Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Birmingham-Shuttlesworth 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
There are practically no benches apart from a few of the oddly curved metal benches. – a guest reviewer
BHM 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 Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.
What to Expect
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport (code: BHM) consists of a single terminal building with 19 departure gates in three new concourses (A, B and C). The two-level Landside terminal entrance features ticketing and check-in facilities on the upper level, with baggage claim and airport offices on the lower level. There are more than a dozen eateries and shops in the terminal, almost all of which are Airside near the gates. WiFi is available. There are no private lounges at this airport.
Sleeping in Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport is open 24 hours. However, if you plan on sleeping in this airport, you will be confined to the Landside area once security checkpoints close for the night. A reviewer mentioned you may likely be offered a hotel voucher if you are stuck here due to a flight cancellation/delay. Check with your airline.
Locations & Seating
Seating options are described as uncomfortable for sleeping with only a limited number of armrests-free benches throughout the terminal. However, one traveller found a hidden nook of comfortable seating on the Landside near the ticketing counters across from a door labelled ‘event room’ (November 2017). Another reader mentioned the Arrival area downstairs, where he “Slept across from the Starbucks right next to an outlet to charge my phone and across from the bathroom” (July 2018).
For uninterrupted sleep, there are some hotels within a quick shuttle ride of the airport. See Airport Hotels below for more information.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, scroll down to explore more in our Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport Guide.
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.
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; however, the TSA security checkpoints are only available from 4:30 AM until the last flight departure of the day. You cannot stay on the Airside when the TSA checkpoints are closed. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
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.
Cots
The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport:
- Ramada Birmingham Airport » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport » Check Rates
- Quality Inn Airport – Southeast » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
There are no pay-per-use lounges in the airport. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does Birmingham Airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
Food & Drinks
Food outlets operate on limited schedules, and there are no 24-hour dining options. Overnight travellers should buy food and water in advance, as most concessions close by early evening.
- Concourse A: Scoreboard Bar and Cafe (5:00 AM-7:00 PM) • Starbucks (5:00 AM – 5:00 PM).
- Concourse B: Red Mountain Grill (5:00 AM – 7:00 PM).
- Concourse C: Tacos Locos (5:00 AM – 7:00 PM) • Starbucks (5:00 AM – 5:00 PM) • Burger King (5:00 AM – 7:00 PM).
- Food Courts: Chick-fil-A (4:30 AM – 7:00 PM) • The Great American Bagel (5:00 AM – 7:00 PM).
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Luggage storage and lockers are not available. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
FuelRods portable charging kiosks are available throughout the terminal, including baggage claim. A reader also reported seeing fixed charging stations near Starbucks (last reported July 2018), though this has not been recently confirmed.
Showers
Showers are not available. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport. Connect to the “BHMFREEWIFI” network and start surfing.
Safety & Security
Airport staff tolerate overnight sleepers. We have had no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Birmingham Airport. 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 located 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 harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who awoke 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.
More Airport Information
Accessibility – Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD) are available on the lower level near baggage claim areas.
Mobile translation devices (ELSA™) are available through airport operations and the information counter.
Visual paging is offered for hearing-impaired passengers and can be requested at the information desk in the baggage claim area.
Art in the Airport – Several art exhibits are displayed throughout the terminal, including Earth Wind and Water: The Landscape of Alabama, a living plant wall in Concourse B.
ATMs / Cash Machines – ATMs are available throughout the terminal. Fees may apply, so travellers should check with their bank regarding international withdrawal limits and charges.
Baby Care Facilities – Nursing Rooms are available for feeding or caring for infants in a private setting. Changing tables are located in airside restrooms.
Baggage Carts – Baggage carts are available in baggage claim and near the terminal entrance for a fee.
Children’s Area – Kid Zones are located near select gates across the concourses.
Duty-Free and Shopping – Duty-free shopping is not available. Convenience and souvenir shops operate in each concourse, with additional gift and specialty retail options landside.
Information Desk – An information desk is available in the baggage claim area to assist travellers.
Observation Deck – An observation deck offers views of arriving and departing aircraft.
Pet Relief Area – A pet relief area is available for travellers with animals.
Prayer Room – A quiet meditation room is available near the C gates.
Sensory Room – A sensory room is available for travellers who benefit from a calm, low-stimulus space before flying.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this guide.
Car Rentals
The following car rental agencies offer service on-site in the BHM Rental Car facility, located in Section 1B on the ground level of the parking deck: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Payless • Thrifty.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Ramada by Wyndham Birmingham Airport • Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport, an IHG Hotel • Quality Inn Airport–Southeast.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Limousine and Shuttle Service
Several companies offer scheduled or on-demand shuttle service to and from BHM airport. Reservations are required in advance. Contact your service provider of choice for details, or visit the Birmingham Airport website for a list of providers.
Shuttles
Shared-ride shuttles offer service to and from BHM but usually need to be booked in advance. Contact your service provider of choice for details.
Taxi
Metered taxis are readily available 24 hours a day on the ground level outside of the baggage claim area.
Last updated: 2026-02-05
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.