Sleeping in Airports

Columbus Airport Guide

sleeping in columbus airport
(photo courtesy of a guest reviewer / September 2019)

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

I noticed an old ticket counter that was no longer being used, so I went behind the counter and made a bed on the floor in front of the old luggage conveyer belt. – Denmark

CMH Airport Overview

Columbus Airport Guide
(Photo courtesy of a SleepingInAirports contributor / September 2019)

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at John Glenn Columbus International Airport.

What to Expect

Columbus Airport (code: CMH) consists of a completely renovated modern terminal with three concourses (A, B and C). The terminal includes almost three dozen restaurants, shops and concession stands, primarily on the airside. After airport restaurants and shops close for the night, vending machines are the only in-airport snack option.   WiFi and over 2,000 built-in power outlets and USB ports are available. There are no lounges at this airport.

Sleeping in Columbus Airport

Unfortunately, we do not have any current reviews from travellers who slept in this airport. An older reviewer reported sleeping fairly comfortably for two nights at the airport. The reviewer mentioned that the lights were bright and left on all night, so bring eyeshades. 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 Columbus 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; however, the security checkpoint hours are 4:15 AM – last flight departure.

Remember that TSA, airline check-in, and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the terminal’s public area (landside), you will not be able to get through to the terminal’s secure area (airside) until the morning.

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.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Columbus Airport that provide free airport shuttles:

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

Airport Lounges

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

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass, or using a lounge membership program.

  • Escape Lounge – Location: Airside, Concourse B, near gate 32. Hours: 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Lounge Access: American Express Platinum or Centurion card • Prepaid lounge pass ($40) • Pay at the door ($45).

Military Lounge

Jake Brewer USO Lounge – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Ticketing level, near the Concourse C checkpoint.

Related Pages: Columbus Airport Airport Lounges

Drinking Water

A reader tells us, “there are water fountains and bottle-refill stations outside of all restrooms.” (July 2024)

Food & Drinks

Most food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options in the airport terminal, but there is a 24-hour McDonald’s on the airport grounds.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

Mobile Charging

The airport offers over 2,000 built-in power outlets and USB ports at seats and workstations in the boarding areas. Additionally, Fuel Rod mobile charging stations are available when you need a faster charge; only credit cards are accepted as payment. Available on Concourses A, B and C.

Showers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

WiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available at Columbus Airport. Connect to the “CMH wireless network”.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Art in the Airport – Works from local artists are on display throughout the airport.

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: Baggage Claim and Center of the Ticketing Lobby.

Baby Care Facilities – If you are travelling with an infant, baby care rooms are available for breastfeeding and diaper changing. Nursing Rooms are available in these 4 locations:

  • Landside: Baggage Claim, near Carousel 1.
  • Airside: Concourse A, Gate A2 • Concourse B, Gate B29 • Concourse C, C51.

Baggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage carts are available throughout the airport. Rates: $4 per cart. You will receive a $0.25 refund upon return.

Business Center – Location: landside, Ticketing Level, towards Concourse B. Hours: unknown.

Children’s Play Area – There are no play areas; however, the Information Desk has a supply of kid’s activity books.

Currency Exchange – TravelEx provides currency exchange services. Location: Center of the ticket lobby. Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Mon – Fri) and 11:00 AM – 3:00PM (Sat & Sun).

Duty-Free & Shopping – It is not known if Duty-Free shopping is available. The airport offers a small variety of shops, including a few Travel Marts for any last-minute needs.

Games Room – Coin-operated arcade. Location: Concourse C across from B33. Hours: open 24 hours

Information Desk – Location: in the center of the baggage claim level. Look for airport ambassadors wearing blue vests.

Massages – Not available.

Meditation Room – A quiet, interfaith area for prayer and meditation. Holy books are available for use. Location: Baggage Claim level (Across from carousel 6).

Pet Relief Area – Travelling with a four-legged companion? Columbus Airport has an area for pets to stretch their legs, drink water, and take potty breaks. Location: Outside of baggage claim area.

Postal Services – Drop off your last-minute postcards at the airport’s mailbox. Location: Center of the Ticketing Lobby.

Security Checkpoint Mailers – An easy way to ship items home that are not permitted on board. Fill out the form, put your item(s) in a sealable bag, and leave them in the drop box, available in all three concourses.

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 – designated smoking areas are located outside the terminal on the arrivals and departures levels.

Airlines
John Glenn Columbus Airport is served by the following airlines: Air Canada • Alaska Airlines • American Airlines • Breeze • Delta Air Lines • Frontier Airlines • Southwest Airlines • Spirit • United Airlines.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

CMH airport is connected to downtown via the AirConnect bus service. The service runs every 30 minutes, seven days a week, and as of this update, a one-way ticket costs $2.75. Once downtown, you can use the free CBUS that connects the Brewery District, downtown and the Short North. The airport is also served by Bus Line 7. For fares, routes and schedules, visit the COTA website.

Car Rentals

Rental cars are available at Columbus Airport. Check-in counters are on the ground floor of the parking garage. The following companies have counters at the airport: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Thrifty.

Hotel Shuttles

Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service:  Columbus Airport Marriott   •  Comfort Suites Columbus Airport  •   Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Columbus Airport  •   Days Inn Columbus Airport   •   Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus Airport   •  Fairfield Inn & Suites Columbus Airport  •   Hampton Inn Columbus Airport   •    Hilton Garden Inn Columbus Airport   •   Holiday Inn Express & Suites Columbus Airport   •  Holiday Inn Express & Suites Columbus Airport  •     Homewood Suites by Hilton Columbus Airport  •   Residence Inn by Marriott Columbus Easton  •   SpringHill Suites Columbus Airport Gahanna   •   Staybridge Suites Columbus Airport   •   TownePlace Suites Columbus Airport Gahanna.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxi

Taxis are available 24 hours a day in the ground transportation area. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required. A $3.00 airport fee applies, and at the time of this update, the average rate between the airport and downtown is $25.00.

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.