Getting to North Carolina
It only takes approximately eight and a half hours to fly direct from the UK to either of North Carolina’s international airports: Raleigh Durham International Airport or Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Both American Airlines and US Airlines offer daily flights, American Airlines from Heathrow and US Airways from Gatwick.
Charlotte is a major hub for US Airways, so there’s no shortage of connecting flights to elsewhere in North Carolina or anywhere in the USA. Piedmont Triad International Airport serves Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point and is easily accessible from the main gateways across the states. An alternative route to Asheville up in the middle of the mountains is to fly to Atlanta, Georgia, and then drive the three hours from there. If you are travelling down the East Coast, Washington DC is just 4 hours drive from the Outer Banks coast.
Raleigh Durham International Airport is just ten miles from midtown, a journey of about half an hour, which costs approximately $30.00 by taxi.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is only seven miles from midtown, a journey of about 20 minutes, which costs just $1.50 by public bus, $8 on the shuttle bus and $27.50 by taxi. On top of the fare, the taxi driver might reasonably expect a tip of between 15 and 20 per cent.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Getting Around North Carolina
Certainly the most popular way of getting around North Carolina is by car. There’s a comprehensive road network (North Carolina has more paved roads than any other state!) and driving is relatively straightforward on the comparatively uncrowded highways. For one thing, you don’t need any special permit as your UK driving license is valid. Remember that all children under 12 must wear a seatbelt and to put your lights on at the same time as your windscreen wipers when it rains. And don’t forget to drive on the right-hand side of the road.
For a spectacular drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway will take you to elevations above 6,000 feet and “fly” you across the mountain tops of North Carolina for 250 miles.
Travelling by train is relaxing and Amtrak provides daily train services along six routes, which run to major towns and cities in North Carolina. And if you’ve a taste for nostalgia and the golden age of steam, why not hop aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Dillsboro or Bryson City, or try the Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock.
Buses are cheap and provide a pretty good service in the cities. Greyhound coaches operate between the more populated areas.
A number of ferry services can be found along the coast and are the only option when trying to reach some of the remote islands of the Outer Banks.
