RDU Airport, NC – Nearly 160,000 people are expected to travel through Raleigh-Durham International Airport for the July 4th weekend. Holiday travel kicks off on Thursday, June 29 and ends Wednesday, July 5. The busiest travel days will be Thursday and Friday.
The number of travelers this holiday weekend is up from approximately 150,000 passengers over the same period last year.
As always, officials at RDU advise that you plan to arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes to two hours before your flight, especially on peak travel days. Travelers are also encouraged to visit www.rdu.com for information on airlines, parking, ground transportation and more.
Tips for Families
Many families will be traveling through RDU this holiday weekend. Following are some tips for passengers traveling with small children:
Children must be removed from strollers and carriers before proceeding through the security screening area.
All carry-on items, including strollers, child seats, diaper bags, blankets and toys, must go through security screening procedures.
All bags hanging on and carried under strollers must be removed and put through the X-ray machine.
To expedite the screening process, passengers should collapse and fold strollers and place them on the X-ray belt.
Sharp or pointed toys should be packed in checked luggage.
If children can walk, they should go through the metal detector at security checkpoint on their own.
If a child is traveling alone, families can make special arrangements with their airline to accompany the child to the departure gate. Parents should contact their airline before arriving at the airport.
More Travel Tips
When parking at RDU, watch the electronic signs, which will feature the latest parking information.
Pay for parking with ExitExpress. When entering the parking garage, remember to take your ticket with you. Pay for parking when you return from your trip at one of the ExitExpress pay stations.
Obtain your boarding pass before arriving at the airport. Most airlines allow passengers to print boarding passes from their web sites. This will allow you to bypass the ticket counter if you are not checking luggage.
Use airlines’ electronic kiosks. Most airlines at RDU feature electronic check-in kiosks at their ticket counters. Simply insert your credit card to receive your boarding pass. Your credit card will not be charged. It is for identification purposes only.
Visit the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) Web site for the latest tips on traveling for the summer.
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