Is a 40 min layover in Raleigh-durham long enough?
RDU · Raleigh Durham International · Raleigh-durham, United States
It Depends
40 minutes can work for a same-terminal, gate-to-gate domestic connection with no lines, but it's tight.
Quick Stats
2
20m
15m
—
Minimum Connection Times
45min
✗60min
✗90min
✗75min
✗AD PLACEMENT — CONTEXTUAL
Tips for 40 min Connections
Check whether your connection stays within Terminal 2 (where most major carriers operate) since that avoids the shuttle and re-screening entirely.
If your connection spans Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, budget extra time for the AirLink shuttle plus a fresh security line.
American Airlines, Delta, United, and JetBlue mainline operations are concentrated in Terminal 2, while Southwest and Allegiant primarily use Terminal 1.
International arrivals clear Customs and Border Protection in Terminal 2 before any onward connection, so build in extra buffer on inbound international flights.
TSA PreCheck lanes exist in both terminals and can meaningfully cut wait times during the morning and evening peaks.
Busyness — Connection Risk
12a6a12p6p12a
Low risk
Moderate
High risk
Tight connections are safer outside peak hours. Morning rush (6–9a), midday (11a–2p), and evening (4–8p) are highest risk.
Getting Between Concourses
The free RDU AirLink shuttle bus connects Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 landside, with a ride time of about 8-10 minutes plus waiting, since the terminals are not connected airside. Because the shuttle operates outside security, any connection between terminals requires exiting one checkpoint and clearing security again at the other, which is the main pinch point for tight connections. Within a single terminal, gates are reachable on foot in 5-10 minutes.
Is 40 minutes enough for a layover at RDU?
40 minutes can work for a same-terminal, gate-to-gate domestic connection with no lines, but it's tight.
Other Layover Durations at RDU
AD PLACEMENT — BEFORE FOOTER