Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our St. Louis Lambert Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Gate C17 – This airport was the best sleeping experience at an airport ever. I should stay at airports like this instead of hotels. – Craig Apple Pie
STL Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
What to Expect
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (code: STL) consists of two terminals (1 and 2) with a total of five concourses (A-E). Terminal 1 has been completely renovated and hosts Concourses A-D. Terminal 2 hosts concourse E and serves all international flights. The terminals are connected by continuous shuttle bus service. A wide variety of eateries and shops are dispersed throughout all of the concourses, along with a few on the landside. Almost all eateries and shops close during the overnight hours, so plan accordingly. WiFi is available and outlets for charging mobile devices can be found. Economy class passengers can pay to use one of the lounges found in both terminals. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and access information.
Sleeping in St. Louis Airport
Security checkpoints close for the night at different hours depending upon the concourse. We were unable to determine whether airport policy restricts all passengers to the landside areas after they close, but some travellers have reported sleeping on the airside. Reviewers report that armrest-free seating can be found in various areas throughout the airport, predominantly in Terminal 2 and Concourse C. If you plan to sleep in this airport, reviewers suggest bringing a sleeping bag, travel blanket or extra layers as the airport is said to be exceptionally cold. Also consider eyeshades as the bright lights can be problematic for a decent sleep. For uninterrupted sleep, albeit for a price, there are hotels near the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information. For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our St. Louis Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
- American Airlines Admirals Club – Location: Airside, between Concourses B and C. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door with proof of American Airlines ticket • Lounge membership programs.
- Wingtips Lounge – Location: Terminal 2, Airside. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.
Military Lounges
- USO Lounge – The USO offers a lounge that is free of charge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Terminal 1, Landside, lower level, across from baggage carousel M6 • Terminal 2, Landside, baggage claim area, near exit 11.
Related Pages: St. Louis Airport Lounges
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near St. Louis Airport that provide free airport shuttles. For airport pick-up, use the courtesy phones near baggage claim.
- Pear Tree Inn St. Louis Airport » Check Rates
- Hampton Inn St. Louis Airport » Check Rates
- Drury Inn Airport St. Louis » Check Rates
- Marriott St. Louis Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in St. Louis, search deals and read traveller reviews.
Airport WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Lambert-St. Louis Airport for 60 minutes. Connect to the Boingo network. Additional time costs $7.95 per day.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
Art in the Airport – A variety of permanent and rotating art exhibits are on display throughout the airport.
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Airside, Concourse A, Gate A10 • Terminal 1, Landside, Mid-Level Stage • Airside, Concourse C, Gate C15 • Terminal 2, Airside, Gate E20 • Terminal 2, Landside, near Entrance Doors 1 and 2.
Baby Care Facilities – Family Assist rooms are located near restrooms throughout the terminals and concourses.
Baggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage carts are available in the Terminal 1 departures area and the baggage claim areas of Terminals 1 and 2. Rate: $6 per cart.
Banking Services – A full-service US Bank provides full-service banking and currency exchange services. Location: Terminal 1, Lower Level, near Concourse C security checkpoint. Hours: 8:00AM – 5:00PM (Mon-Fri).
Chapel – Collect your thoughts in a peaceful interfaith environment. Due to covid-19, worship services are temporarily suspended. However, the chapel remains open for prayers and contemplation. Location: Terminal 1, Landside, near exit door 11 • Terminal 2, Airside, near E-40.
Children’s Play Area – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to the children’s play area. The St. Louis International Play Port, a transportation-themed exhibit, is located near gate C3. The exhibit is organized by The Magic House St. Louis Children’s Museum.
Currency Exchange – Available at US Bank. [ See Banking Services above ]
Duty Free & Shopping – At the time of this update, there are no duty free shops at St. Louis airport. There are a few shops located both airside and landside. Hudson News has 7 locations with many of them open from 4:30AM – the last flight.
Food & Drinks – Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. The airport offers over 32 restaurants with many open as early as 4:30AM. Vending Machines can be found throughout the airport.
Information Desk – If you have any questions, visit the airport’s information desks for assistance. Location: Terminal 1, Baggage Claim (between carousels 4 and 5). Hours: 7:00AM – 11:00PM. Terminal 2 passengers can reach the Information Booth by using the courtesy phones located at Gate E10 or in the baggage claim area across from Southwest Airlines Baggage Office.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.
Mobile Charging – Need to recharge your mobile devices? Readers have let us know that mobile charging stations are available throughout the gate departure area.
Postal Services – A mailbox is available in Concourse A, across from the John Wayne Conference room.
Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers – Not available.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Keep in mind that TSA, airline check-in and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the public area of the terminal (landside) you will not be able to get through to the secure area of the terminal (airside) until the morning.
Airlines
St. Louis airport is served by the following airlines: Air Canada • Air Choice One • Alaska Airlines • American Airlines • Cape Air • Charter Flights • Delta Air Lines • Frontier Airlines • Lufthansa • Southwest Airlines • Spirit • United.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Bus
All bus traffic for the airport is directed through BusPort, a designated facility on airport property, just south of Terminal 1. Passengers can travel between BusPort and the airport terminals using the airport’s free, 24 hour inter-terminal shuttle service.
Car Rentals
All rental car pick-up and drop-off happens offsite. A free, 24 hour shuttle is available. The T1 pick-up is outside exit 17 and from T2 head to exit 12.
Car rental desks are located on the lower level in terminal 1, between doors 12 and 17. Car rental agencies include: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Thrifty.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Best Western Plus St. Louis Airport Hotel • Crowne Plaza St. Louis Airport • Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Airport • DoubleTree by Hilton St. Louis Airport • Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Louis Airport • Hampton Inn St. Louis/Westport • Hampton Inn St. Louis-Airport • Hilton Garden Inn St Louis Airport • Hilton St. Louis Airport • Marriott St. Louis Airport • Pear Tree Inn St. Louis Airport • Quality Inn Airport St. Louis • Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel.
Some of these hotels can be contacted by using the direct-dial courtesy phones at the Hotel/Motel Phone Centers located on the lower level of each terminal. Hotel shuttles pick up passengers at Exit Door 18 (Terminal 1, lower level) and Exit Door 12 (Terminal 2, lower level).
See also Airport Hotels above.
Inter-Terminal Shuttles
St. Louis Lambert Airport operates a free shuttle service that runs a circuit between the two terminals every 8 – 15 minutes, stopping at the BusPort in between terminal stops. Shuttles pick up at Exit Door 12 of either terminal.
Light Rail
MetroLink light rail RED line links the airport to downtown St. Louis. The MetroLink is accessible from Terminal 1 (go to Exit Door 1 on the upper level) and from Terminal 2 (via any of the levels of the parking garage). For route maps, schedules and fares, visit the Metro Transit St. Louis website.
Shuttles
GO BEST Express offers shared-ride, door-to-door airport shuttle service between the airport and a variety of destinations. Departures from the airport are available every 30 minutes from 6:00AM – 10:00PM, and service to the airport starts as early as 4:00AM.
Taxis
Taxis are available outside of Terminal 1, near Exit Door 14, and Terminal 2, near Exit Door 12. All taxis are metered, a $4.00 Airport Pick-up Fee applies to each taxi and reservations are not required.
Last updated: 2024-01-31
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.