If you have recently moved to Durham after a divorce, you will certainly want to know what transportation resources the area has to offer. Even if you are just in town for a few days on occasion to exercise visitation rights, or to attend a court hearing, you will be interested in what resources are available to help you get around. Whether you are curious about air travel or ground travel, this article will cover all of your transportation needs around the Bull City.
Travel By Flight
The local airport is not actually within Durham city limits, but rather strategically located in Morrisville, near Durham, Chapel Hill, Research Triangle Park and Raleigh. It is located just off of I-40 and I-540 (Raleigh’s outer beltline) and not far from the Durham Freeway.
If you are a recent divorcee living in Durham, you will find that RDU airport is an excellent resource for your travel needs. Because of the number of large businesses located in Research Triangle Park and the surrounding areas, there are many flights that come and go from RDU every day. Whether you plan to travel frequently for business or you only plan to use the airport occasionally for vacations, you will enjoy the convenience of direct flights to 40 different cities.
RDU supports flights from the following carriers and their regional partners:
AirTran
Air Canada
American Airlines
Delta
Frontier
JetBlue
Southwest Airlines
United
U.S. Airways
Terminal 1 is currently undergoing extensive renovations, however AirTran and Southwest Airlines are still operating out of this terminal.
The newer Terminal, Terminal 2, services the rest of the airlines operating out of RDU. It is quite impressive, has a unique design, functional layout, and houses Raleigh favorites like 42nd Street Oyster Bar and Carolina Ale House.
Parking couldn’t be easier at RDU – There is a parking deck centrally located between the two terminals offering both hourly and daily parking. There are also park-and-ride lots available for long-term parking. The website provides maps to the parking lots and useful airport information.
Once you have landed, you will find that transportation from the airport is easy. Should you prefer to have a taxi take you to your destination in Durham, you will find taxi dispatchers located outside of both terminals. Additionally, if you are staying in some Durham hotels, the hotel might provide transportation from the airport via a shuttle or courtesy car. You can also rent a car at the airport from Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budge, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, or Thrifty car rental companies. Lastly, if none of the transportation resources mentioned here suit your needs, visit the RDU website and there you will find information about private cars, limos, Greyhound busses, and the regional Triangle Transit Bus.
Our last piece of advice is to make sure you confirm your airport transportation in advance. While taxis are plentiful, you will need to make sure your hotel offers a shuttle if you chose that route, or you might need to check the bus schedules to ensure they are running when you need them.
Travel By Train
Traveling by train can offer certain perks; it is less expensive than flying, and sometimes less expensive than driving. Amtrak trains have varying amenities; some have sleeping quarters, wireless Internet, and separate dining cars. Also, if you travel by train you can fill the time by doing work, reading, sleeping, or simply relaxing whereas if you are traveling by car you will spend those hours driving.
While it is less practical to take the train when traveling a long distance, it is an easy way to commute to Charlotte, Greensboro, or other North Carolina cities. For example, a round trip ticket from Durham to Charlotte costs roughly $50, and is about a three-hour ride each way.
If you have children living in another part of the state, for instance Charlotte or Greensboro, you can hop on the train and make it to a baseball game or swim meet with ease. The train can also be a fun adventure for your children; you could board the train in Durham, get off in Raleigh, and walk to Marbles kids museum for a fun activity.
Many types of people are finding travel by train to be more and more appealing in the Triangle. Whether you travel for business, are simply traveling to exercise visitation rights, or want to take your kids on a fun trip to another city, the train can be a great way to travel.
The train may be especially attractive to those who are traveling to Durham to attend a court hearing. If your divorce proceedings are being held in the Durham County Courthouse, the train is very convenient. The train station is only about a half of a mile from the courthouse. If you chose to fly, you must arrange transportation from the airport, and if you drive you must find and pay for parking, so the train may be an excellent alternative.
Durham’s Amtrak station is located downtown, near the American Tobacco campus, the Durham Bulls Stadium, and the Durham Performing Arts Center. The station is a short walk to downtown attractions and several hotels.
Travel By Bus
Greyhound (inter-city bus)
Durham Area Transit Authority (city bus)
Triangle Transit Authority (regional bus)
If you are traveling here from another city, or even out of state, traveling by Greyhound bus may be a viable option for you. The bus tends to be less expensive than air travel, although it takes longer and you will stop at various bus stations on your route. The Greyhound website (listed above) can provide information about bus station locations, prices, and how long you can expect your commute to take. The Greyhound station in Durham is located downtown, near the American Tobacco campus on Pettigrew Street.
The Greyhound station is only a short walk to the Durham County Court House, so this could be a very convenient way travel if you only plan on being in town to appear in court for divorce related proceedings.
The Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA) runs a bus system through the city of Durham. Some fares are free, while others are $1; you can purchase a regional day pass for $4 and there are weekly and monthly pass options as well. A complete list of stations and routes can be found on the website listed above.
The Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) is another bus option for those living in Durham. The TTA provides regional bus and shuttle service for the entire Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area. Rides cost around $2 each way, but more detailed fare information as well as schedules and maps can be found on the TTA website.
Rental Car
You will find that Triangle Rent A Car, Enterprise, and Budget all offer rental cars in Durham. The locations are scattered throughout the city so your best bet is to visit the company of your choice and view a list of locations and plan accordingly.
Taxis and Car Services
While it is certainly easy to arrange to travel by taxi in Durham, it is not as easy as walking out to the street and hailing one. You’ll need to arrange travel by taxi or car service in advance. The following companies are equipped to handle these transportation needs:
Taxis:
- Durham’s Best Cab Company: (919) 680 – 3330
- ABC Cab Company: (919) 682 – 0437
- Durham Taxi Company: (919) 672 – 8448
Private Cars:
- Falcon Ride: (919) 309 – 2700
- White Horse Transportation: (919) 782 – 5893
Purchasing a Car:
After a divorce, you may find yourself in need of purchasing a car. Whether you are looking for that post-divorce shiny new luxury car, or something more practical that accommodates car seats, Durham plenty of resources for purchasing cars. .
Durham’s Auto Mart has plenty of used vehicles to consider, while there are also Toyota, Honda, and Nissan dealerships among others in Durham. Performance Auto Mall in Chapel Hill is only a short drive from Durham and has Acura, BMW, Chevrolet, Porsche, and Subaru dealerships that sell both new and used cars. There are also countless dealerships nearby in Raleigh on Capital Boulevard and at Cary Autopark.
Lastly, many people find that buying a used car from Craigslist can be very convenient and hassle-free. Whatever your vehicle needs may be, chances are you can find it in or near the Bull City.
Special Tips for Those Traveling to Attend Court
You may find yourself needing to travel to Durham just to attend a court hearing or proceeding. Maybe your divorce action is being held in Durham County, or perhaps you are appearing as a witness in someone else’s divorce proceedings. You could simply be attending the hearing to provide emotional support for a friend or loved one. Whatever the reason, we want you to know that it is easy to arrange this type of travel.
First, should you need to stay overnight, there are two hotels that are located within walking distance to the courthouse:
201 Foster Street
Durham, NC 27701isf
(919) 768 – 6000
Distance to Courthouse: 0.5 miles/10 minute walk
807 W. Trinity Avenue
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 687 – 4444
Distance to courthouse: 1.2 miles/24 minute walk
If you need to get to the airport from your downtown hotel, ask the front desk if they provide an airport shuttle. If not, you might consider checking out the bus routes or arranging for a taxi.
