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 (code: CAE) is an easy-to-navigate, single-concourse facility with ten departure gates and a few dining and shopping options on both sides of security. WiFi is available to help pass the time. This airport has no private lounges, but a USO is 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. Still, 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 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 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 Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Airport 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 incorrect, click here to update this airport guide.
Military Lounge
USO Lounge – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Airport Atrium.
Related Pages: Columbia Airport Lounges
Airport 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.
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.
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
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
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
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)
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Columbia Airport. Connect to the FlyWithEase network. No login is required.
More Airport Information
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: 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
Shopping – Paradies / PGA shops offer coffee, snacks, and last-minute gifts, both landside and airside.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Car Rentals
The following on-site car rental agencies are located in baggage claim: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Thrifty.
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 terminal’s lower level near baggage claim. 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.