Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Anchorage 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.
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Avoid C concourse on Wednesday nights as it is full of oilfield workers travelling to Prudhoe Bay on Thursday. You are safe there, but the snoring is truly world class! – Kris
ANC 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 Anchorage Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
What to Expect
Anchorage Airport (code: ANC) consists of two terminals: North and South. The South Terminal serves domestic airlines and has three concourses (A, B and C). The North Terminal has one concourse (N) and caters to international airlines and cargo/charter operations. A landside shuttle bus connects the two terminals.
The airport is smaller, so amenities are limited. You will find free WiFi, an art gallery, and a few good restaurants, including sushi and a microbrewery. For added comfort, economy-class passengers can pay to use one of the first-class lounges.
Sleeping in Anchorage Airport
Most seats have armrests, so it’s up to you to make a comfortable sleep area – most likely on the ice-cold floors. For armrest-free seating, Concourse C is the place to be.
Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- The observation area near Gate C1 is quiet.
- Gate C9, under the hanging airplane.
- A hallway near the car rental center leading to the train station is quiet and has an electrical outlet for charging your mobile devices.
- Landside, the Ravn Alaska check-in desks are generally quiet and have armrest-free seats.
If you’re looking for uninterrupted sleep, it’s worth checking out nearby hotels with free airport shuttles. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Anchorage 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 Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Remember 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 (landside), you cannot get through to the secure area (airside) until the morning.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Anchorage Airport:
- Coast Inn at Lake Hood » Check Rates
- Comfort Suites Anchorage International Airport » Check Rates
- Courtyard by Marriott Anchorage Airport » Check Rates
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Anchorage/Midtown » Check Rates
- Hyatt House Anchorage » Check Rates
- The Lakefront Anchorage » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Anchorage Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
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, purchasing a lounge pass, or using a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- Alaska Lounge – Location: Concourse C, Airside, near Gate C1. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs. Hours 5:00 AM – 1:00AM
- Delta Sky Club Pop-Up – Location: South Terminal entrance. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs. Hours 4:45 AM – 12:15AM
Military Lounge
- Atwood Military Lounge – Open to military personnel and their families only. Snacks, beverages and a playroom are available. Location: South Terminal, Level 1, behind the escalators. Hours: open 24 hours.
Related Pages: Anchorage Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Food & Drink
Many food concessions in the South Terminal operate with varying schedules, but no 24-hour food or drink concessions exist. In the past, McDonalds and Starbucks were open 24 hours, but this seems to have changed. If this information is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Huntleigh USA can store your luggage. You will need to present an airline ticket or boarding pass. The location is Level 1, next to Bag Claim # 4.
Mobile Charging
A 2022 review mentioned power outlets in the hall leading to the car rentals.
Showers
Showers are unavailable. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Anchorage Airport. Connect to the “ANC Free WIFI” network.
Security & Safety
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on security or safety issues at Anchorage Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s essential 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. Please 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 woke up 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.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
More Airport Information
Airport Art – Explore one of the finest collections of Alaska Native Art at the “Art in Public Places” art gallery. Locations: Mezzanine Level, Concourse C, above the passenger exit lane and the “Northern Lights Corridor,” which connects the train and car rental facilities.
Alaska Sports Hall of Fame – Location: South Terminal, adjacent to the parking garage, access from Level 1 across from Baggage Claim # 5.
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: in the North and South Terminals.
Baby Care Facilities – Baby changing facilities are located throughout the terminal. A nursery can be found across from the restrooms at the start of Concourse B. Nursing and pumping areas are equipped with power outlets, changing tables, and sinks. Location: Concourse C and Level 1, behind the escalators.
Barber Shop – Time for a trim? Head to the Bush Pilot’s Barber Shop. Location: Landside.
Currency Exchange – Currency exchange counters are not available.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping and a small variety of shops are available. There are seven Hudson News & Gift shops available.
Information Desk – Three Locations: North Terminal, Landside, Lobby. Hours: Open for all flight arrivals • South Terminal, landside, Level 1 baggage claim level, in C Concourse, behind the escalators. Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM • South Terminal, in A Concourse, Level 1. Hours: Staffed as necessary.
Luggage Carts – Available for free in the South Terminal.
Pet Relief Areas – Anchorage Airport has three outdoor and one indoor pet relief areas. Locations: (2) South Terminal, Baggage Claim, curbside • South Terminal, Level 2, across from Gate C1 • North Terminal, outside door 4.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Smoking – Smoking is permitted in designated smoking areas outside the terminals.
Bus
The People Mover Bus provides a connection between Dimond Transit Center and downtown Anchorage. Route 40 stops at various points at the airport (every 30 minutes) between 6:00 AM and 11:00 PM. For more information, visit the Municipality of Anchorage website.
Car Rentals
The following car rental agencies operate onsite at the airport Rental Car Center: Alaska 4×4 Rentals •Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • Thrifty. The Rental Car Center is located across from the South Terminal. Free shuttles run between both terminals and the Rental Car Center every 15 minutes. You can request the airport free shuttle by calling 907.677.1074 or using the wall-mounted courtesy phone adjacent to the terminal connector.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Alex Hotel & Suites • Coast Inn at Lake Hood • Comfort Suites Anchorage International Airport • Crowne Plaza Anchorage-Midtown, an IHG Hotel • Fairfield Inn & Suites Anchorage Midtown • Hampton Inn Anchorage • Hilton Garden Inn Anchorage • Holiday Inn Express Anchorage • Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites • The Lakefront Anchorage • Lakeshore Inn & Suites • La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Anchorage Airport • Motel 6 Anchorage Midtown • Puffin Inn Of Anchorage • SpringHill Suites Anchorage Midtown.
Shuttles depart from outside the Baggage Claim. Courtesy phones are available to contact your hotel for shuttle service.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Inter-Terminal Shuttle
The airport provides free shuttle service, which runs between the South Terminal, Employee Parking Lot and Rental Car Center every 15 minutes. Service from the North Terminal and the Park & Fly Lot (extended parking) is available on-demand only. It can be requested by using the designated phone on the wall curbside near the southeast end exit door or by calling 907-677-1074.
Ride Share
Rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft, are available from both terminals. Pick-up Locations: Level 2, outside Ticketing. A ride to downtown Anchorage will cost you $18 to $25.
Taxi
Taxis are readily available. Pick-up locations: South Terminal (Level 1, Baggage Claim, across from Door 3) and North Terminal (across from Door 2). The ride to downtown Anchorage takes approx. 15 – 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
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.