RDU Park and Fly Hotels: 2026 Guide to Rates & Shuttles

An RDU park-and-fly hotel is a hotel near Raleigh-Durham International Airport that lets you leave your car in their lot for the full length of your trip — then ride a free shuttle to and from the terminals. Based on current Triply rates (verified October 2026), RDU park and fly hotels start at just $7.66/day, compared to $14.50/day for the cheapest on-airport ParkRDU lot. That's a savings of up to 47% for travelers who plan ahead. For a deeper look at every RDU parking option side by side, see the Complete RDU Airport Parking Guide.

• Five verified hotel lots near RDU offer park-and-fly packages, ranging from $7.66 to $11.70/day (verified October 2026).
• All five include a free shuttle to the terminal — but only Sheraton Imperial runs 24/7.
• Savings vs. on-airport parking can reach $6.84 per day at the lowest-priced lot — more than $47 on a week-long trip.
• Four lots charge no oversize-vehicle fee, making them a strong choice for trucks, vans, and SUVs.
• EV charging is available at Embassy Suites by Hilton Research Triangle (4 spots, per listing).
• Book at least a day ahead — hotel lots fill up during peak travel weeks and holidays.

Compare all five RDU park-and-fly hotel lots — rates from $7.66/day on Triply.

How Do RDU Park and Fly Hotels Work?

The process is simple. You drive to the hotel, park in their designated lot, and take a free shuttle to the airport. When you return, you call the hotel from the terminal, and the shuttle picks you up at the red curb hotel-shuttle zone outside your terminal.

Here's the step-by-step process from reservation to return:

1. Book online through Triply. Select your dates and the hotel lot you want. You'll receive a confirmation with the hotel's address and shuttle pickup instructions.
2. Drive to the hotel on departure day. Pull into the hotel parking lot and follow any posted signs for park-and-fly guests. Most hotels ask you to check in at the front desk so staff know your car is in the lot.
3. Board the free shuttle to RDU. Each hotel runs scheduled or on-demand shuttles. Allow extra time — budget at least 30-45 minutes before you need to be at the terminal, including the shuttle ride and check-in.
4. Fly your trip. Your car stays safely in the hotel lot the entire time.
5. Return to RDU. After collecting your bags, call the hotel's shuttle number. Wait at the red curb hotel-shuttle pickup zones outside Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.
6. Pick up your car and go. No ticket machines, no gate codes — your parking is already paid.

One important timing note: TSA security screening at RDU can vary significantly by time of day. Build extra buffer into your schedule, especially on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons. If you have TSA PreCheck, you'll move through the checkpoint faster — but the shuttle ride still takes time, so don't cut it close.

RDU does not have an on-site hotel inside the airport, so every hotel parking option involves a short off-airport drive. The lots listed below are all within a few miles of the terminals, and shuttle ride times are typically under 15 minutes based on their proximity to RDU.

The 24/7 Option: Sheraton Imperial Raleigh-Durham Airport

The Sheraton Imperial Raleigh-Durham Airport is the lowest-priced and most flexible option among RDU park and fly hotels, at $7.66/day (verified October 2026). It is the only hotel lot that runs shuttles around the clock — every hour, 24/7 — making it the best pick for red-eye flights or very early morning departures.

Key details for Sheraton Imperial:

• Rate: $7.66/day — the cheapest verified rate available near RDU
• Shuttle: 24/7, every hour; on-demand pickups also available
• Return pickup: Call (919) 941-5050 after collecting your luggage at RDU
• Amenities: 24/7 front desk, on-site restaurant
• Location: Near Research Triangle Park along the Emperor Blvd / Page Rd corridor

At $7.66/day, a 7-night trip costs roughly $53.62 total for parking — compared to $101.50 for ParkRDU Economy. That's a saving of nearly $48 on a single week-long trip, based on published 2026 rates. For frequent travelers, that difference adds up fast.

The 24/7 shuttle schedule makes the Sheraton Imperial stand out. If your flight departs at 5 AM or lands at 2 AM, you're covered. No other hotel lot in this group guarantees overnight shuttle service.

Cary and Morrisville Hotel Lots: Embassy Suites, Cambria, Microtel and Quality Inn

Four more hotel lots near RDU offer park-and-fly packages, all running shuttles between roughly 4 AM and midnight. These lots are clustered near the Morrisville hotel corridor (Aerial Center Pkwy, Airgate Dr) and are all accessible from Interstate 40 and Interstate 540.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Research Triangle — $8.24/day

The Embassy Suites by Hilton Research Triangle is priced at $8.24/day (verified October 2026). The shuttle runs every 30 minutes from 4:00 AM to midnight, departing on the hour and half-hour. There is no shuttle between midnight and 4 AM. After landing, call the hotel and wait at the red curb pickup zone.

• EV charging: 4 spots available (per listing description) — the only hotel lot at RDU with confirmed EV charging
• No oversize-vehicle fee
• Security: Listed as a security amenity on the lot
• On-site restaurant

If you drive an electric vehicle, Embassy Suites is the clear choice. EV charging at airport parking lots is rare — check current charger availability directly with the hotel before you arrive.

