RDU Airport sits between Raleigh and Durham in the middle of North Carolina's Research Triangle. Transport costs depend on your destination and how you get there. The region does not have an airport rail link, so everything involves road transport.
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): USD 12-45
Rideshare is the cheapest car option for most destinations. Typical fares from RDU:
| Destination | UberX / Lyft | UberXL / Lyft XL | |------------|-------------|------------------| | Research Triangle Park | USD 12-20 | USD 18-28 | | Downtown Durham | USD 18-28 | USD 25-38 | | Downtown Raleigh | USD 20-30 | USD 28-42 | | North Hills (Raleigh) | USD 18-25 | USD 25-35 | | Cary | USD 22-32 | USD 30-42 | | Chapel Hill | USD 30-45 | USD 42-60 |
Prices fluctuate with demand. Standard fares apply most of the time, but surge pricing during peak hours (evening arrivals, Friday afternoons) can increase costs by 20-40%.
Taxi: USD 20-55
Metered taxis from the curb outside baggage claim. No flat rates — the meter runs based on distance and time.
| Destination | Approximate fare | |------------|------------------| | Research Triangle Park | USD 20-28 | | Downtown Durham | USD 28-38 | | Downtown Raleigh | USD 30-40 | | Cary | USD 32-42 | | Chapel Hill | USD 45-55 |
Add 15-20% for tip. Taxis accept credit cards.
Pre-booked transfer: USD 40-75
A sedan transfer with meet-and-greet service. Prices are fixed at booking and include a set waiting period.
- Research Triangle Park: USD 40-55
- Downtown Raleigh or Durham: USD 45-65
- Chapel Hill: USD 55-75
- Cary: USD 50-65
GoTriangle bus: USD 2.50
Route 100 connects RDU to the Regional Transit Center. From there, connecting buses reach Raleigh and Durham, with additional fares of USD 1.25-2.50 per leg. The total cost is under USD 5 but the journey time is 60-90 minutes including waits. Buses run every 30-60 minutes during the day only.
What affects the price
Destination is the primary factor. RDU is centrally located in the Triangle, so distances to the three main cities are moderate. Chapel Hill is the farthest and most expensive.
Traffic impacts both metered taxis and rideshare trip times. I-40 between RDU and Raleigh gets congested during rush hours. This increases metered taxi fares and can trigger rideshare surge pricing.
Time of day matters for rideshare pricing. Late-night and early-morning rides are usually at base rates. Evening peak hours (5-7 PM) see the most surge pricing.
Vehicle type affects rideshare cost. UberXL and Lyft XL for larger vehicles cost 30-40% more than standard.
Cost per person comparison (to downtown Raleigh)
| Option | Total cost | Per person (2 pax) | Per person (4 pax) | |--------|-----------|-------------------|-------------------| | GoTriangle bus | USD 2.50 | USD 2.50 | USD 2.50 | | Rideshare | USD 25 | USD 12.50 | USD 6.25* | | Taxi | USD 35 + tip | USD 20 | USD 10 | | Transfer | USD 55 | USD 27.50 | USD 13.75 |
*Requires UberXL for 4 passengers with luggage, which costs more.
The honest recommendation
For solo travellers and couples, Uber or Lyft is the clear winner on price and convenience. A taxi is worth considering if you want to leave instantly without waiting for a car. For business travellers or groups who want a professional, confirmed service, a pre-booked transfer is the way to go. The GoTriangle bus only makes sense if you are on a very tight budget and have minimal luggage.