Raleigh Durham Airport, Taxis, Shuttles and Hotels
Raleigh-Durham AIRPORT otherwise known as RDU
You will want to book your tickets to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, otherwise known as RDU. Duke is roughly a 20 minute drive from the airport. There is now a wonderful new Super Shuttle Service from RDU airport to Duke University/Medical Center and the surrounding area. You can make a reservation on line prior to your arrival to Duke (provided you have a credit card). There will also be taxi cabs waiting outside each terminal of the airport.
HOTELS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE TO THE UNIVERSITY & MEDICAL CENTER
Unfortunately the hotels within walking distance to the campus are on the expensive side, especially for students. There is no youth hostel in Durham so cheap hostels/hotels are really not an option. If you cannot stay your first week with someone from your department or another student, then you will have to choose from the hotels below. We have listed several hotels not within walking distance but do have a shuttle to Duke each day. These hotels are more reasonable.
The Brookwood Inn
2306 Elba Street, Durham NC 27705
Tel: 919.286.3111
Fax: 919.286.5115
This is the closest hotel to the Medical Center. Hotel has washer/dryers and a so-so restaurant. The Brookwood Inn has a hotel shuttle van that will take you to Medical Center or within a three mile radius (Northgate Mall) of campus.
Millennium Hotel
2800 Campus Walk Avenue, Durham NC 27705
Tel: 919.383.8575
Email: durham@mhrmail.com
The Millennium hotel has a swimming pool, nice restaurant, airport pick-up (for a fee), free shuttle van to Duke and nearby shopping center. Good place to stay if you can afford it. Click here to book online for Duke rate.
University Inn
502 Elf St, Durham NC 27705
Tel: 919.286.4421/800-313-3585. The University Inn is located next to the Brookwood Inn, one block to Duke Hospital. All rooms have a microwave and refrigerator, some with sinks and kitchen area. Click here for more information.
Duke Tower All Condominium Hotel
807 West Trinity Ave
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 687-4444
This is the closest hotel/furnished apartment to Duke East Campus. Information: Fully furnished condo/hotel with full kitchen, weekly housekeeping, free internet/WiFi, local phone and cable TV. Pets permitted for a fee. $55/night for stays of more than 60 nights, $70 for stays of more than 28 days. $80 for stays of 1-13 days. Tax 12.5%; over 90 days stay, tax is refunded. Breakfast at the Historic Tower Café. Large outdoor swimming pool. Bicycle rentals. Walking distance to East Campus. Free 24-hour shuttle to East Campus, West Campus and Medical Center.
The Washington-Duke Inn & Golf Club
Durham, NC 27705
Tel..919.490-0999
The Washington-Duke Inn is a four-star hotel with a four-star restaurant, smaller restaurants/bars, golf course, swimming pool and many, many amenities.
R. David Thomas Executive Conference Center
One Science Drive, Durham NC 27708
This hotel is actually located on the Duke Campus, next to the Fuqua School of Business. With more than 100 rooms and ample meeting space, the center provides comfortable guest rooms for visitors. Room rates range from $99 - $119 per night, breakfast included. An executive chef offers fresh, locally grown meals served in an upscale bufet, prices from $10 t0 $35. For more informaion and to reserve a room, call 919.660.6400 or go to: meetingsatduke.com
HOTELS WITH A SHUTTLE TO DUKE DURING THE WEEK
Homestead Studio Suites
1920 Ivy Creek Boulevard, Durham, NC 27707
Tel. 919.402.1700
Furnished Studios with fully equipped kitchens. Within walking distance to a grocery store. T There is a free shuttle van which goes to Duke each weekday morning and brings you back each weekday afternoon. In the evenings or on weekends, you can take the city bus or a taxi. If booking online, use the word DUKE as the company code.
NOTE: We cannot recommend Extended Stay America, based on past international scholars' comments.
For other ideas, take a look at our handouts Hotels Near Duke and Furnished Temporary Places to Stay.
TAKING A TAXI
There are times when you will need to take a taxi. Because there are not very many taxis in Durham, you need to CALL for a taxi. The taxi fare is calculated by a meter, starting with an initial fee of $3.60 and then $2.00 per mile after that. Airport taxis/shuttles generally charge a set fare from Durham to the airport, ranging from $25-45 one way. Whenever you use a taxi or shuttle, you tip the driver 10-15% of the cost of the fare. We also recommend taking a taxi with a friend so you can split the fare. Taxis below have been recommended by other Duke students/scholars. If you are transporting furniture, do tell driver when you call, not after he arrives.
NOTE: RDU = Raleigh/Durham International Airport