RDU Long Term Parking 2026: Rates, Lots & Best Deals

Back to RDU Parking Rates 2026 | Complete RDU Airport Parking Guide

RDU long term parking is any parking arrangement at Raleigh-Durham International Airport lasting more than a day or two — and in 2026, your options range from $7.66/day at off-airport hotel lots to $34/day for covered garage parking steps from the terminal. On-airport, ParkRDU runs four lots: Economy, Express, Central, and Premier. Off-airport, five hotel park-and-fly lots near the airport offer free shuttles and rates up to 53% lower than on-airport prices — all bookable through Triply. For most multi-day trips, the savings on off-airport lots add up fast.

• Cheapest option: Sheraton Imperial Raleigh-Durham Airport at $7.66/day via Triply — free shuttle runs 24/7, every hour
• Cheapest on-airport: ParkRDU Economy at $14.50/day with a free 24/7 shuttle every 20 minutes
• Closest to terminals: ParkRDU Premier at $34/day — walk directly to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2
• Best for EV drivers: Embassy Suites by Hilton Research Triangle at $8.24/day, with 4 EV charging spots on-site
• Best for oversized vehicles: Embassy Suites, Cambria, Microtel, and Quality Inn & Suites all charge no oversize fee
• Pre-booking: ParkRDU recommends reserving at least 24 hours ahead; your license plate opens the gate

Compare all RDU long term parking lots — rates from $7.66/day on Triply.

What Are the RDU Long-Term Parking Options and How Much Do They Cost?

Raleigh-Durham International Airport offers nine verified parking options for long-term travelers in 2026 — four on-airport lots operated by ParkRDU and five off-airport hotel lots bookable on Triply. Rates below are verified as of October 2026 per rdu.com and Triply listing data.

All ParkRDU lots are cashless — pay by credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Pay-on-foot kiosks and exit-lane pay stations are available. If you need cash, ReadySTATION kiosks in Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and the garage exit plaza (1050 Cargo Drive) convert cash to prepaid cards. You have 30 minutes to exit after paying.

How Does RDU Long-Term Parking Compare: On-Airport vs. Off-Airport?

Off-airport hotel lots save you real money on longer trips. Based on current Triply rates, parking at the Sheraton Imperial for 7 nights costs about $53.62 total — versus $101.50 for ParkRDU Economy over the same period. That's a savings of nearly $48 on a single week-long trip, or about 47%.

The trade-off is shuttle logistics. All five Triply hotel lots use the red curb hotel-shuttle zones outside each terminal — the same pickup spots covered in our guide to RDU park and fly hotels, rates, and shuttle schedules. When you return, collect your bags first, then call the hotel to request pickup. The Sheraton Imperial is the only lot with true 24/7 service — the other four lots do not run overnight shuttles between midnight and 4 AM.

On-Airport vs. Off-Airport: Key Trade-Offs

• Price: Off-airport lots run $7.66–$11.70/day. On-airport lots run $14.50–$34/day — up to 53% more expensive.
• Shuttle wait: ParkRDU Economy runs every 20 minutes. ParkRDU Express is trunk-to-terminal. Hotel lots run every 30–60 minutes depending on the property.
• Covered parking: ParkRDU Central and Premier are in a covered garage. Most hotel lots are surface lots (type not specified in listings).
• Luggage help: ParkRDU Express includes trunk-to-terminal shuttle with luggage assistance. Hotel lots do not advertise this service.
• EV charging: Embassy Suites lists 4 EV charging spots. On-airport EV charging — verify with RDU Parking at 919-840-2140 before your trip.
• Late-night returns: Only ParkRDU lots and Sheraton Imperial handle late arrivals without interruption.

Which RDU Parking Lot Is Best for Your Trip Length?

The right lot depends on how long you're gone. Here's a breakdown by trip length, based on our analysis of verified 2026 rates.

1–2 Days

For short trips, ParkRDU Central ($22.75/day) or ParkRDU Premier ($34/day) are worth considering. You walk directly to both terminals — no shuttle wait, no extra logistics. The time savings matter more when your trip is short.

3–5 Days

At this length, ParkRDU Economy ($14.50/day) becomes the smarter on-airport choice. The free 24/7 shuttle runs every 20 minutes, and you save significantly compared to the garage. Off-airport lots like Embassy Suites ($8.24/day) or Cambria Hotel ($10.20/day) save even more — around $18–$32 versus Economy over a 4-night stay.

7+ Days (Long Vacation or Business Travel)

For a full week or longer, the savings from off-airport hotel lots are substantial. A 10-night stay at Sheraton Imperial costs about $76.60. The same stay at ParkRDU Economy runs $145. That's $68.40 back in your pocket — enough to cover baggage fees or a nice dinner. For trips over 10 days, always book an off-airport hotel lot through Triply.

How Do You Reserve RDU Parking Online (and How Much Can You Save vs. Drive-Up)?

Pre-booking on-airport parking through ParkRDU's reservation system guarantees your space. The airport recommends booking at least 24 hours in advance. Your license plate serves as your entry credential — no ticket to lose.

For off-airport lots, book through Triply's RDU parking search. Rates on Triply are fixed at the per-day price shown — no surprise fees on exit. Drive-up pricing at on-airport lots can vary, and you risk finding a full lot during peak travel periods. Pre-booking removes that uncertainty entirely.

Planning your drive? Before you leave home, check real-time traffic on Waze — especially during morning rush hours on Interstate 40. The airport sits at roughly the midpoint between Raleigh (about 15 miles) and Durham (about 12 miles), so congestion on I-40 can add meaningful time to your drive.

