Travel into RDU has just gotten better!

By the time you arrive for NGS 2009, Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) will have unveiled Terminal 2 -- a brand new state-of-the-art terminal!

If your plans including flying in on Air Canada, American, Delta, United and select regional carriers, you will get to experience this new terminal first hand!

Some features of the new terminal include:

+ 3 times larger than the old Terminal C.
+ 3 ticketing islands -- each feature 20 traditional ticket counters.
+ 60+ electronic kiosks will be located throughout the airline check-in area.
+ will accommodate up to 11.4 million passengers each year.
+ each concourse features 2 moving walkways.
+ security checkpoint will accommodate up to 10 security checkpoint lanes.
+ baggage claim area will feature 5 baggage carousels.
+ fully automated in line baggage screening system will screen all checked luggage as required by TSA.

What this means for your visit to Raleigh is that all aspects of your arrival and departure should go smoother and faster and may even be pleasurable (we hear that 15% of the waiting seats will have power outlets and USB ports for the tech savvy traveler!).

This article by the N&O gives a nice overview of the new terminal or check out the airport's own web-page to learn more about this exciting new airport experience!

Limo Service to Area Hotels

If you will not be renting a car and will need to get from the airport to your hotel, consider this special rate offered to NGS 2009 Conference attendees by Elite Coach -- the company who will be supplying the buses for the planned research excursions!

The rate from the airport to any hotel in the triangle area will be $45. This is a 40% discount off their regular rates! Additionally, you will be riding in a new Lincoln town car with a professionally trained chauffeur.

You just need to call or email their office with your individual information -- name, phone number, email address, & credit card -- to reserve their transportation to and from the hotel. If you call or email this information, you will receive an email confirmation. The contact phone number 24 hours a day is 1-800-569-9484 or email for reservations is res@elitecoach.net.

To learn more about them, visit their web-site, Elite Coach

[Note: there is a taxi stand at the airport (RDU) as an alternative]

Getting There is Easy

Raleigh is conveniently located on I-40 in eastern North Carolina, with easy access from I-95, I-64, and I-85. If you choose to travel by car, Raleigh is just four-and-a-half hours from Charleston, SC; three hours from Richmond, VA; and six-and-a-half hours from Atlanta.

Parking

There is a 900-space parking garage attached to the Raleigh Convention Center and more than 4,000 parking spaces within a 2-block radius of the center.

By Air

Raleigh is served by the Raleigh-Durham International Airport which is a 20-minute drive from downtown. Ten major airlines and nineteen regional carriers provide service to more than 40 desginations.

By Train

Amtrak offers service to Raleigh from Richmond, Washington, D. C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Miami, Tampa, Savannah, and Charleston. The Raleigh Station, located at 320 West Cabarrus Street, is two blocks from the convention center.