Cambria Hotel Raleigh - Durham Airport — $10.20/day

The Cambria Hotel Raleigh - Durham Airport charges $10.20/day (verified October 2026). The shuttle runs every 30 minutes from 4:15 AM to midnight, departing at :15 and :45 past each hour. Pickups from the airport are on demand — call the hotel after collecting your bags. No overnight service.

• No oversize-vehicle fee
• Wheelchair access
• On-site restaurant

Microtel Inn & Suites — $10.65/day

The Microtel Inn & Suites is priced at $10.65/day (verified October 2026). Shuttles to RDU run every 30 minutes from 4:15 AM to 11:45 PM. Return pickups are on demand. Note the slightly earlier end time compared to the other lots — plan accordingly if your flight lands late.

• Camera surveillance and ADA-compliant aisle access
• No oversize-vehicle fee
• Wheelchair access
• 24/7 front desk

Quality Inn & Suites — $11.70/day

The Quality Inn & Suites is the highest-priced option at $11.70/day (verified October 2026). The shuttle runs every 30 minutes from 4:00 AM to midnight in both directions. No overnight service.

• Camera surveillance
• Wheelchair access and ADA/aisle access
• No oversize-vehicle fee

Even at the top of the off-site range, Quality Inn & Suites at $11.70/day is still $2.80/day cheaper than ParkRDU Economy — saving you nearly $20 on a 7-night trip, based on current published rates.

Which Lots Are Best for Trucks, Vans and Oversized Vehicles?

Four of the five RDU park and fly hotels charge no oversize-vehicle fee: Embassy Suites by Hilton Research Triangle, Cambria Hotel, Microtel Inn & Suites, and Quality Inn & Suites. Only Sheraton Imperial does not list this benefit explicitly in its lot description.

On-airport, oversized vehicle and garage height policies are covered in the ParkRDU FAQ, but specific details were not readable at the time of our review (October 2026). Contact RDU Parking directly at 919-840-2140 (Mon-Fri, 8 AM–5 PM) if you drive an oversized vehicle and are considering on-airport options.

For most truck, van, and full-size SUV owners, the off-site hotel lots are the safer, cheaper bet. You avoid any potential garage height restrictions and pay significantly less per day. The shuttle vans at hotel lots are typically large enough to accommodate passengers with extra luggage.

Which RDU Park-and-Fly Hotel Should You Book?

The right hotel lot depends on your flight time, vehicle type, and budget. Use this table to make a quick decision.

For comparison, here's how hotel lots stack up against ParkRDU's on-airport options, based on official rdu.com rates (verified October 2026):

Based on our analysis, every hotel lot on Triply beats ParkRDU Economy by at least $2.80/day — and the cheapest option saves you $6.84/day. Over a 10-day trip, that gap grows to $68.40 in your pocket instead of a parking garage. You can explore more about what drives these price differences in our article on how off-airport parking competes with the airport garage.

What Happens If Your Flight Is Delayed or Your Trip Runs Long?

Flight delays are a real consideration for any parking reservation. If your return flight is delayed, your car simply stays in the hotel lot longer. Most hotel park-and-fly lots accommodate extended stays — but contact the hotel directly if your trip extends beyond your booked end date to confirm your spot and any additional daily charges.

On the departure side, if your outbound flight is cancelled and rebooked for a later date, reach out to the hotel lot as soon as possible. Policies vary by property. Booking through Triply gives you a clear record of your reservation, which makes it easier to discuss changes with the hotel.

For flight status tracking before you head to the lot, FlightAware's RDU live tracking page shows real-time departure and arrival data. If road delays are a factor on the way to your hotel, check real-time traffic on Waze before you leave — Interstate 40 and Interstate 540 can back up during peak hours near the airport.

RDU's ongoing runway replacement project (a ~$400M program with completion expected in 2029, per the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority) is an airside construction effort and does not affect parking or hotel shuttle access, based on current information from rdu.com (October 2026). Check the RDU newsroom for any new alerts before you travel.

How Do I Book an RDU Park-and-Fly Hotel Package?

Booking is straightforward. All five hotel lots near RDU are bookable through Triply. You select your airport, enter your travel dates, choose a lot, and pay at booking. Your confirmation includes the hotel address, check-in instructions, and shuttle contact numbers — everything you need in one place.

A few tips to get the most out of your booking:

• Book early during peak periods. Holiday weeks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break) fill up fast. Hotel lots have limited spaces.
• Save the shuttle number in your phone. You'll need it to call for pickup after landing. Sheraton Imperial: (919) 941-5050.
• Plan for the 4 AM window if your flight leaves before 5 AM. Only Sheraton Imperial guarantees a shuttle before 4 AM.
• Confirm your vehicle fits if you drive a large truck or camper van. Four lots explicitly list no oversize-vehicle fee.
• Check EV charger availability at Embassy Suites directly if you need to top up before your trip.

Travelers researching what matters most in an airport parking lot — including security, shuttle reliability, and lot cleanliness — can find a broader breakdown in our article on what travelers look for when choosing airport parking. The priorities there translate directly to the RDU hotel lot decision.

RDU park and fly hotels offer a straightforward way to cut your parking bill without sacrificing a reliable shuttle to the terminal. Five verified lots, rates from $7.66 to $11.70/day, and free shuttles on every one — the savings are real and the process is simple. Find your RDU park-and-fly hotel lot on Triply and lock in your rate before your trip fills up.