Sleeping in Airports

Portland Airport Guide

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

There’s no where to really spread out and get comfortable unless it’s the floor. I don’t care how famous the carpeting is, that is not sanitary!-  a traveller

PDX 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 Portland International Airport.

What to Expect

Portland Airport (code: PDX) consists of a single terminal with Concourses A, B, and C on one side and Concourses D and E on the opposite side. You’ll do some walking, but luckily you can cross from one concourse side to the other without exiting and re-entering Security. Note: A reader let us know there is construction happening (March 2024), so D and E are not currently connected to A, B, C. They will be once again as soon as the remodel is complete.

Travellers love this airport for its efficient size, and the bevvy of local dining and shopping outlets give a real Portland feel even if you never leave the airport. Oregon is a tax-free state, and the airport makes sure that airport prices aren’t higher than prices outside the airport, which travellers appreciate! Take advantage of the free WiFi and numerous power outlets. Economy class travellers seeking more creature comforts can pay to enter two airport lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates.

Portland Airport Guide
(Photo courtesy of Port of Portland / 2017)

Sleeping in Portland Airport

Getting some sleep at Portland Airport is surprisingly pleasant. Airside, you can stretch out on a number of curved armrest-free benches. For more privacy, seek out some private nooks in Concourse C. Most areas are carpeted, if you prefer the floor. If you’re staying overnight in the public zone, do expect a security guard to check your ID and boarding pass – you’ll be kicked out without one. A few travellers have commented on chilly temps, so bring an extra layer. Explore our guide to sleeping in Portland Airport or read some traveller reviews for more tips.  For uninterrupted sleep, a hotel is located on airport grounds and several nearby hotels offer free shuttle service. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info.

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 Portland 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 hoursAirport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

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 of the terminal (landside) you will not be able to get through to the secure area of the terminal (airside) until the morning. The TSA security screening checkpoint hours vary according to terminal:

  • ABC Checkpoint: 4:00AM – 10:00PM
  • DE Checkpoint: unknown

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Portland Airport that provide free airport shuttles.  The airport shuttles depart from the “Courtesy Shuttles” island outside of the baggage claim.

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

airport loungeAirport Lounges

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

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!

Alaska Lounge – Location: Concourse C, Airside, Gate C5. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.

United Club – Location: Concourse E, Airside, across from Gate E1. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door with proof of United Airlines ticket • United Club Membership.

Airline Lounges (members only)

Delta Sky Club – Location: Concourse D, Airside. Lounge Access: Elite Status • Lounge membership programs.

Military Lounge

USO LoungeThe USO offers a lounge that is free of charge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Landside, Mezzanine Level, near the PDX Conference Center.

Related Pages: Portland Airport Lounges

water bottle refillsDrinking Water

Thirsty?  Refill your water bottles at water fountain throughout the terminal.

foodFood & Drinks

Food concessions throughout the airport operate on varying schedules, with some open as early as 4:00AM, and closing as late as midnight. For grab and go food, head to the Your Northwest Travel Mart, Landside which is open 24 hours.

Luggage StorageLuggage Storage & Lockers

Luggage Services and Logistics provides luggage storage services. Location: north end of the baggage claim, past carousel 10. Hours: 8:30AM – 1:30AM.

mobile chargingMobile Charging

A reader tells us “Most seating areas have chargers, especially in the remodeled areas. Older areas (notably C) have some seats with chargers and wall plugs, but not enough charging for every single passenger.” (March 2024)

rest zonesRest & Relaxation Zones

There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

showersShowers

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

wifiWiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available at Portland Airport. Connect to the “flypdx” network.

airport infoMore Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Barber Shop – Treat yourself to a haircut or an old-fashioned shave at The Barbers. Location: Oregon Market. Hours: 8:00AM – 6:00PM (Mon-Fri), 9:00AM – 4:00PM (Sat) and 10:00AM – 5:00PM (Sun).

Duty Free & Shopping – At the time of this update, it is not known if Duty Free shopping is available. The airport offers a small variety of shops both Landside and Airside to pass the time.

Family Services

  • Baby Care Facilities – Nursing Mother breastfeeding rooms can be found airside near Capers Café (near the South Lobby) and near Gate D2.
  • Children’s Play Area – Locations: Airside, Concourse C, near Gate C17 • Airside, Concourse D, near Gate D7.

