RDU
Raleigh-Durham Intl
Raleigh, NC · 4 relief areas · Rank #35
Verified 0d ago3 · Caution
Warning

Pets must be crated at all times inside the terminals (per RDU's own page). Terminals 1 and 2 are physically separate buildings — switching terminals requires a 5-10 min walk via the terminal garage walkway or shuttle bus, and re-clearing security. As of July 2026, RDU's own FAQ, accessibility, and travel-tips pages make ZERO mention of Gate A7/C7 indoor SARAs (planned or open), and no RDU newsroom item announces one opening — treat the whole A7/C7 indoor-SARA project as unconfirmed and possibly stalled, not just 'not yet confirmed.' Call ahead or check rdu.com before relying on it.

2 pre-security outdoor SARAs, one curbside at each of Terminal 1 (between Baggage Claim 3 and taxi staging) and Terminal 2 (lower-level baggage claim, just north of taxi staging). Post-security SARAs were announced in early 2025 for installation by summer 2025 at Gate A7 (Terminal 1, next to Starbucks) and Gate C7 (Terminal 2, near getREEF) — the Terminal 2 SARA larger than the Terminal 1 one — but the airport's own current FAQ still lists only outdoor relief areas, so post-security status is unconfirmed.

Relief areas · sorted by cat-safety
Gate A7 Indoor SARA (planned)
Terminal 1, next to Starbucks at Gate A7
3
post-securityWalled room

Announced for summer 2025 installation. Smaller of the two new indoor SARAs (Terminal 1 is smaller). NOT confirmed open by airport's current materials — call RDU at (919) 840-2123 before relying on it.

Gate C7 Indoor SARA (planned)
Terminal 2, Concourse C, near gate C7 and the getREEF Virtual Food Hall
3
post-securityWalled room

Announced for summer 2025 installation, sized for 2 people with pets simultaneously (over 2x larger than the A7 SARA). NOT confirmed open by airport's current materials — call RDU at (919) 840-2123 before relying on it.

Terminal 1 Curbside SARA
Outside Terminal 1, curbside, between Baggage Claim 3 and the taxi staging area
2
pre-securityOpen area

Curbside outdoor area with waste bags and receptacles. Reviews note minimal green space — surface is largely dirt or concrete. Well-lit.

Terminal 2 Curbside SARA
Outside Terminal 2, lower level baggage claim, just north of the taxi staging area
2
pre-securityOpen area

Same setup as Terminal 1 — curbside outdoor with waste bags. Well-lit.

Cat plan
Primary: Gate A7 Indoor SARA (planned)

Terminal 1, next to Starbucks at Gate A7 · Announced for summer 2025 installation. Smaller of the two new indoor SARAs (Terminal 1 is smaller). NOT confirmed open by airport's current materials — call RDU at (919) 840-2123 before relying on it.

3 · Caution
Avoid at RDU

Terminal 1 Curbside SARA · Terminal 2 Curbside SARA

Plan B: relieve before security

Given this airport's policy, use the pre-security area or relieve at home/hotel before arrival.