride back.
Campus and event days
Graduations and home games at Duke, UNC and NC State fill hotels and slow traffic around the campuses, so give the full address, including the building or hotel entrance.
Office campuses
Many Research Triangle Park employers have large campuses with several buildings and security gates, so give the building name or number with your address.
Before you fly to Raleigh
How Raleigh Airport pickup works
- 1
Clear arrivals
Immigration, baggage claim, then customs. Representatives can't enter those areas.
- 2
Meet your representative
At the meeting point in your confirmation. Check the company name before getting in.
- 3
Go straight there
No other stops, no other passengers.
Prearranged pickup zones
Prearranged rides pick up outside baggage claim at Zone 1 at Terminal 1 and Zone 8 at Terminal 2, as signposted on the curb.
Check your terminal
RDU has two terminals with separate baggage claims, so your driver needs to know whether you land at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.
Don't accept a ride from someone claiming to know your booking. Check the company name and reservation details before getting in.
Return trips and flight changes
Going back to the airport
Transportation can also be booked from your hotel, resort or vacation rental to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Your pickup time covers the drive plus check-in, security and border procedures, and your airline's instructions come first. Give the correct departure time and terminal when you book.
If your flight changes
We monitor the arrival of the flight on your reservation, but can't find you on a different one. If any of these change, update them in Manage your booking:
What's included
Included
- A private vehicle for your party
- Transportation between the confirmed locations
- Direct service, no shared hotel stops
- Airport meeting instructions
- Flight-arrival monitoring
- A professional driver
- An air-conditioned vehicle
- Room for your party and standard luggage
- Customer-service support
Confirmed separately
- Child seats
- Additional stops
- Extra waiting time
- Oversized luggage or equipment
- Special requests
Airport Transportation happy customers
Reviewed on TripAdvisor, Trustpilot, Yelp and TravelPulse“Absolutely fantastic service! My driver was early, courteous, and the car was immaculate.”
“The ride was comfortable and quick. Quality service that's well worth it.”
“I use airporttransportation.com whenever I travel. Consistently reliable, and their drivers are top-notch.”
“Booking was simple and the price was clear. No surprises at the airport. Highly recommended.”
Groups and events
Traveling with a large group, planning a destination wedding, or organizing transportation for a corporate retreat or conference? We offer larger vehicles and multi-vehicle coordination for groups of any size, including multiple pickup points and scheduled transfers timed around your event. Contact us with your group size and itinerary and we'll put together transportation that keeps everyone moving together.
- Destination weddings
- Conferences
- Corporate retreats
- Sports teams
- Multi-vehicle arrivals
Booking, changes and cancellations
Book your transfer online in a few minutes using the form above. If your plans change, contact us as soon as possible to modify your pickup details or cancel your reservation, response times and any applicable fees depend on how close to your pickup date the change is requested.
Read the reservation policies →Raleigh Airport Transportation FAQs
Where will my driver meet me at Raleigh airport (RDU)?
Outside baggage claim at the prearranged pickup zone: Zone 1 at Terminal 1 or Zone 8 at Terminal 2. Your confirmation gives the exact meeting instructions.
How far is RDU from downtown Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill?
RDU is about 15 miles (24 km) from downtown Raleigh, usually 20 to 30 minutes, about 13 miles (21 km) from downtown Durham, and about 20 miles (32 km) from Chapel Hill, around 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Can you take me to downtown Raleigh or NC State?
Yes. We drive to hotels, homes and offices in downtown Raleigh, North Hills, Glenwood South and around the NC State campus.
Can you take me to Durham or Duke University?
Yes. We drive door to door to downtown Durham, Duke University and Duke University Hospital, and to hotels and homes across the city.
Can you take me to Chapel Hill or UNC?
Yes. We drive to the UNC-Chapel Hill campus, UNC Hospitals and hotels and homes in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Give the building or hotel name with your address.
Can you take me to Cary, Apex or Research Triangle Park?
Yes. We drive to hotels, homes and office campuses in Cary, Apex, Morrisville and Research Triangle Park. For an office campus, give the building name or number.
Can you take me to Pinehurst, Greensboro or the beaches?
Pinehurst, Greensboro and the North Carolina coast are farther from RDU. Enter your address in the booking form to see whether a transfer is offered; if it is not, contact us before you fly.
Which terminal will I land at?
Southwest, Alaska, Avelo, Breeze and Sun Country use Terminal 1; Delta, American, United, Frontier, JetBlue and the international airlines use Terminal 2. Give your terminal when you book, because each has its own pickup zone.
Do you drive to vacation rentals and homes?
Yes. Give the full street address and any gate or community entrance details, so your driver goes straight to the door.
Can I book a pickup for a late-night or early-morning flight?
Yes. Book the pickup for your flight time, whatever the hour, and give your flight number so the driver follows the actual landing.
Should I accept rides from people offering transportation inside RDU?
There is no need. Booking ahead gives you a confirmed vehicle and meeting point; check the company name against your confirmation before getting in.
What happens if my flight is delayed or canceled?
We monitor the flight on your reservation, so your driver waits for the actual landing. If your flight is canceled or your flight number or date changes, update it in Manage your booking so the pickup can be moved.
Can I book a ride back to RDU?
Yes. Book a one-way departure or a round trip, and give your flight time and terminal, so the pickup leaves time for check-in and security.
Is Airport Transportation the same as Raleigh-Durham International Airport?
No. Airport Transportation is a private transfer booking site for rides from RDU; we are not the airport or its operator. For terminals, airlines and other ways to get around, see our Raleigh-Durham airport page.
Why book with Airport Transportation?
We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.
Is the transportation private or shared?
Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.
Are prices per person or per vehicle?
Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.
How many people can a van carry?
It depends on the vehicle. Each vehicle shows its maximum number of passengers and suitcases before you book, so you can choose one that fits your group.
How do I find you at the airport?
Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.
What kind of vehicles do you use?
Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.
Do you have insurance?
Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.
Do you provide baby seats?
Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.
How far in advance should I book?
You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.
What payment methods are accepted?
You pay securely online when you book, by credit or debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Payments are processed by Stripe.
Do vehicles have air conditioning?
Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.
What if my flight is delayed?
During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.
Can I make stops during my ride?
Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.
Do children pay differently than adults?
No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.
Is my reservation refundable?
Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.
Do drivers speak English?
Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.
Are tips mandatory?
Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.
What currencies are accepted?
All prices are in USD. If your card is in another currency, your bank converts the charge at its own exchange rate.
Are pets allowed?
We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.
Is there room for luggage?
Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.
What is included in the price?
Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.
Book your Raleigh Airport Transportation
Choose the vehicle for your party and luggage, add your flight, and review the full reservation before you pay.