Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) Parking

If you pick up a passenger at the Airport, use Lot 1 at RDU Center (free cell phone lot), a short drive from terminals and located in the Rental Car area across from Thrifty.  On entering the Airport from I-40/ I-540, follow signs to Rental Car Return or RDU Airport Authority. The free lot has 50 spaces. Stay with your car until your party has collected bags and calls you for pickup at the terminal curb.

Parking options at Raleigh-Durham International include:
1.The hourly/daily parking garage (open-air) is situated between Terminals 1 & 2 - ideal for parking under 8 hours.
2. Lots 3 (on National Guard Drive)  & Lot 4 (on International Drive) are Park & Ride lots for economy parking  - accessible Shuttle buses run to/from Park & Ride Lots 3 & 4 (and during holidays Lots 2 & 5) to/from Terminals every 20 mins 4am-1am or last flight. Take Orange Bus 4 from T1 or Purple Bus 3 from T2.
3. Lots 2 & 5 are overflow lots, and with free shuttle service to the terminals.

ADA-accessible parking spaces are located in the parking garage, near elevators & Terminal entries; and in the Park & Ride lots, served by lift-equipped shuttles.

Payment Option: The ExitExpress automated payment program is for drivers who park in the garage between the terminals. To use ExitExpress, remember to keep your ticket with you and pay for parking at one of the ExitExpress pay stations before returning to your car. Pay stations are along pedestrian walkways between the garage and terminals.

For more parking information call (919) 840-2140

As an alternative to on-site parking, there are off-airport parking at Raleigh-Durham airport options which may offer significant discounts. Most have shuttle vans or buses which operate from their facilities to the terminals, and feature secure facilities with security guards and cameras 24 hours.

Many local hotels offer up to 2 weeks free parking with one night stay. This can be especially convenient if you have an early flight and need to park at Raleigh-Durham airport. They provide shuttle service too. Check Stay and Park options for RDU Airport.

Nothing is more frustrating than circling an airport parking lot looking for space when you're already running late for a flight or paying an exorbitant amount for parking when you return from a trip. You can avoid these common predicaments by doing your homework before leaving to park your vehicle at the airport.

Most airports offer multiple parking lots at various rates (hourly, daily and economy). Some airports even offer costly, but convenient valet parking. Visit the airport website or call the airport to determine the location and rates for each type of parking garage or service. During peak travel times, it's also prudent to check the short-term and long-term parking lot availability before leaving for the airport, so you can make other arrangements if lots are full. Parking in a daily garage (short-term parking) instead of an economy (long-term parking) lot for multiple days will burn a big hole in your wallet.

You’ll find commercial off-site parking lots near most major airports. These parking lots are farther from the airport, but the distance is often compensated with lower prices, 24-hour security, car-to-terminal shuttle services and other perks like frequent parker programs. Aside from off-site commercial parking lots allow you to reserve a parking spot in advance, which can be a real timesaver during peak travel times. In addition, many airport hotels offer stay, park and fly deals in which you stay at the hotel the night before your flight and then you can park your car at the hotel for free or a low daily rate. Just make sure the hotel parking lot is secure as some aren’t monitored around-the-clock like airport and commercial lots.

It’s too easy to forget where you parked or where you put the parking ticket after an extended trip. Even if you’re running late, take the time to note where you parked in your cell phone, PDA or on the parking ticket if you take it with you. Just make sure you don’t lose the parking ticket, because most airports charge a hefty fee for missing tickets. For that reason, it may be safer to leave the ticket in your car.