Albuquerque Airport Guide
Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Albuquerque 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.
Around midnight, the TSA made me leave the secure area, although they were polite and apologetic about it. -a traveller
ABQ 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 Albuquerque International Sunport Airport.
What to Expect
Albuquerque Airport (code: ABQ) is a midsize, three-level international airport with one concourse split into Concourse A (Gates A1-A4, primarily Southwest) and Concourse B (Gates B1-B10, other airlines). A small variety of eateries and shops are on the airside, with limited options on the landside. The airport offers free WiFi, though its service has been described as spotty, and charging areas can be found in both concourses. The airport does not host any private lounges.
Sleeping in Albuquerque Airport
Plenty of travellers have spent the night at Albuquerque Airport and have been able to sleep here. It’s not reported as the most comfortable night’s sleep, but staff have been accommodating in the past, and travellers have found a few nooks where, with a bit of luck, you may get a bit of rest.
Locations & Seating
Unfortunately, most of the seating throughout the terminal has armrests, but some armrest-free seating options are available. If you spot one, grab it, as they tend to be very popular with airport sleepers. According to some reviews, if you are airside and your flight isn’t until early morning, you may be asked to go back landside and re-clear security closer to your flight time.
Landside
- The baggage claim (corner near the exit), check-in, and greetings areas are reportedly good sleeping spots.
- There are three long benches in the foyer of the Tia Juanita Mexican restaurant right before security.
- There are also carpeted floors, which is a more comfortable option than a chair with annoying armrests. If you opt to sleep on the floor, bring a travel or sleep mat to make it a bit warmer and don’t forget your extra layers!
- A traveller has reported that all seating has cushions, making it a tad comfier. One traveller reports the cushions are detachable and someone used them to pad the floor and make their lie-down comfier – this is a good option!
Airside
- Unfortunately, most benches here have armrests. However, a few long, cushioned benches with tables nearby have been spotted next to gate A8.
For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Read traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Albuquerque Airport Guide.
Airport Hours
Albuquerque International Sunport is open 24 hours.
TSA security checkpoint hours are approximately 3:30 AM – 11:45 PM, though these may vary slightly by day. After the final departing flight, airside areas close, and any remaining passengers are directed to landside/public areas for overnight stays.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist; however, informal spots may exist around the terminal. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
Cots are not offered to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Albuquerque Airport:
Hotel at the Airport
Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel
Located opposite the airport terminal.
Hotels near the airport with shuttles
Best Western Inn Hotel & Suites
(0.4 mi / 0.6 km) Mid-range
Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque Airport
(0.4 mi / 0.6 km) Mid-range
Towneplace Suites
(0.6 km / 1.0 km) Mid-range
Fairfield Inn & Suites
(0.6 km / 1.0 km) Mid-range
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham
(0.6 km / 1.0 km) Budget
Courtyard by Marriott Albuquerque Airport
0.7 mi / 1.1 km) Mid-range
Garner Hotel Albuquerque Airport by IHG
(0.7 mi / 1.1 km) Mid-range
Home2 Suites by Hilton
(0.7 mi / 1.1 km) Mid-range
Airport Lounges
There are no pay-per-use lounges at this time. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the terminal operate with varying schedules. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options. Some of the food options include Black Mesa Coffee / Bakery • Comida Buena • Keva Juice • Panda Express • Rio Grande Brew Pub • Route 66 Lounge • La Trattoria • Schlotzky’s (Temporarily closed) • Watch! Sports Lounge & Grill.
Drinking Water
Free drinking fountains and bottle refill stations are available both landside and airside.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Luggage storage services and lockers are not available. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
Charging availability appears inconsistent. Some travellers report access to electrical outlets, while others have difficulty finding usable plugs. Portable battery packs are recommended, especially for overnight stays. To update this information, click here to update our guide.
Showers
Public shower facilities are not available. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Albuquerque Sunport Airport. Connect to the “sunport” network.
More Airport Information
Airport Tours – Group tours highlighting airport operations and history are offered. Availability and frequency are unclear.
Art in the Airport – A permanent art collection is displayed throughout the terminal and on airport grounds.
ATMs / Cash Machines – A permanent art collection is displayed throughout the terminal and on airport grounds.
Baby Care Facilities – A nursing room is available airside. Additional baby care facilities are not clearly documented.
Baggage Carts – Baggage carts are available for a fee.
Currency Exchange – Not available
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is not available. A limited selection of retail shops is located throughout the terminal.
Information Booth – A Tourist Information Booth staffed by volunteers provides visitor and general airport information. Location: Arrivals area, opposite Baggage Claim 4.
Meditation Room – A quiet room for prayer, meditation, or decompression with padded benches is available. Location: First level, next to Baggage Claim Office 3.
Observation Deck – A 2,500-square-foot observation deck offers views of airfield activity. Location: Airside, between Gates A1 and B1
Pet Relief Area – An indoor pet relief room is available airside near Gate A7. Outdoor relief areas are also located on the ground floor on both the east and west sides of the terminal.
Smoking – Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas.
Buses and Shuttles
Local bus 50 (weekdays and Saturdays only) links ABQ airport to downtown Albuquerque, where connections can be made to New Mexico Rail Runner Express trains. For timetables and fares, visit the City of Albuquerque/ABQ Ride website.
Shuttle service is available with several companies providing connections to Albuquerque hotels, museums and restaurants to Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Espanola and surrounding areas. Head to the Baggage Claim area (near Carousel 6) to check in with your shuttle service or book last-minute tickets when possible.
Car Rentals
Car rentals are handled at the Sunport Car Center, a separate facility on airport property. Free shuttles connect the airport terminal to the rental car facility 24/7, departing every 10 minutes from the commercial lane outside the 1st level of the airport terminal. The following car rental agencies are located on-site: ACE • Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Payless • Thrifty • Sixt.
Hotel Shuttles
See Airport Hotels above.
RideSharing
Lyft and Uber are available. A ride to downtown Albuquerque ranges from $10 to $15.
Taxi
Taxis are available in the ground transportation area of the terminal outside door 2.
Safety & Security
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Albuquerque Sunport Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who awoke without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Last updated: 2026-01-19
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.