A random access method and an apparatus include performing listen before talk (LBT) on a first carrier, detecting a first signal on the first carrier when the terminal determines, through the LBT, that the first carrier is in a busy state, where the first carrier includes an unlicensed carrier, the first signal includes a first preamble signal or indication information, and the indication information indicates that the first carrier sends the first preamble signal, and sending a second preamble signal on the first carrier to attempt to access a base station when the terminal detects the first preamble signal or the indication information.