Getting There
Chapel Hill is served by Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), located approximately 17-19 miles from downtown and UNC's campus. By car or rideshare, the trip takes roughly 20-25 minutes; Uber averages around $38 for the ride. Shuttle services such as My RDU Airport Shuttle also offer flat-rate trips between RDU and Chapel Hill for individuals and groups.
Getting Around
Chapel Hill is a walkable college town, and the Franklin Street corridor and UNC campus are very navigable on foot, but a car or rideshare is helpful for reaching venues and hotels outside the immediate downtown core. Uber and Lyft both operate reliably in the area. The GoTriangle regional bus network connects Chapel Hill to Durham and RDU, though routes can be slow for game-day travel.
Where to Stay
The Franklin Street and downtown Chapel Hill area is the best base for visiting fans, putting you within walking distance of bars, restaurants, and the UNC campus. The Graduate Hotel and AC Hotel Chapel Hill Downtown are both on or just off Franklin Street, offering college-town atmosphere at mid-to-upper price points. Budget-friendly chain options are available along US-15-501 and in the Durham Southpoint area for roughly $90-$180 per night, while on-campus landmark lodging like The Carolina Inn (a Destination by Hyatt) runs significantly higher. Book well in advance for home football Saturdays, as Chapel Hill is a small town with limited inventory.
Sports Fan Notes
Chapel Hill is one of college sports' most storied environments, home to a UNC Tar Heels program with deep traditions in football and a legendary basketball pedigree. The UNC-Duke rivalry is one of the fiercest in all of American sport, and a trip to the Research Triangle puts you within 10 miles of Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, making this a prime destination for fans who want to double up on college athletics experiences. Beyond football and basketball, UNC fields competitive NCAA programs in baseball at Boshamer Stadium, lacrosse, field hockey, and more, so there is almost always a game happening on campus. The Carolina Basketball Museum on campus is a must-visit for any sports fan, offering a deep dive into Tar Heel hoops history.
Venues in Chapel Hill
Carmichael Arena
Dean E. Smith Center
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from RDU to downtown Chapel Hill?
The fastest option is a rideshare or taxi, which takes about 20-25 minutes and costs roughly $38-$50 via Uber or taxi. If you prefer transit, take the GoTriangle bus from RDU Terminal 2 to the Regional Transit Center, then transfer to the Route 800 bus to Chapel Hill; the full trip takes about 1 hour 20 minutes and costs under $3. My RDU Airport Shuttle also offers flat-rate shared shuttle service between the airport and Chapel Hill.
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Chapel Hill for a sports trip?
Stay on or near Franklin Street in downtown Chapel Hill. It is the social hub of the city, lined with bars and restaurants that fill up on game days, and it puts you within easy walking distance of the UNC campus. Hotels like the Graduate Hotel and AC Hotel Chapel Hill Downtown are both within a block of Franklin Street and offer the most convenient access to the game-day atmosphere.
Which sports teams play in Chapel Hill?
Chapel Hill is home to the North Carolina Tar Heels, the NCAA athletic programs of the University of North Carolina. For traveling sports fans, the primary football venue is Kenan Memorial Stadium. UNC also fields programs in basketball (Dean E. Smith Center), baseball (Boshamer Stadium), and numerous other NCAA sports, making the UNC campus a multi-sport destination throughout the academic year.
Is Chapel Hill a World Cup 2026 host city?
No, Chapel Hill is not hosting any 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. The nearest host city is Atlanta, Georgia, where games will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Sports cities near Chapel Hill
Close enough to pair with a Chapel Hill trip — or to catch a game on the drive in.