According to Google Maps, it’s about a 20-minute car ride. That’s probably an expensive taxi ride, but if you can easily afford it and are stressed out about taking the bus, it might be your best option.

My choice would be to take public transit, presumably the bus. If you have the address of the place you’re going to in Durham, pop it into Google Maps, and find Directions to that address from the airport. The default is for directions by car, but you can click on the bus icon at the top and get directions via public transit. There should be a range of options; some will involve walking a bit.

As long as you map out your route well in advance, you should be fine, even if this is your first time using this type of transit. Use Street View to see what your connections will look like when you get there. And don’t forget you can ask people questions if you’re unsure of finding your way. And, presumably, you can use your phone to look things up while you’re in transit.

Also, don’t forget to find out how to pay the driver – will you need exact change? Can you get tickets or a travel pass at the airport? Looks like they have some options for short-term passes.

Best way when you are new to an area, and most cost competitive, is to take a shuttle.

There is “Skyline Shuttle,”: you can reserve a seat on line. Same with SuperShuttle, which I have used in lots of different cities.

Last year I took a Super Shuttle from Los Angeles Airport to a hotel in Palos Verdes, a good twenty mile ride. Only cost $25, would have been $75 easy with a cab, and the cab would have been no faster.

Do you know people where you are going? have you asked them what the best way to travel between Raleigh and Durham is?

RDU the airport is in both Durham and Raleigh.
Round trip tickets are usually cheaper.
Check out the shuttles but they usually have a defined drop off which is a hotel or motel.

Depending on what you’re doing in Durham – such as staying at a hotel, for example – the place might have a courtesy limo / van / bus that would meet you at baggage control at the airport when you call from a courtesy phone there.

I don’t know the Raleigh-Durham Airport, but here at Bradley in Connecticut (which is frequently called the Hartford – Springfield Airport because of its midway position between both cities) a lot of the local hotels, primarily in Windsor and Windsor Locks, and all of the car rental places (of course) have free shuttles to their own businesses. If you’re a customer with a reservation, then they’ll be looking for you.

Oh, and on the round-trip ticket thing: Yes, round trip tickets are generally cheaper, PLUS there is an added bonus that you won’t (generally) receive extra scrutiny from the TSA agents on your trip. They seem to regard every one way ticket holder as a cheap terrorist.

Thanks everyone. I’ve got some direction now as to what to do or look into. No I don’t know anyone in that area. I’m going there for an astrology conference but I also want to move there so I want to check out and explore the area a bit.

Does anyone know of any places in that area that would allow a 23yr old to rent a car? I would love to take a couple extra days and go explore other places like Asheville and Charlotte.

Most big rental car companies rent to 21–24 year olds, but you will have to check on the surcharges for that age group.

@SamiCYa I prefer renting with Enterprise, for their service and pricing. Looks like they have locations in Durham, but then, probably any major car rental company will. As @RocketGuy said, age shouldn’t be an issue, though cost may vary.

Is “Rent a Wreck” still operational? As I recall, they never actually rented “wrecks”, but they didn’t have brand-new cars like most other rental operators, so they catered to a different market than typical business users. Worth checking out.

Hertz use to rent to an under 25 year old, yes there is a surcharge. Check with Hertz, I think they limit you to full size and smaller. No prestige or luxury vehicles. If you own a car and have insurance you won’t need to buy their insurance package. Most require a major credit card not a debt card.

@SamiCYa – talk to the conference organizers about transportation from the airport to the conference if the place you are staying doesn’t have arrangements already set up.

Most rental companies rent to people 21 – 24 with a credit card, but there is generally a surcharge to the regular rate.