Navigate RDU Like a Pro This Holiday Season

Tens of thousands of travelers will pass through RDU this holiday season. Whether it's your first time flying through RDU or just one of many visits, these tips will help you navigate the airport like a pro.  

[caption id="attachment_952" align="alignright" width="300"] Make sure you know your flight status to avoid unexpected surprises at the airport.[/caption]

Know Your Flight Status

Most flights will be full or nearly full this holiday season. Keep a close eye on your flight's status to ensure that you don't face any unexpected surprises at the ticket counter. Most airlines offer e-mail or smartphone app flight alerts to keep you informed of flight changes. You can also monitor your flight's status from rdu.com. Remember that flights are routinely affected by weather throughout the nation, including the city your plane is coming from.

[caption id="attachment_953" align="alignright" width="199"] Be prepared for airport security screening.[/caption]

Prep for Security Screening

Even infrequent flyers know the drill going through the security checkpoint. Coats off. Belts off. Shoes off. Liquids in a clear plastic bag. But, are you up to speed on traveling with medications? What about bringing home some of grandma’s famous fruitcake? Take a minute to view our security screening tips page to get the answers to common security checkpoint conundrums.

Arrive Ahead Of Time

You may have heard the tip to arrive two hours before your flight. But do you know why? Most flights begin boarding 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. (Larger planes may begin even earlier.) And, while RDU is built to move large numbers of people quickly through our facilities, you need to allow time for locating a parking space, security screening, gate changes and the unexpected. 

Use Park & Ride 4

[caption id="attachment_954" align="alignright" width="300"] Want to speed through parking like a pro? Skip the pay-on-foot machines near the terminals and head directly for the parking exit plaza.[/caption]

If you're looking for easy, low-cost parking, head to Park & Ride 4. It's located near the interchange of I-540 and U.S. 70. Did we mention it's just $6 per day?

The lot features credit card in and out, which means no keeping up with a ticket. And, shuttles run every 20 minutes or less to the terminals. Park & Ride 3 is another great option, just know that it often fills up Thanksgiving week.

Pay Credit at the Exit

Our 11,000 space garage is great for long-term parking or meeting Aunt Betty inside the terminal. But when it's time to pay for parking, skip the pay-on-foot machines outside the terminals and drive straight to the exit plaza. Choose one of the credit lanes and pay from the comfort of your car.

[caption id="attachment_955" align="alignright" width="199"] Did you know? Almost every menu item can be packaged to go with you on the plane.[/caption]

Make The Shops of RDU Your Own

We have more than 40 great shops and restaurants in our terminals, but here are a few things you may not know.

You can customize just about any menu item at any of our restaurants, and our restaurants will prepare any menu item to go upon request. Yes. You can take your shrimp & grits with you on the plane.

Want to get some holiday shopping done? Just ask our shop associates, and they’ll package your item for flight or facilitate shipping it for you.

Meet Your Loved Ones in Style

[caption id="attachment_956" align="alignright" width="300"] The Meeting Place can be found in both terminals.[/caption]

Picking up loved ones and meeting them in the terminal? Park in our Hourly Lots for just $1 per hour. Passengers (except London and Cancun) arrive at The Meeting Place in each terminal.

Grab a treat from Starbucks and give them a welcome they’re sure to remember.  If you are going to pick them up at the curb, use our Cell Phone lot to wait until after they’ve collected their luggage. Remember, security regulations prohibit waiting on the curb for any amount of time.

Want to learn more tips to navigate RDU like a pro? Visit our Holiday Travel Guide.