Flying from Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU): What you need to know
Kick off your travels at one of Washington DC's main airports, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Explore your options for booking a flight from Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) leaving from either of these.
Around 1 hour 20 minutes is how long you'll be in the air on a direct Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport flight.
Durham's timezone is UTC-5, which is the same as Washington DC. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located in Durham.
The most popular route is from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), with 60 direct weekly services. If you want to be on your way right away, the earliest flight from DCA to RDU is the 7:49am Delta Air Lines service. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final departure is at 10:10pm with Delta Air Lines.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Washington DC to RDU. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid the stress of rushing.
July is a busy travel month. If you're heading away then or during a major holiday like Christmas or Thanksgiving, be there even earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and as much as four hours for international journeys.
Airports in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) offers an easy route to your destination. Nonstop flights from Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) can be booked from this terminal.
American Airlines is a leading airline that offers direct flights from Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport leaving from DCA.
American Airlines is the most frequently booked airline offering flights from DCA to RDU.
American Airlines is the leading carrier for punctuality on this route.
DCA is around 6 kilometres from central Washington DC. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take you 10 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 25 minutes.
In search of a comfortable hotel near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, these stays will put you a quick hop from check-in:
71% of flights that leave from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport land at their destination on schedule.
You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Thinking of flying out of Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)? Direct Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) plane tickets can be booked from here.
United Airlines operates direct flights from Washington DC to RDU leaving from IAD. Book your favourite seat and reach your destination in a single stretch.
United is the top choice for travellers flying from IAD to RDU.
For reliable, punctual service, book with United. It boasts an on-time performance of 80.29% for flights between Washington Dulles International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
You can get to IAD from the centre of Washington DC in about 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes to cover the 40 kilometres or so.
Got an early start? Think about staying at one of these hotels near Washington Dulles International Airport the day before your Washington DC to RDU flight:
When it comes to flight punctuality, Washington Dulles International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 77%.
The street address for IAD is 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)
One takeoff, one touchdown. You can book a direct flight from Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport departing from Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI).
Set off from BWI with Southwest Airlines. This trusted airline offers direct Washington DC to RDU plane tickets.
The majority of passengers choose to fly with Southwest Airlines from BWI to RDU.
With 78.12% of its services landing on schedule, Southwest Airlines is the best performing carrier for punctuality on this route.
BWI is roughly 48 kilometres from central Washington DC. Driving from the city centre to the terminal takes about 40 minutes. If you're planning to use public transport, expect a journey time of around 50 minutes.
Set yourself up for a smooth departure — stay near Baltimore Washington International Airport and know you'll reach the terminal with time to spare. Get settled at one of these hotels the day before if you've booked an early Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport flight:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that measures how often flights arrive at their destinations when they should. At BWI, that figure is 77%.
About Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Book one of these accommodation options near RDU instead:
To get the best deal, reserve your ride around one week ahead of your Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport flight.
Getting from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to central Durham
Central Durham is around 18 kilometres from Raleigh-Durham International Airport and takes about 20 minutes to reach by car. Explore your options for getting into the city, whether that's with a car hire, taxi or ride-share.
It'll take around 45 minutes if you're travelling on public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Currently, ₹ 6,497 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is ₹ 12,983. Remember fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
To snag cheap flights from Washington DC to RDU, book your plane ticket one month ahead of your planned departure.
June is when you're most likely to find a bargain on a Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport ticket. If you want to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for every month.
You don't need to search every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment a lower fare pops up on plane tickets from Washington DC to RDU.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
The best time to fly from Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
June is the busiest month for flights from Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). Visit Durham in December for a more low-key escape.
The warmest month in Durham is July, with temperatures ranging between 19ºC and 33ºC. Lock in your Washington DC to RDU plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
January sees temperatures of between -3ºC and 13ºC. Search for cheap tickets from Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Durham
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Durham right here. Check out these options after you've booked your flight from Washington DC to Raleigh-Durham International Airport:
There are loads of exciting things to do in Durham when you're ready to see the sights. Start exploring at DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Centre followed by Sarah P. Duke Gardens and Museum of Life and Science.
Explore more of the United States
Charlotte is just one of the many places in the United States waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of Durham. Around 193 kilometres away to the west, its top attractions include Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Discovery Place and NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Virginia Beach is another sought-after destination in the United States and is around 274 kilometres northeast of Durham. No trip is complete without a visit to Virginia Beach Boardwalk, Resort Beach and Neptune's Park.
