Sleeping in Airports

Columbia Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Columbia 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.

One of the airport managers suggested we sleep over at the chapel. – Jim

CAE 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 Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

What to Expect

columbia airport guideColumbia Airport (code: CAE) is an easy-to-navigate, single concourse facility with 10 departure gates, and a couple of dining and shopping options available on both sides of security. WiFi is available to help pass the time. There are no private lounges at this airport, but there is a USO available for active duty and retired military personnel and their families.

Sleeping in Columbia Airport

Airside seating is reportedly limited and not conducive to sleeping, but there are reportedly some armrest-free chairs on the landslide that can be pulled together to create a reasonable bed. The airport chapel and atrium have also been mentioned as possible sleeping spots, but you may want to avoid sleeping in the chapel during the day as it is considered disrespectful to have people snoring during prayer. For uninterrupted sleep, there are some hotels within a quick shuttle ride of the airport. See Airport Hotels below for more information 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 web site for current information.  For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Columbia 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 loungeAirport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

At the time of this update, pay-per-use lounges were not available.  If this information is not correct, click here to update this airport guide.

Military Lounge

USO Lounge – The USO offers a lounge that is free of charge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Airport Atrium.

Related Pages: Columbia Airport Lounges

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Columbia Airport:

  • Country Inn & Suites by Carlson Columbia Airport SC – Free airport shuttle is available. » Check Rates
  • Sleep Inn Airport – Airport shuttle is available Monday – Friday. » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Columbia Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

wifiAirport WiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available at Columbia Airport. Connect to the FlyWithEase network. No login required.

airport infoMore Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside, Main lobby, next to the USO lounge • Airside, next to the Paradies Gift Shop. Conference Room – There is no fee to reserve the room. Contact the Airport Information desk to make a reservation.  Location: lower level, baggage claim area.

Currency Exchange – No

Food & Drinks – There are no 24-hour dining options available. Food options include:

  • Landside – SkyBar
  • Airside (Food Court) – Red Eye Express Coffee • The Paradies Shops

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.

Mobile Charging – A reader tells us that mobile charging stations are “scattered throughout the airport next to seats. Some outlets are also available against the outer walls of the terminal, but are more sporadic.” (October 2019)

Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Shopping – Paradies / PGA shops offer coffee, snacks, and last minute gifts, both landside and airside.

Showers – Not available.

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

airport hoursAirport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

airlinesAirlines

Columbia airport is served by the following airlines: American Airlines • Delta Air Lines • United Airlines.

transportationAirport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Car Rentals

The following onsite car rental agencies are located in baggage claim: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Thrifty.  Visit our travel partner at Tripadvisor to search for car rentals deals.

Hotel Shuttles

Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Columbia Airport   •  Courtyard by Marriott Columbia    •   Sleep Inn Airport.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxis and Shared Ride Shuttles

Taxis and shared-ride shuttles are readily available at the lower level of the terminal near baggage claim. All taxis are metered and reservations are not required.

Last updated: 2024-01-31

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.