Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our John Wayne 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 don’t think many people spend the night at John Wayne airport, so it’s not really set up with stragglers in mind. – flute
SNA 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 Orange County John Wayne Airport.
What to Expect
John Wayne Airport (code: SNA) consists of a single building with a main lobby and three terminals: A, B, and C. Travellers can move between all three terminals on the airside. The airport has over 20 cafes and restaurants, plus about a dozen shops. Note that all eateries close early in the evening, after which only vending machines are available. Free WiFi helps pass the time. Economy-class travellers can upgrade their airport experience by paying to enter one of the airport lounges.
Sleeping in Orange County Airport
After security checkpoints close for the night, passengers are restricted to landside only. Passengers sleeping airside will be required to return to landside until security reopens, and will need to clear security again to re-enter. The airport is not the most comfortable for overnighters, but there are a few hard wooden benches in the terminal. Have a travel mattress, pillow and blanket handy for some added comfort, whether you sleep on a bench or the floor. A few curved benches on the Upper Level behind two check-in areas offer some privacy. For uninterrupted sleep, a few nearby hotels provide free shuttle service. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info.
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 Orange County 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 4:30 AM until 12:00 AM.
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 Orange County Airport that provide free airport shuttles:
- Hilton Irvine Orange County Airport » Check Rates
- Hampton Inn & Suites Irvine-Orange County Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Orange County 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 are lounges 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 learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- American Airlines Admirals Club – Location: Terminal A, Airside, Mezzanine level, adjacent to Gate 8. Lounge Access: Pay at the door with proof of American Airlines ticket • Lounge membership programs.
- United Club – Location: Terminal B, Airside, across from Gate 9. Lounge Access: Pay at the door with proof of United Airlines ticket • United Club Membership.
Military Lounge
USO Lounge – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Terminal B, Arrival Level (lower) next to Baggage Carousel 4.
Related Pages: Orange County Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
Water fountains and water bottle refill stations are available in Terminals A, B and C.
Food & Drinks
Most food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. There are no 24-hour dining options. Twenty-two restaurants/coffee shops are available, with both Landside and Airside options.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
Recharge your electronics at most gate areas. Outlets are located between the backs of the seating rows. Workstations are also available throughout Terminal C gate areas with outlets.
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at John Wayne Airport. Connect to the “JWAFREEWIFI” network.
More Airport Information
Art Gallery – Location: Airside, Departure Level, North Concourse, opposite Gates 11-14
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 A (Gate 7) • Terminal B (Gate 10) • Terminal C (Gate 17) • Baggage Claim (Lower Level, Arrivals, near Carousels 1, 4, 6 and 7).
Baby Care Facilities – If you are travelling with an infant, there is a baby care rooms for breastfeeding and diaper-changing. Location: Terminal B, between gates 11 and 12. Changing facilities are also available throughout the airport.
Baggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage carts (Smarte Carte) are available throughout the airport. Rate: unknown.
Currency Exchange – not available. Exchange services are available off-airport grounds.
Duty-Free & Shopping – No duty-free shopping options. Many shops are available landside and airside, including several convenience-type shops for last-minute drinks and snacks.
Information Desk – If you have any questions, visit the airport information desk for assistance. Location: across from carousels 2 and 3 in the baggage claim areas. Ambassadors can also be seen around the airport; look for their red vests.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Spa – XpresSpa – Manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and more services are available. Location: Terminal B, airside, Gate 10.
Workstations – The airport supplies workstations free of charge. Locations: Terminal C, gate areas.
Bus
The Disneyland Resort Express bus offers scheduled service between John Wayne Airport and Disneyland Resort hotels. A designated bus stop is located in the Ground Transportation Center on the Arrivals (Lower) Level.
John Wayne Airport is served by Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) bus routes 76 and Irvine Shuttle (iShuttle) Route A. iShuttle links the airport to the Tustin MetroLink Station. For route maps, schedules and fare information, visit the OCTA website or City of Irvine iShuttle website.
Car Rentals
Car rental services are available on the Arrivals (Lower) Level, between Terminals A and B. On-site car rental agencies include Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National.
Other car rental agencies offer free shuttle service to their nearby off-site locations (Thrifty, Firefly, Fox and more), so plan ahead with your service provider.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Ayres Hotel & Suites in Costa Mesa – Newport Beach • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Irvine Spectrum • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Santa Ana – Orange County Airport • Embassy Suites by Hilton Irvine – Orange County Airport • Hampton Inn & Suites Irvine-Orange County Airport • Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa • Hilton Irvine / Orange County Airport • Irvine Marriott • Sonesta Irvine.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Shuttles
Several companies offer scheduled or on-demand shuttle service to and from SNA airport. These shuttles can be found on the Arrivals (Lower) Level of the airport in the Ground Transportation Center. Contact your service provider of choice for service area information, fares and reservations.
Taxis
Taxis are available in the Ground Transportation Center on the Arrivals (Lower) Level between Terminals A and B and at Column 14 on the Arrivals (Lower) Level of Terminal C. 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.