Information Desk – There are information booths located at the airport’s 2 main entrances.

Luggage

  • Baggage Carts – Smartecarte offers baggage carts throughout the airport. Fees: unknown.
  • Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.

Medical Services

  • Medical Services – While services are not technically available, if you are not feeling well you can teleconference with a physician at the pharmacy. See Pharmacy below.
  • Pharmacy – Providence Express Care provides over the counter medications. Location: Airside, South Lobby. Hours: 5:00AM – 9:00PM.

Money

  • 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: Landside and Airside.
  • Currency Exchange – Travelex kiosks are available in two locations: Baggage Claim, landside. Hours: 8:30AM – 4:30PM (Mon-Fri) 8:00AM – 2:00PM (Sat & Sun) • Concourse D, airside. Hours: 7:30AM – 3:30PM (daily).

Shoe Shine – Services are offered at The Barbers. Location: Concourse C, Airside, at Gate C4. Hours: 6:00AM – 2:00PM.

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

Spa – Feel your stress melt away with a holistic foot, chair, or full-body massage at The Dragontree Spa. Location: Concourse C, Airside. Hours: 9:00AM – 8:00PM (Sun – Wed), 9:00AM – 8:30PM (Thurs & Fri) and 9:00AM – 6:00PM (Sat).

Things to do & see

  • Art in the Airport – Rotating art exhibits and scheduled live music performances are available throughout the airport.
  • Entertainment – Digiboo. Download your favourite movie to laptop, tablet, etc. Kiosk locations: Near Gates C10, C12, C13 & C15, D4, E2 & E3.
  • Movie Theater – Hollywood Theatre and PDX Art Program partnered up to create a 17-seat movie theatre, featuring short films about the Pacific Northwest. Both educational and entertaining, these films are family-friendly and run on a 1-hour loop. Entry is free! Location: Concourse C.
Airlines
Portland airport is served by the following airlines: Air Canada • Alaska Airlines • American Airlines • Boutique Air • British Airways • Condor • Delta Air Lines • Frontier Airlines • Hawaiian Airlines • Icelandair • JetBlue • Southwest Airlines • Spirit Airlines • Sun Country • United Airlines • Volaris • WestJet.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Car Rentals

The following car rental agencies are available onsite: Avis • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National. Alamo • Budget • Thrifty are located off-site, but provide courtesy shuttle service from the airport’s lower roadway near the parking garage.

Chauffeured Vehicles for Hire

Private airport transfers, including executive sedan and limousine service, can be arranged through one of hundreds of companies that service the Portland area. Vehicles for hire must be reserved in advance.

Hotel Shuttles

Many area hotels provide free airport shuttle service: Aloft Portland Airport at Cascade Station   •   Candlewood Suites – Portland Airport   •  Clarion Hotel Portland Airport   •   Comfort Inn & Suites Portland International Airport   •  Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Portland International Airport, OR /   Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Airport  /  Fairfield Inn & Suites Portland Airport  /   Hampton Inn Portland Airport   •  Holiday Inn Express & Suites Portland Airport  /   Home2 Suites by Hilton Portland Airport OR  /  Homewood Suites by Hilton Portland Airport  /  La Quinta Inn & Suites Portland Airport   •  Radisson Hotel Portland Airport   •  Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel   •  SpringHill Suites by Marriott Portland Airport  /   Super 8 Portland.

Hotel shuttles pick up from the lower roadway in the center of the Departures and Baggage Claim level. Ask your hotel for shuttle service availability and details.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Light Rail

The airport is connected to the city via the MAX Light Rail system. The Red Line departs approximately every 15 minutes. For fares, routes and schedules, visit the MAX website.

A reader passed along this tip: “the red line is down for construction through Oct 21. There is a shuttle bus substitute but it is subject to traffic.”  For more information, click here.

Shuttles

Several companies provide door-to-door local and inter-city shuttle services to and from PDX Airport. Most of these services run daily, with some on a schedule and others available on demand. Contact your service provider of choice for service details and reservations.

Taxi

Taxis are readily available on the lower roadway in the center of the Departures and Baggage Claim level.

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.