The 3 Closest Airports to topsail

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The 3 Closest Airports to Topsail

Topsail Island, a beautiful 26-mile barrier island off the coast of North Carolina, is a popular destination known for its serene beaches and family-friendly atmosphere. If you’re planning a trip and flying in, knowing the nearest airports can help you choose the best option based on flight availability, cost, and driving distance. Here’s a look at the three airports closest to Topsail Island.

Of the options listed below, Wilmington International Airport (ILM) and Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ) are geographically the closest, offering the shortest drives to the island. However, Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is the closest major airport, providing significantly more flight options, though it requires a longer drive.

  1. Wilmington International Airport (ILM)

    Wilmington International (ILM) is often the most convenient option for travelers heading to the southern or central parts of Topsail Island, like Surf City or Topsail Beach. It’s a smaller, easy-to-navigate airport with a decent selection of flights, primarily connecting through major hubs.

    • Distance to Topsail: Approximately 30-35 miles (about a 45-55 minute drive, depending on traffic and specific island location).

    • Address: 1740 Airport Blvd, Wilmington, NC 28405

    • Pros: Very short drive to Topsail, easy airport experience, good rental car availability.

    • Cons: Fewer direct flight options compared to major hubs, potentially higher ticket prices.

    • Airlines: Served by American, Delta, United, Avelo, and Sun Country (check official website for current carriers).

    • Car Rental: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National/Alamo available on-site.

    • Official Website: flyilm.com

    • Phone: (910) 341-4125

    • Rating: Typically receives good ratings for ease of use (e.g., ~4.4 stars on Google Maps).

  2. Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ)

    Located near Jacksonville, NC, Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ) is geographically very close, particularly convenient if you’re staying on the northern end of Topsail Island (North Topsail Beach). It’s a small regional airport, making it very quick to get in and out of.

    • Distance to Topsail: Approximately 35-40 miles (about a 45-60 minute drive, depending on traffic and specific island location, especially convenient for North Topsail).

    • Address: 264 Albert J Ellis Airport Rd, Richlands, NC 28574

    • Pros: Very short drive to Topsail (especially North Topsail), extremely easy and fast airport navigation.

    • Cons: Very limited airline and flight options (primarily commuter flights to hubs like Charlotte and Atlanta), often requires connections.

    • Airlines: Primarily served by American Eagle (to Charlotte) and Delta Connection (to Atlanta) (verify on official site).

    • Car Rental: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National/Alamo available on-site.

    • Official Website: flyoaj.com

    • Phone: (910) 324-1100

    • Rating: Generally well-rated for its simplicity and convenience (e.g., ~4.5 stars on Google Maps).

  3. Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)

    Raleigh-Durham (RDU) is the largest and busiest airport in the region, serving the Research Triangle area. While significantly farther away than ILM or OAJ, it offers the widest selection of airlines, destinations (including many direct flights), and potentially more competitive fares.

    • Distance to Topsail: Approximately 135-145 miles (about a 2 hour 15 minute to 2 hour 45 minute drive, depending heavily on traffic leaving the RDU area).

    • Address: 2400 John Brantley Blvd, Morrisville, NC 27560

    • Pros: Major international airport, numerous airlines and direct flight options, often better fare availability.

    • Cons: Much longer drive to Topsail Island, larger and busier airport experience.

    • Airlines: Serves all major US carriers (American, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, Spirit, Frontier, etc.) and several international airlines.

    • Car Rental: All major rental companies are available (Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Alamo, Sixt, Payless, etc.).

    • Official Website: rdu.com

    • Phone: (919) 840-2123

    • Rating: Generally good ratings for a major airport, factoring in amenities and flight options (e.g., ~4.3 stars on Google Maps).

Conclusion

The physically closest airports to Topsail Island are Wilmington (ILM) and Albert J. Ellis (OAJ), both offering drive times under an hour. ILM is slightly closer to the southern/central parts of the island, while OAJ can be more convenient for North Topsail Beach. Your choice between these two might depend on flight availability and price from your origin city.

However, the closest major airport is Raleigh-Durham (RDU). If you prioritize more flight options, direct routes, or potentially lower airfare, RDU is often the best choice, despite the significantly longer drive (over two hours) to reach the coast.

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