Airport Hotels
Whether you need a same-night room after a late arrival or want to minimize your door-to-gate time on an early morning flight, RDU has options: no hotel is physically attached to the terminal, but 2 nearby properties run free 24-hour airport shuttles so you are at the curb in minutes. Rates shown are typical starting points — prices change by date and demand.
No hotels are connected directly to RDU's terminals. The closest options are a short drive away and all run free 24-hour shuttles — see the table below.
The following properties are within 1.2 miles of RDU and operate complimentary airport shuttles. Call from baggage claim and the van is typically there within 10–15 minutes.
| Hotel | Rate | Distance | Shuttle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh Airport Marriott | from $159/night | 1.0 mi | ✓ |
| Hilton Garden Inn RDU Airport | from $139/night | 1.2 mi | ✓ |
Rates are typical starting points and change by date. A ✓ means a complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle — call the hotel from baggage claim before you head outside.
Rideshare: $8–$14 Uber/Lyft to airport-adjacent hotels. Uber and Lyft pick up at the designated rideshare zone on the arrivals/lower level — follow the in-app pin rather than the street signs, as pickup spots at RDU are managed through the apps.
Hotel shuttles: Airport Blvd corridor hotels run 24-hour free shuttles from the arrivals level; rideshare to downtown Raleigh takes 15–20 minutes ($18–$26) and to downtown Durham about 20 minutes ($20–$28).
Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) is approximately 14 miles from Downtown Raleigh. That translates to roughly 20–40 minutes by car or rideshare, depending on traffic. If you have an early morning flight and want to cut your commute to near-zero, an airport-area hotel with a free shuttle beats the drive in most situations — especially when you factor in parking costs.
For more on ground transport options between RDU and Downtown Raleigh, including taxis, transit, and the cell-phone waiting lot, see the full RDU getting-around guide.
Airport hotels near RDU fill fastest around major holidays, long weekends, and large local events — rates can jump 40–80% in the days before high-demand dates. As a general rule, 2–4 weeks in advance gives you a solid range of options at reasonable prices. For summer travel (June through August) and the Thanksgiving/Christmas window, booking 6–8 weeks out is worth the extra planning.
For same-night stays — the kind you need after a diverted or badly delayed flight — airport hotels are typically the fastest to book and closest to the exit. Having the hotel app downloaded before you travel means you can secure a room before you even reach baggage claim. Rates for same-night walk-in bookings are almost always higher than advance reservations.
Midweek nights (Tuesday and Wednesday) at airport hotels near RDU are reliably cheaper than weekend nights — if your itinerary is flexible, shifting an overnight stay by a day or two can save $30–$70 per night.
No hotels are connected directly to RDU's terminals, but several properties within a short drive offer free 24-hour shuttles.
Raleigh Airport Marriott and Hilton Garden Inn RDU Airport both offer a complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle — call from baggage claim and the van is typically there within 10–15 minutes.
$8–$14 Uber/Lyft to airport-adjacent hotels. Airport Blvd corridor hotels run 24-hour free shuttles from the arrivals level; rideshare to downtown Raleigh takes 15–20 minutes ($18–$26) and to downtown Durham about 20 minutes ($20–$28).
Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) is about 14 miles from Downtown Raleigh. Driving typically takes 20–45 minutes depending on traffic; rideshare is the most flexible option for short trips downtown.
Airport hotels near RDU book fast around holidays and major events — aim to reserve at least 2–4 weeks in advance for the best rates. For the same-night stays that often follow a delayed or diverted flight, rates spike; having a few options bookmarked in advance helps.
Plan your hotel night around your flight
Use the Leave-By calculator to find the exact time you need to leave the hotel — folding in the RDU security wait, your shuttle time, and a buffer to your gate.
Get my Leave-By Time →See also: RDU TSA wait times · Getting to/from RDU · RDU airport parking