What Amenities and Services Does Each RDU Parking Lot Offer?

Amenities vary significantly across lots. Here's what each option actually provides, based on verified listing data.

ParkRDU Express — Luggage Assistance and Water

ParkRDU Express at $18.50/day is the standout for service. The shuttle goes trunk-to-terminal, staff help with your bags, and you get a complimentary bottled water. It runs 24/7. For travelers with heavy luggage or mobility needs, this is the best on-airport value.

Microtel Inn & Suites — Security and ADA Access

At $10.65/day, Microtel offers camera surveillance, ADA-compliant aisle access, wheelchair access, a 24/7 front desk, and no oversize-vehicle fee. It's a strong pick for travelers who want documented security features at a budget price.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Research Triangle — EV Charging

Embassy Suites at $8.24/day is the only Triply lot that lists on-site EV charging — 4 spots per the listing description. It also has on-site security, a restaurant, and no oversize fee. Confirm EV spot availability when you book, as demand can be high.

How Do RDU Airport Shuttles Work and How Long Will It Take to Reach Your Terminal?

Every parking option at RDU — on-airport and off-airport — includes a free shuttle to the terminals. Here's how each one operates.

• ParkRDU Economy: Free shuttle runs 24/7, every 20 minutes. Departs from the Economy lot to both terminals.
• ParkRDU Express: Free 24/7 trunk-to-terminal shuttle with luggage assistance. More frequent, more hands-on service.
• ParkRDU Central and Premier: No shuttle needed. Walk directly to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 from the covered garage.
• Sheraton Imperial: Free shuttle 24/7, every hour; pickups on demand. Call (919) 941-5050 after collecting bags on return.
• Embassy Suites: Free shuttle 4 AM–midnight, every 30 minutes (on the hour and half-hour). No overnight service.
• Cambria Hotel: Free shuttle 4:15 AM–midnight, every 30 minutes (at :15 and :45). No overnight service.
• Microtel Inn & Suites: Free shuttle 4:15 AM–11:45 PM, every 30 minutes to the airport; on-demand pickups from the airport.
• Quality Inn & Suites: Free shuttle 4 AM–midnight, every 30 minutes to and from the airport.

All hotel shuttles use the red curb hotel-shuttle zones outside each terminal, per the RDU ground transportation page. On the way home, call your hotel after you collect your luggage — don't wait curbside first. Exact ride duration from each hotel lot to the terminal isn't published, but the lots are all in the Morrisville/RTP corridor close to the airport. Budget around 10–15 minutes including loading time.

For a full breakdown of all ground transport options — including rideshare, GoTriangle Route 100, and taxis — see our guide to getting to and from RDU Airport in 2026.

Is There EV Charging, Covered Parking, or ADA Access at RDU?

These are among the most frequently searched RDU parking questions — and the answers vary by lot.

EV Charging at RDU

On-airport EV charging availability is not confirmed in current published data — contact RDU Parking at 919-840-2140 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM) to verify before your trip. Off-airport, Embassy Suites by Hilton Research Triangle lists 4 EV charging spots. That's the only verified EV option among the five Triply lots.

Covered Parking

ParkRDU Central ($22.75/day) and ParkRDU Premier ($34/day) are in a covered garage. Both allow you to walk directly to Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The other lots — Economy, Express, and all hotel lots — are surface or unspecified-type lots.

ADA and Accessible Parking

The RDU parking FAQ covers accessible parking options, but the specific details were not readable as of our October 2026 review. Call RDU Parking at 919-840-2140 to confirm current ADA spaces and any applicable discounts. Among off-airport options, Microtel Inn & Suites and Quality Inn & Suites both list ADA-compliant aisle access and wheelchair access in their verified listings.

Before you finalize your parking plan, review TSA's official screening rules and budget enough time for the shuttle plus security. If you travel frequently, TSA PreCheck can cut security time considerably — a smart pairing with any long-term parking strategy.

RDU Long-Term Parking Tips: How to Get the Best Deal

Smart RDU long term parking planning comes down to a few simple moves. Follow these and you'll consistently pay less than the average traveler.

1. Book before you go. Pre-booking through ParkRDU or Triply locks in your rate and guarantees a space. During summer peaks and holiday travel, lots fill — drive-up availability is never guaranteed.
2. Choose off-airport for trips of 3 or more days. Based on current Triply rates, even a 3-night stay at Sheraton Imperial saves you over $20 versus ParkRDU Economy. The longer the trip, the bigger the gap.
3. Check your shuttle window. If you have a red-eye or very early departure, only Sheraton Imperial and all ParkRDU lots offer service at 2 AM or 3 AM. Other hotel lots don't run overnight shuttles.
4. Drive a truck or van? Embassy Suites, Cambria, Microtel, and Quality Inn & Suites all waive oversize-vehicle fees. Verify garage height limits for on-airport garages by calling 919-840-2140.
5. Check rdu.com for alerts. The Runway 5L-23R replacement project (a roughly $400M program expected to complete in 2029) is airside and not passenger-facing — but always check RDU's newsroom for any new alerts before your travel date.
6. Pay your way. All ParkRDU lots are cashless. Bring a credit card, or use Apple Pay / Google Pay. If you only have cash, use a ReadySTATION kiosk inside the terminal to load a prepaid card.

For a visual breakdown of where each lot sits relative to the terminals, the RDU parking map and lot guide walks through every zone with terminal-by-terminal tips.

RDU long term parking doesn't have to cost a lot. Off-airport hotel lots on Triply start at just $7.66/day — less than half the price of on-airport parking — with free shuttles included. Compare all RDU parking options and book your spot on Triply.