RDU recommends planning ahead to secure parking amid holiday travel rush
Rain showers slowed the start of the busy Thanksgiving travel season. Slick roads and crashes along Interstate 40 in the Triangle caused delays for commuters and travelers Tuesday evening.
Record travel numbers are expected at Raleigh-Durham International Airport through the holiday weekend. More than 286,000 people are expected to pass through RDU this week. More than 143,000 people are forecast to pass through security checkpoints between Wednesday, Nov. 22, and Monday, Nov. 27. The airport is expecting this year’s Thanksgiving travel rush to surpass the record it met in 2019, beating out pre-pandemic numbers.
Sunday is expected to be the busiest travel day at the airport followed by Wednesday and Monday.
On a national scale, the TSA expects 30 million Americans to pass through an airport between Nov. 20 and Nov. 28. This all comes as the TSA is working to address a shortage of air traffic controllers.
RDU parking spots filling fast
Many of those who travel will plan to park in an RDU lot.
Crystal Feldman, RDU vice president of communications, government and community affairs, recommended coming with a plan, because lots fill up fast. Booking is required 24 hours in advance.
"We have the terminal deck, which has Central and Premier, as well as Park Economy 3, Park Economy 4 and Express (parking). We also have digital road signage around the airport that tells you which lots are open and which ones are closed," Feldman said.
Travelers can book a reserved parking spot at RDU up until 24 hours before their scheduled flight.
There are a total of 20,000 parking spaces available at the airport. Travelers can visit parkrdu.com to see available parking spaces and choose their lot, date and parking time.
RDU's new Express Lot just opened in October, adding another 1,000 parking spaces at RDU.
Parking is available on demand for people who prefer not to book in advance.
Cheryl Johnson booked four days of parking, swiped a code for access and got into the terminal without standing in the rain. "$80 for our four nights, and it's just so easy," she said. "Every time, we're doing this. I don't care how much it costs. It's just so much more relaxing."
Christopher Scott has learned from experience to plan ahead. "I've done that before at this airport where I showed up and there wasn't any space," he said.
Off-airport parking options, like Fast Park, were only taking day-of bookings by Tuesday afternoon. That's at a cost of $12.50 per day, 50 cents more than a day of parking in an RDU Economy lot.
And of course, there's always rideshare, but pricing depends on location and time of day.
Uber driver Swaled Issa says, "When you take Uber from the airport from 4 o'clock until 12 midnight the price can completely change and become triple."
On the roads, 49 million people are expected to drive to their Thanksgiving destinations. AAA expects Wednesday to be the most crowded on the roads.
At the pump, you'll be paying an average price of $3.03 in North Carolina - 30 cents less than this same time last year. WRAL has a fuel tracker to help you find the cheapest gas. Sheetz is also running a Thanksgiving week special, with Unleaded 88 gas just $1.99 per gallon.
Tips for smooth Thanksgiving air travel
The TSA shared the following tips for smoother holiday travel:
- Book parking online at least 24 hours in advance at parkrdu.com.
- Arrive 2 to 3 hours before your scheduled flight. Check in early.
- Download the app of your airline to get updates on your flight status and any changes.
- Know TSA rules and make sure your luggage is ready to pass through security.
- Empty your pockets prior to arriving in the checkpoint.
- Know how to travel with special holiday foods and drinks. Alcohol, jams, jellies, sauces and wines in quantities larger than 3.4 ounces should go in a checked bag. Cakes, pies, cookies and breads can travel in carry-on luggage in any quantity, but may require some additional screening.
- Use gift bags instead of wrapping paper in case the TSA has to search the gift.
