The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for random access in a relay system, comprising: a Relay Node (RN) determines whether a random access is triggered, if the random access is triggered, the RN performs the random access by using a non-backhaul link subframe. In the present invention, if the random access of the RN working in a base station state is triggered, the RN can perform the random access by using partial or all of non-backhaul link subframe resources, that is, the RN can perform the random access by using the subframes of the Uu interface. The method can reduce the time delay for performing the random access of the RN working as a base station and improve the user experience.