Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Memphis 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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It has been the best sleeping airport I’ve been at so far. – K, I, O
MEM 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 Memphis International Airport.
What to expect
Memphis Airport (code: MEM) is a mid-size, dated, partially renovated terminal with three concourses (A, B and C). Each concourse has several eateries and shops, with locations on both sides of security. Most of these eateries and shops close early in the evening, so plan accordingly. WiFi is available to help pass the time. Economy class passengers flying on Delta Airlines can find comfort in a lounge accessible by purchasing a day pass or Delta Sky Club membership. See Airport Lounges below for locations and rates.
Sleeping in Memphis Airport
After security checkpoints close for the night, all passengers are restricted to the landside areas, and must re-clear security the next day when the checkpoints open. Due to ongoing renovations, overnight cleaning crews and early morning aircraft traffic, the terminal has a reputation for being exceptionally loud. Consider bringing earplugs/noise-cancelling headphones if you plan to sleep in this airport. While there is plenty of armrest-free, padded seating near the gates, comfortable seating on the landside may be limited. The terminal can also be cold, so bring a sleeping bag and or travel blanket for enhanced sleeping comfort. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read 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 Memphis 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.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Keep in mind that airline check-in and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the terminal’s public area (landside), you will not be able to get through to the terminal’s secure area (airside) until the morning. The TSA security screening checkpoint hours vary according to terminal:
- Terminal A: Closed
- Terminal B: 4:00 AM – 8:30 PM
- Terminal C: Closed
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 Memphis Airport sounds like a nightmare, nearby hotels provide free airport shuttles. Courtesy phones are located in the Baggage Claim Area. Exit the terminal from the Baggage Claim area for the Hotel Shuttle Buses and look for the overhead signs.
- Holiday Inn Memphis Airport Hotel & Conference Center » Check Rates
- La Quinta Inn & Suites Memphis Airport Graceland » Check Rates
- Courtyard by Marriott Memphis Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Memphis Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Not available.
Airline Lounges (non-members)
Delta Sky Club – Location: Concourse B/C. Lounge Access: Elite Status • Lounge membership programs.
Members Lounges
St Jude Children’s Research Hospital Patient Lounge – A newly opened lounge is available for St Jude Children’s Research Hospital patients and their families. The space includes seating areas with charging stations, a private restroom, a game area with toys, a TV, and a kitchenette with complimentary snacks and drinks. Location: Airside, near the Rotunda.
Military Lounges
The USO offers a lounge free of charge to active members of the US military and their families. Amenities include a TV lounge, snacks, newspapers/magazines and a private nursing room. Location: Terminal A, Airside, next to Gate A27. Hours: Open daily from the 1st flight until the last flight departs.
Note: this may be a temporary location while the Terminal B location is under construction.
Related Pages: Memphis Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
A reader tells us “Multiple restrooms throughout the airport have water fountains with water bottle filling stations.” (July 2024)
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the airport operate on varying schedules, with some open as early as 4:30 AM. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options. Five restaurants are available Landside and Airside. Note: Terminal B currently offers Landside options only. You will also find three water bottle refill stations between gates 4/6, 10/12 and 13-15 and vending machines throughout.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
A reader tells us, “most gates have a few 110-volt AC plug-ins near the chairs.” (March 2021)
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Memphis Airport through Boingo.
More Airport Information
Art in the Airport – Pieces from the Belz Museum Asian & Judaic art collection are on display outside the Delta Sky Club in the Concourse B-C walkway connector. Artwork from local student artists is on display throughout the walkways connecting Concourses A, B and C.
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: Terminal B – Baggage area near Welcome Booth • Ticketing Area (three different banks) • A Connector area.
Business Center – A reader tells us, “Free access business center with four comfy chairs and barstools at a charging desk within glasses in walls. Conference room attached within its own free entry door. Lights go out without movement.” (April 2024)
Family Facilities – Mother’s nursing lounges and family restrooms are between gates 4/6, 10/12 and 13/15.
Two additional family restrooms are near the security checkpoint. A children’s play area is available near gate 7.
Banking Services – Regions Bank offers full banking services, which may include currency exchange. Location: A Connector, just outside Checkpoint B. Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Mon – Fri).
Currency Exchange – Location: At the time of this update, the Currency Exchange branch in Terminal B is closed due to the terminal renovations. See Banking Service above.
Duty-Free & Shopping – No duty-free shopping is available. Some retail shops are open 4:30 AM – 8:00 PM, but small electronics can also be purchased 24 hours a day from the Best Buy Express vending machine.
Information Desk – Airport information and assistance are available via Blue Suede Service, provided by a volunteer group of retirees who serve the airport. Look around the airport for people wearing navy blue vests, white shirts, khaki pants/shorts and Blue Suede Service clipboards.
Live Music – Quartets from the Memphis Symphony Orchestra perform classical music. Location: Main Terminal • Concourse C, near Gate C11.
Luggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage carts are available free of charge at the airport.
Medical Services – Memphis airport has 25 Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) and numerous trauma kits throughout.
Meditation Room – Yes
Postal Services – Drop off your last-minute postcards at the airport’s mailbox, located in the baggage level of Concourse A.
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 prohibited inside the terminal and only permitted 20 feet from the building.
Bus
MATA Bus #28 picks up about every hour from 6:42 AM – 6:23 PM (Mon – Fri) • 8:42 AM – 5:23 PM • 8:42 AM – 5:43 PM (Sun).
The bus stops in front of Terminal C, on the outer drive (3rd lane) across from the Baggage Claim exits. For route maps, schedules and fares, visit the MATA website.
Car Rentals
Car rental desk services are available in the Ground Transportation Center, located under the Baggage Claim level in the lower level of Terminal B. On-site car rental agencies include Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Payless • Thrifty.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Comfort Inn & Suites Airport – American Way • Courtyard Memphis Airport • Crowne Plaza Memphis East • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Memphis • Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis – Shady Grove Road • Holiday Inn Memphis Airport Hotel & Conference Center • La Quinta Inn & Suites Memphis Airport Graceland.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Shuttles
The airport provides a list of shuttle service providers if you wish to book a shuttle in advance. To review your options, visit the Memphis Airport website.
Taxis
Taxis are available at the center lane in front of Concourse B Baggage Claim from 6:00 AM until one hour after the last flight’s arrival. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required.
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.