Getting Around Raleigh: An Overview
Raleigh is a predominantly car-dependent city, and no metro, subway, or tram/light rail system exists here. Visitors who want to explore without a car can rely on a bus network, ride-hailing, bikes and scooters, and walking — but walking is practical mainly in the downtown core. The city sits centrally on the US East Coast, roughly halfway between Florida and New York City, and is served by interstate highways, so many travelers arrive by car or rental car.
Arriving by Air: Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (airport code RDU) is the main gateway to the city. It was formerly a hub for American Airlines and Midway Airlines, and today it is a fairly large focus city for Delta and is well served by Southwest. Rental car availability is best at RDU, with some companies also operating downtown.
For travelers relying on public transport, the airport is connected to the bus network: GoTriangle Route 100 stops at the airport on its way from the Regional Transit Center to downtown Raleigh. GoTriangle is the Triangle's inter-city bus service, running routes between Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and RDU, with a hub near Research Triangle Park.
Rail Service
Amtrak provides train service to Raleigh. The Piedmont runs from Charlotte, and two daily long-distance routes — the Carolinian and the Silver Star — head north through Richmond, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia to New York City. Southbound, the Carolinian follows the Piedmont route to Charlotte, while the Silver Star continues through Columbia and Savannah toward Florida. Raleigh Union Station, at 510 W Martin St, has completely replaced the old station.
Buses and Public Transport
Raleigh's public transport is bus-based, with several systems serving different areas:
- GoRaleigh — routes within Raleigh city limits, including a free downtown circulator bus called the R-Line.
- GoTriangle — regional routes between Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill, as well as Research Triangle Park and RDU airport.
- Wolfline — NC State University's bus service, free and open to the public (no student ID required); it connects the university's campuses, student housing, some private apartments, and park-and-ride lots, and operates on days classes are in session.
- GoCary (formerly C-Tran) and GoApex — serve other parts of Wake County.
Buses are generally described as clean and well-maintained, many with Wi-Fi, and fares are inexpensive. For routes, schedules, and fares, GoTriangle.org offers a helpful trip planner. Commuter Express routes also operate, and a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line — North Carolina's first — is under construction, connecting New Bern Avenue in downtown Raleigh to New Hope Road with dedicated bus lanes.
Tickets and Passes
Regional Passes are available from GoTriangle and can be purchased at the Regional Transit Center (901 Slater Road, Durham). One-day passes can be purchased on buses — tell the driver you want to buy a day pass before inserting money into the farebox. Regional Passes work on GoTriangle, GoRaleigh, GoDurham, and GoCary buses. GoRaleigh also offers a lower-cost alternative that works only on GoRaleigh buses, called the GoRaleigh Day Pass, purchasable directly from the bus driver or at the GoRaleigh Station in downtown Raleigh. GoTriangle fares are $2.25 per trip, $3.00 for express routes, and $4.50 for a day pass.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
There are licensed taxi operators in Raleigh of varying quality; Spanish speakers may appreciate Amigo taxi. Ride-hailing is widely available, with Uber and Lyft both having a strong presence. Carpool-matching is also possible through Share the Ride NC (STRNC), a website for sharing rides to events and destinations.
Driving and Parking
Driving is the most common way to get around Raleigh, and traffic is generally lighter than in Atlanta or Los Angeles, though congestion peaks at rush hour — especially on I-440 (the loop around downtown, also called the Raleigh Beltline) and the I-40 corridor between Raleigh and Durham/Research Triangle Park. Interstate 40 heads west to Durham, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Asheville, and about 2½ hours east to Wilmington. Interstates 85 and 95 do not directly enter Raleigh but provide easy access from up and down the Eastern Seaboard. US 1, the East Coast corridor route, cuts through Raleigh as Capital Blvd.
Downtown Raleigh is easy to navigate thanks to its grid of one-way streets. Capital Boulevard (US 401) splits into Dawson Street heading south and McDowell Street heading north; from the west, Hillsborough Street is interrupted midway by the state Capitol building and continues east as New Bern Avenue (US 64).
Parking enforcement and towing in Raleigh are known to be particularly aggressive, so follow all signs and rules. Most parking meters have been converted to electronic pay stations accepting coins and MasterCard/Visa, and most metered areas are enforced only Monday–Friday from 8AM–5PM. Some parking garages are free on evenings and weekends, but "special event" rates are common during major downtown events. Downtown options include street parking, lots, and parking decks; the Downtown Raleigh Alliance provides an interactive parking map. Street parking signs use blue for paid parking (8am–5pm Mon–Fri, free weekends and after 6pm) and green for time-limited or permit-required spots, and numbered spots typically require payment — often via the Passport parking app, which allows time extensions and expiry alerts. City parking decks offer the first two hours free, and park-and-ride lots outside downtown connect to the bus network. Most neighborhoods have free parking; North Hills has free but limited parking (three hours, register via QR code, strictly enforced with fines).
Biking and Scooters
Raleigh is bike-friendly, with expanding bike lanes and miles of greenway trails. Bike-share systems Spin and Lime operate dockless bikes, and both also offer e-scooters. Dockless bikes and scooters should be left in designated parking bays or according to parking laws. BikeRaleigh provides maps of bike lanes, sharrows, greenways, GoRaleigh routes, and preferred routes. Caution is advised: cyclists are frequently hit on roads, and greenways are safer than busy roads.
Walkability
Walking is practical mainly in downtown Raleigh, where the one-way street grid makes travel and access easy. Beyond the downtown core, the city is spread out and car-dependent, so visitors should plan on using buses, ride-hailing, or a car for most trips outside the center.