Raleigh-Durham International gives you reach without the hassle, making it easy to find cheap flights from Raleigh-Durham across the US, the Caribbean, and Europe.
RDU serves the Research Triangle with two straightforward terminals and a network that, as of 2025, includes about 80 nonstop destinations with roughly 14 international options, subject to change. For short trips, frequent hops connect you to major hubs such as Atlanta, New York, and Chicago, keeping weekend flights from Raleigh-Durham quick and simple. For long hauls, nonstop options stretch to Europe and Latin America, with seasonal links to Canada and the Caribbean.
Travelers like RDU’s efficient security and dining mix, and ongoing improvements are focused on easing peak time congestion, subject to change. The combination of breadth, simplicity, and upgrades makes it a smart home base whether you are eyeing a spontaneous getaway or planning a multi week journey.
With broad coverage from both full service and low cost carriers, flights from Raleigh-Durham give you room to be flexible on dates, durations, and airports, which is ideal when you are comparing alternatives to save money and time.
From quick business hops to big summer holidays, these routes illustrate why travelers start in Raleigh-Durham and go anywhere.
For domestic standbys, RDU to Atlanta takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, RDU to New York LaGuardia is around 1 hour 30 minutes, and RDU to Chicago O Hare is roughly 2 hours 30 minutes, with multiple daily services in each case, examples subject to change. These short routes are popular for meetings, sports weekends, and connections further afield.
Across the Atlantic, nonstop RDU to London Heathrow takes about 7 hours 30 minutes, while RDU to Paris Charles de Gaulle is around 8 hours, and RDU to Frankfurt is about 8 hours 25 minutes and typically operates several times a week, examples subject to change. Link one of these majors to open up the rest of Europe with minimal connections, whether your first stop is London or Paris.
North and Central America are well covered too. RDU to Mexico City is about 4 hours 20 minutes, RDU to Panama City is around 4 hours on select days weekly, and seasonal services often include RDU to Vancouver at about 4 hours 55 minutes and RDU to Calgary at about 5 hours 20 minutes, examples subject to change. If your plans lean beachward, look for seasonal or limited weekly flights to Caribbean favorites such as Freeport at about 2 hours, plus newly added options to Montego Bay and Punta Cana, examples subject to change. When you are planning a Rockies road trip or a city break up north, keep an eye on Canada routes for summer spikes and shoulder season value.
If a nonstop does not fit your timing or budget, use Kiwi.com’s self transfer itineraries to combine separate tickets within one trip and expand your choices beyond the standard network. For extra peace of mind on those combos, add the Kiwi.com Guarantee with Disruption Protection, which helps if carrier changes stop your trip, with options such as instant Kiwi.com Credit to rebook or help applying for airline refunds, subject to eligibility and change.
Prices move with seasons and demand, so flexible dates and early planning often pay off.
Summer and major holidays are peak from RDU, particularly for Europe and sun destinations, so shoulder months in spring and fall often offer better value, subject to change. A practical rule of thumb is to book domestic flights about 4 to 6 weeks ahead and long haul international flights 2 to 4 months ahead, with flexibility on weekdays and flight times improving your odds, subject to change.
Turn volatility to your advantage by setting the free Set a Price Alert on routes you are watching. Kiwi.com will monitor fares and let you know when prices change so you can grab a fare you like without constant rechecking.
Building a multi city trip from Raleigh-Durham is easiest with the Nomad Search Tool, which finds an efficient order for three or more stops in a flash. If you are feeling adventurous or hunting for hidden savings, explore Kiwi.com’s Travel Hacks such as self transfer, hidden cities, and throwaway tickets, all subject to carrier rules and change. Manage it all on the go and receive alerts with the Kiwi.com App.
Here is the practical, on the ground detail that helps you move smoothly on departure day.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport has IATA code RDU and operates two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The airport sits off Interstate 40 between Raleigh and Durham, with on site parking and curbside zones that are easy to navigate. For public transport, GoTriangle buses connect the airport to the region, while taxis and app based ride services operate from designated pickup areas, subject to change. For a stress free start, plan to arrive about 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights to allow for check in and security.
Terminal facilities include dining and retail options, lounges, and accessible services, with an emphasis on keeping flows efficient as volumes grow, subject to change. Security lines are generally well managed, and recent investments have targeted peak time bottlenecks to improve throughput.
Airlines flying from Raleigh-Durham include a blend of major US carriers, low cost operators, and international flag carriers, covering frequent domestic routes, transatlantic links to hubs like London, Paris, and Frankfurt, Latin America connections such as Mexico City and Panama City, and seasonal services to Canada and the Caribbean, subject to change. If the exact time and price you want are not offered on a single ticket, Kiwi.com’s self transfer itineraries can combine separate airlines into one trip to open more options. Add the Kiwi.com Guarantee for Automatic check in, 24 or 7 instant chat support, and Disruption Protection if carrier changes impact your journey, subject to terms.