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
After security checkpoints close for the night, passengers are restricted to the landside and must re-clear security when the gates re-open in the morning. According to a 2017 review, while most seating includes armrests, there are some armrest-free seats throughout the landside portion of the airport, so grab one while you can. According to older reviews, the baggage claim and ticketing/check-in areas were considered decent sleeping spots. However, travellers recommend a travel blanket or sweater to ward off the cold air conditioning and suggest a travel mat if armrest-free seating is all occupied. 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 Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Albuquerque Airport that provide free airport shuttles:
- Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel – Located opposite the airport terminal. » Check Rates
- 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.
Airport WiFi
Free WiFi is available at Albuquerque Sunport airport. Connect to the “sunport” network. However, several reviewers said the connection is particularly slow.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
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 travel 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
Duty Free & Shopping – Although duty-free shopping is unavailable, a small variety of retail shops are located throughout the airport.
Food & Drinks – Food concessions throughout the airport 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 • Watch! Sports Lounge & Grill.
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.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.
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 – Before our July 2023 update, we had information that 14 workstations with built-in power outlets were available on the 3rd floor, both landside and airside. We don’t know if this is still accurate. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
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 – No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
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.
Smoking – Smoking is permitted in designated areas outside of the terminal.
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.
Airlines
Albuquerque airport is served by the following airlines: Advanced Air • Alaska Airlines • American Airlines • Boutique Air • Delta Air Lines • JetBlue Airways • Spirit Airlines • Southwest Airlines • United Airlines.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
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.
Last updated: 2023-07-31
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.