RDU Information
 

I just moved to RDU. Was wondering if anyone could tell me:

a) Best way(s) to get to the airport; i.e. are there any shared ride shuttles, and what are the lowest-cost options for parking?
b) If you're picking someone up at the airport, what are the best options? Is there a cell phone lot? If you want to park close to the terminal, what options are there?

I live in Cary. I'm only about 4 miles from the airport as the crow flies, but I'm too heavy to catch a ride on a crow. It's about a $25 cab ride from my house.

Welcome to Cary. Check out http://rdu.com for plenty of good info.

If you live near one of the few bus stops, Triangle Transit is probably the lowest cost method to and from the airport. Plug in your address here to get routing http://www.gotriangle.org/
The satellite parking lots on the airport property are $6/day. You can save two bits off-site near the Angus Barn using this coupon http://www.preflightparking.com/Coupon.aspx?LocCD=RDU
If you're expensing the parking fee pay the $10/day to park in the garage right at the terminals.

For picking up someone I use phone or internet to confirm estimated arrival time with the carrier, drive straight to HOURLY parking and walk into T1 or T2. Costs $1/hr. There is no cell phone lot, but to avoid paying you can hang out in Hilton parking lot off Aviation Dr. entrance, or in Chop House/hotel lot off Airport Dr. entrance and pick them up curbside.

There is a cell phone waiting lot at RDU, it just doesn't have good (any?) signs. You have to follow signs to rental car return to get there. See this link for directions. I just do what suthurn said, though, and park in hourly parking. First 15 minutes are free, after that $1/hr. If you get back to the ExitExpress kiosk within 15 minutes of pulling your ticket, it'll punch it for you with zero fee, then you have another 15 minutes to actually exit the parking area.