Transfer Options from Raleigh Airport to Downtown

Founded in 1792, Raleigh, the capital city of North Carolina, is a mix of history and modernity. The city has been called “The City of Oaks” because of its oak-tree-lined streets, and it has also been called “The Smithsonian of the South” because of its numerous top-rated free museums. With a concentration of technology and academic institutes in Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Durham, the area is known as the Research Triangle. This charming southern city also offers 180 miles of trails for those looking to spend some time outdoors.

Raleigh Airport is a little over 15 miles (24 kilometres) from downtown Raleigh. After landing at the airport, you can reach downtown by taxi or bus. Taking an airport taxi is the most comfortable and easiest way to travel from the airport to downtown. The journey takes 20 to 30 minutes by taxi, and the fare costs around $40 (€37.60). You can also take bus line 100 to transfer from the airport to downtown. The trip takes at least 26 minutes and costs $2.25 (€2.10).

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Raleigh at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€40	20min	24/7
Bus	€4.50	26min	06:30–22:30

How to get from Raleigh airport to Raleigh by taxi

Taking a taxi from Raleigh airport to downtown is the easiest and most comfortable transfer option. TaxiTaxi is the main company that provides its services at Raleigh airport. The trip typically takes 20 to 30 minutes and the taxi fare is estimated to cost around $40 (€37.60) to get from Raleigh airport to downtown, although that fare is not guaranteed.

Taxi fare from Raleigh airport to Downtown Raleigh

Local taxi fares are determined by a base rate of $1.95 (€1.80), $2.50 (€2.40) per mile, and $15 (€14.10) per hour of standing or waiting. Surcharges for excess baggage may apply as well. To take a taxi from Raleigh airport to downtown Raleigh, you can expect to pay around $40 (€37.60). For a competitive flat rate with no hidden charges, you can also book your ride in advance with Welcome Pickups.

Cost

$40

Trip Duration

20-30 min

Fares may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis from Raleigh airport are available 24/7.

Where do I get a taxi?

Taxis are available at both terminals of Raleigh airport. If you are coming from Terminal 1, you can find the taxi rank on the Ticketing and Bag Claim Level outside along the street, opposite Zone 4. If you are coming from Terminal 2, you can find the taxi rank on the Bag Claim Level outside the building, opposite Zone 5.

Convenience

Taking a taxi is the easiest way to reach downtown Raleigh from the airport. Taxis offer comfortable and spacious transfers, which is a plus especially if you are travelling with kiddos and/or lots of luggage. Plus, taxis offer door-to-door service, so you won’t have to worry about getting lost or losing time navigating public transportation.

Editor’s Note

If you are in the city and need a taxi to get to the airport, finding one to flag down from the road may be difficult, so we recommend booking in advance.

Useful Tips

Tipping taxi drivers is a standard practice throughout the US. It is common to tip great drivers 20% for their service.

Most taxi companies in Raleigh accept payment by card.

How to get from Raleigh airport to Downtown Raleigh by Bus

The cheapest way to reach downtown Raleigh from the airport is by bus. GoTriangle operates bus line 100 conveniently covering that route. The trip takes at least 26 minutes and costs $2.25 (€2.10) per traveller. Bus 100 is available from 6:30 to 22:30 on weekdays, 7:30 to 22:30 on Saturdays, and 7:30 to 20:30 on Sundays. Buses run every 30 minutes during the day on weekdays and every hour in the evenings and on weekends. If you arrive before 18:38 on a weekday, you will need to take the RDU airport shuttle to the GoTriangle Regional Transit Center where you can catch bus 100. Otherwise, bus 100 stops at both Terminals 1 and 2.

How much is fare for the bus from Raleigh airport to downtown?

A regular single-trip ticket costs $2.25 (€2.10). Tickets can be purchased in cash from the bus driver. Seniors aged 65 and up and kids 12 and under can ride for free, while kids between 13 to 18 can also ride for free with a Youth GoPass. Persons with a disability can purchase tickets at a discounted rate. Moreover, GoTriangle offers different day passes, 7-day passes, 31-day passes, and Value Cards, so it’s recommended to take a look and decide what is best based on your needs, should you want to get a better deal.

Cost

$2.25

Trip Duration

26 min

There is a wait time of up to 1 hour for the bus.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The bus is available from 6:30 to 22:30 on weekdays, 7:30 to 22:30 on Saturdays, and 7:30 to 20:30 on Sundays.

Where can I find the bus?

Bus 100 stops at both terminals. At Terminal 1, you can find the bus outside Zone 2 on the Ticketing and Bag Claim Level. At Terminal 2, you can find the bus on the Bag Claim level outside Zone 6. If you are landing at the airport before 18:38 on a weekday, you will need to take the RDU airport shuttle to the GoTriangle Regional Transit Center, and then you can take bus 100 from there.

Convenience

Taking the bus from Raleigh airport to downtown is a great way to save some money. However, taking the bus does require more time for the transfer, and you will likely have to do some additional walking or take another form of transport to reach your exact destination.

Timetables

RDU airport shuttle

Bus 100

Editor’s Note

Kindly note that the bus fare is currently free for everybody up until June 2023.

Useful Tips

You can ask the driver for a free transfer card if you need to transfer buses. If you are transferring from a regional bus to an express bus, you will need to pay $0.70 for the transfer card.

You can download the official TransLoc Rider app to track buses in real-time.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

How do I get from Raleigh Airport to downtown?

You can get from Raleigh Airport to downtown by taxi or by bus. The taxi trip will take at least 20 minutes and is estimated to cost around $40 (€37.60). The bus line 100 can get you from the airport to downtown in a minimum of 26 minutes, excluding any wait time. The standard fare for a one-way bus ticket is $2.25 (€2.10).

How far is downtown Raleigh from Raleigh Airport?

Downtown Raleigh is around 15 miles (24 kilometres) from the airport. The trip by taxi takes at least 20 minutes. If you transfer by bus, the trip takes at least 26 minutes.

Is there a direct bus from Raleigh Airport to downtown?

If you are travelling in the evening or on the weekend, you can take bus 100 from Terminal 1 or 2 to go downtown. If you are travelling during the day on a weekday, you will need to take the RDU airport shuttle bus to the GoTriangle Regional Transit Center, and you can take bus 100 from there to reach downtown. Keep in mind that bus 100 makes numerous stops along the route downtown.

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How to get from Raleigh airport to Raleigh by taxi

Taxi fare from Raleigh airport to Downtown Raleigh

Cost

$40

Trip Duration

20-30 min

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis from Raleigh airport are available 24/7.

Where do I get a taxi?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Raleigh airport to Downtown Raleigh by Bus

How much is fare for the bus from Raleigh airport to downtown?

Cost

$2.25

Trip Duration

26 min

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The bus is available from 6:30 to 22:30 on weekdays, 7:30 to 22:30 on Saturdays, and 7:30 to 20:30 on Sundays.

Where can I find the bus?

Convenience

Timetables

RDU airport shuttle

Bus 100

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Raleigh Airport to downtown?

How far is downtown Raleigh from Raleigh Airport?

Is there a direct bus from Raleigh Airport to downtown?

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Transfer Options in Raleigh

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