Sleeping in Airports

Louisville Airport Guide

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

Go to gate a10 and walk the aisle next to the windows to find three chairs in a row with no arms, perfect sleeping couch. – Denise

SDF 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 Louisville International Airport.

What to expect

Louisville Airport (code: SDF) consists of a small, two-level terminal with two concourses (A and B). The terminal hosts about two dozen eateries and shops on both sides of security. With the exception of a landside restaurant/bar, all of these services close down by 8:30PM at the latest, so plan accordingly. WiFi is available and outlets for charging mobile devices can be found in various locations. There are no private lounges in this airport.

Sleeping in Louisville Airport

louisville airport guideAfter security checkpoints close for the night (approx. 9:00PM), all passengers are restricted to the landside areas, and must re-clear security the next day when the checkpoints open. Reviewers report that there are vinyl couches near Starbucks and the ticketing area that may be conducive for sleep. If you plan to spend the night in this airport, bring eyeshades, as the terminal is brightly lit during the night. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels located near the airport that provide an airport shuttle. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read some 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 web site for current information.  For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Louisville 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 hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Louisville Airport that provide free airport shuttles.  For airport pick-up, use the courtesy phones in the Ground Transportation area.

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

airport loungeAirport Lounges

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

There are no pay-per-use lounges at this airport.

Military Lounges

USO Lounge – The USO offers a lounge that is free of charge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Landside, at the hallway behind the west ticket counters. Hours: 10:00AM – 6:00PM (Mon – Fri) • 12:00PM – 4:00PM (Sat).

wifiAirport WiFi / Internet

Complimentary WiFi is available at Louisville Airport.

airport infoMore Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Upper Level Departures and the Airside Connector.

Baby Care Services – Mothers needing to care for their infants can take advantage of the nursing room. Location: Airside, Concourse A.

Baggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage carts are available landside in the Upper and Lower Levels of the airport.

Currency Exchange – 5/3 Bank offers full-service banking and currency exchange. Location: Upper Level, Landside, Ticketing area. Hours 10:000AM – 4:00PM (Mon – Fri) . Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Duty Free & Shopping – Duty Free shopping is not available. The airport offers a small variety of shops both Landside and Airside. Hours vary with most opening at 4:30AM and the closing at the latest at 8:30PM.

Food & Drinks – Food and drink concessions operate on varying schedules, with many open as early as 4:30AM.

Information Desk – Location: Arrivals Lower Level baggage claim area. Hours: 10:00AM – 10:00AM (Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri) • 10:00AM – 7:00PM (Tues). Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.

Military Reception Area – Military personnel (from Fort Knox) are available to assist all military and their dependents upon arrival at the airport. Location: in the hallway behind the west ticket counters in the landside terminal.

Mobile Charging – Comfortable seating with built-in power outlets and USB ports can be found in Concourses A and B.

Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. 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.

airport hoursAirport Hours

The airport is open 4:00AM until the last flight. The TSA security checkpoints are open 4:30AM – 9:00PM.

airlinesAirlines

Louisville airport is served by the following airlines: Allegiant • American Airlines • Breeze • Delta Air Lines • Frontier Airlines • Spirit • Southwest Airlines • United Airlines.

transportationAirport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

TARC bus “Route 2 – Second Street” daily service connects the airport with downtown Louisville. For route map, schedule and fare information, visit the TARC website.

Car Rentals

Car rental desks are located in the lower level baggage claim area. Onsite car rental agencies include Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Payless • Thrifty.  Visit our travel partner at Tripadvisor to search for car rentals deals.

Hotel Shuttles

Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Baymont by Wyndham Louisville Airport South  •   Comfort Suites   •  Courtyard by Marriott  •   Courtyard by Marriott Louisville Downtown   •   Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Expo Center   •   Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites   •   Four Points by Sheraton   •  Hampton Inn   •   Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Louisville East   •  Hilton Garden Inn   •  Holiday Inn Express Louisville Airport Expo Center    •  Holiday Inn Louisville Airport South   •  Home2 Suites by Hilton Louisville Airport Expo Center  •  Howard Johnson by Wyndham Airport  •  Residence Inn by Marriott   •  Rodeway Inn  •  Sleep Inn Louisville Airport & Expo  •   SpringHill Suites by Marriott   •   SureStay Plus By Best Western Louisville Airport Expo  •   The Brown Hotel  •  TownePlace Suites   •   Tru by Hilton

You can make a hotel reservation or request shuttle pick up by using the direct-dial courtesy phone on the Reservations Center calling board in the baggage claim area.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxis

Taxis are available at the median next to the taxi stand during airport hours of operation. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required.

Last updated: 2024-01-31

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.