Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Destin – Fort Walton Beach 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.
Quick Links
I have never been to an airport with employees that seem to have SO little to do ..that making a customer’s experience an absolute Hell is the highlight of their day. – Guest Reviewer
VPS 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 Destin – Fort Walton Beach Airport.
What to Expect
A small terminal comprises Destin – Fort Walton Beach Airport (code: VPS). Three gates are in the upper concourse, and another three are in the lower concourse. Amenities are limited, with a couple of eateries, a cafe, and a few shops, but the good news is that free WiFi is available. No pay-to-use airport lounges are available.
Sleeping in Fort Walton Airport
The airside/secure section of the airport closes at night, but it is possible to sleep in the main building in the baggage claim area. For uninterrupted sleep, a few hotels are located nearby. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info, 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 website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Destin-Fort Walton 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 from 3:45 AM – 11:55 PM.
A reader has informed us that the airport closes between 10:00 PM – 4:00 AM. He says, “the airport that is near Fort Walton beach which is called Northwest regional airport closes its doors and makes all people leave the airport at 10:00 PM till 4:00 AM for the flight that leaves at 6:00 AM. Our son was stranded there on Jan 2, 2016. the police told everyone to leave at 10:00 PM as the airport will close and will not reopen till 4:00 AM for the flight that leaves at 6:00 AM to Atlanta Ga. It was very cold that night and our son had to walk 4 miles to the nearest waffle house to get inside for the night. When he got back lots of people were standing outside waiting for the airport to open. We were unaware that the airport was closed for the night.”
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
Sleeping in the airport overnight is not possible. Visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Fort Walton Beach, search for deals and read traveller reviews.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
There are no pay-per-use lounges at this airport.
Military Lounges
USO Lounge – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Landside, across from check-in counters. Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Related Pages: Destin- Fort Walton Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options. Food options include Emerald Coast Bar & Grill (Landside and Airside).
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
We had no information about mobile charging availability at the time of this update. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Destin – Fort Walton Beach Airport.
More Airport Information
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: Landside, Baggage Claim and Airside, B-level concourse.
Baby Care Facilities – Baby-changing facilities are available in the airport’s family restrooms.
Disabled Services – Requests for additional support should be made with your airline.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Gift shops are landside near security, and on the upper and lower levels.
Nursing Room – Mamava nursing pods are available. Location: Airside, B-level concourse.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Car Rentals
The following companies have desks on the lower level in the baggage claim lobby. On-site car rental agencies include: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Destin Jeep Rentals • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National.
Hotel Shuttles
At the time of this update, we could not find any hotels that provide airport shuttle service. See also Airport Hotels above.
Parking Shuttle
A free shuttle is available from the parking area to the terminal.
Shared-Ride Vehicles
Shared-ride transportation services offer an economical way to travel between VPS airport and the city center.
Taxi
Taxis are available in the ground transportation area 24 hours a day. According to a traveller review, fares are set, and there are no meters.
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.