Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Albuquerque 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.
Around midnight, the TSA made me leave the secure area, although they were polite and apologetic about it. -a traveller
ABQ 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 Albuquerque International Sunport Airport.
What to Expect
Albuquerque Airport (code: ABQ) is a midsize, three-level international airport with two concourses (Concourse A and Concourse B). A small variety of eateries and shops are on the airside, with limited options on the landside. The airport offers free WiFi, though its service has been described as spotty, and charging areas can be found in both concourses. The airport does not host any private lounges.
Sleeping in Albuquerque Airport
Plenty of travellers have spent the night at Albuquerque Airport and have been able to sleep here. It’s not reported as the most comfortable night’s sleep, but staff have been accommodating in the past and travellers have found a few nooks where, with a bit of luck, you may get a bit of rest.
Locations & Seating
Unfortunately, most of the seating throughout the terminal has armrests, but some armrest-free seating options are available. If you spot one, grab it, as they tend to be very popular with airport sleepers. According to some reviews, if you are airside and your flight isn’t until early morning, you may be asked to go back landside and reclear security closer to your flight time.
Landside
- The baggage claim (corner near the exit), check-in and greetings areas are reportedly good sleeping spots.
- There are three long benches in the foyer of the Tia Juanita Mexican restaurant right before security.
- There are also carpeted floors which will be a more comfortable option than a chair with annoying armrests. If you opt to sleep on the floor, bring a travel or sleep mat to make it a bit warmer and don’t forget your extra layers!
- A traveller has reported all seating having cushions which makes it a tad comfier. One traveller reports the cushions are detachable and someone used them to pad the floor and make their lie-down comfier – this is a good option!
Airside
- Unfortunately, most benches here have armrests. However, a few long, cushioned benches with tables nearby have been spotted next to gate A8.
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 Albuquerque 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. The TSA security checkpoint hours are approx. 3:30 AM – 11:45 PM.
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 public area (landside), you cannot get through to the secure area (airside) until the morning.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Albuquerque Airport:
Hotel at the Airport
- Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel – Located opposite the airport terminal. » Check Rates
Hotels near the Airport
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Albuquerque Airport » Check Rates
- Hyatt Place Albuquerque Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Albuquerque Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
There are no pay-per-use lounges at this time. If this is not correct, click here to update this guide.
Drinking Water
A reader tells us, “Drinking water fountains and bottle refill stations are available near the Southwest ticketing area where they have the bi-plane model display. They are also available around the corner on the way to the restrooms on the same floor”. (March 2024)
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the terminal operate with varying schedules. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options. Some of the food options include: Black Mesa Coffee / Bakery • Comida Buena • Keva Juice • Panda Express • Rio Grande Brew Pub • Route 66 Lounge • La Trattoria • Schlotzky’s (Temporarily closed) • Watch! Sports Lounge & Grill.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Not available. If this is not correct, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
Opinions on charging stations are mixed with some people claiming the terminal is full of electric plugs and others reporting these are nowhere to be found. To update this information, click here to update our guide.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
Not available. If this is not correct, click here to update this guide.
Showers
Not available. If this is not correct, click here to update this guide.
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Albuquerque Sunport airport. Connect to the “sunport” network. However, several reviewers said the connection is particularly slow.
More Airport Information
- Airport Tours – Learn about the airport’s history and get an up-close view of the activity at the airport. Group tours are available.
- Art in the Airport – The airport’s permanent art collection is displayed throughout the terminal and airport grounds.
- 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: unknown.
- Baby Care Facilities – A mother’s nursing room is located on the Airside.
- Baggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage carts are available for a fee.
- Currency Exchange – Not available
- Drinking Water – See “Drinking Water” above.
- Duty Free & Shopping – Although duty-free shopping is unavailable, a small variety of retail shops are located throughout the airport.
- Food & Drinks – See “Food & Drinks” above.
- Hotels – See “Airport Hotels” above.
- Information Booth – The airport’s Tourist Booth is staffed by volunteers who also provide general airport information. Location: Arrivals area, opposite Baggage Claim 4. Hours: unknown.
- Lounges – See “Airport Lounges” above.
- Luggage Storage & Lockers – See “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
- Meditation Room – A quiet place to de-stress, pray or meditate on padded benches. Location: 1st Level, next to the Baggage Claim Office 3.
- Mobile Charging – See “Mobile Charging” above.
- Observation Deck – Watch the action on the tarmac from the airport’s 2500 sq. ft. observation deck. Location: Airside, between Gates A1 and B1.
- Pet Relief Area – A full-service indoor pet relief room is available. The room has a wall with an image of the Albuquerque Bosque, artificial grass and a fire hydrant to make your pet comfortable while they do their business. Location: Airside, Gate A7. The airport also features two extra outdoor relief areas. Location: Ground floor, on both the east and west sides of the terminal.
- Rest Zones – See “Rest & Relaxation Zones” above.
- Showers – See “Showers” above.
- 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 areas outside of the terminal.
- WiFi – See “WiFi/Internet” above.
Buses and Shuttles
Local bus 50 (weekdays and Saturdays only) links ABQ airport to downtown Albuquerque, where connections can be made to New Mexico Rail Runner Express trains. For timetables and fares, visit the City of Albuquerque/ABQ Ride website.
Shuttle service is available with several companies providing connections to Albuquerque hotels, museums and restaurants to Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Espanola and surrounding areas. Head to the Baggage Claim area (near Carousel 6) to check in with your shuttle service or book last-minute tickets when possible.
Car Rentals
Car rentals are handled at the Sunport Car Center, a separate facility on airport property. Free shuttles connect the airport terminal to the rental car facility 24/7, departing every 10 minutes from the commercial lane outside the 1st level of the airport terminal. The following car rental agencies are located onsite: ACE • Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Payless • Thrifty • Sixt. Visit our travel partner at Tripadvisor to search for car rental deals.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Baymont by Wyndham Albuquerque Airport • Best Western Airport Albuquerque Inn Suites Hotel & Suites • Comfort Inn Albuquerque Airport • Courtyard by Marriott Albuquerque Airport • Days Inn and Suites Airport Albuquerque • Fairfield by Marriott – Albuquerque Airport • Hilton Garden Inn Albuquerque Airport • Homewood Suites by Hilton Albuquerque Airport • Ramada Albuquerque Airport • Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel • Sleep Inn Airport Albuquerque • Staybridge Suites Albuquerque Airport.
See also Airport Hotels above.
RideSharing
Lyft and Uber are available. A ride to downtown Albuquerque ranges from $10 to $15.
Taxi
Taxis are available in the ground transportation area of the terminal outside door 2.
Airport Conditions
If you plan to spend the night at the airport, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Temperature – Reviews are mixed about the airport temperature. Some report that it is chilly, while others say temperatures are fairly comfortable. Arrive prepared, just in case. It’s better to have a blanket than to need one later on. Even a hoodie provides extra warmth if the terminal gets colder.
- Lighting – A few travellers have reported that airport lights stay on all night. Come prepared with eyeshades or something else to cover your eyes, such as a shirt or towel.
- Noise – During the day, expect typical airport noise, like boarding calls and general announcements. By night, the situation doesn’t improve, with a reader reporting announcements every few minutes that are: “EXCEPTIONALLY LOUD, even with earplugs” (January, 2024). Bring noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs to minimise noise.
Safety & Security
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Albuquerque Sunport Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important 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. 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 arder 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.
Last updated: 2024-02-06
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.