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.
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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 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 construction is happening (March 2024), so D and E are not currently connected to B and C. A Gates have apparently been removed. They will be once again as soon as the remodel is complete. Basically, it sounds like a bit of a mess right now. A reader tells us construction is expected to be finished in August 2024.
Travellers love this airport for its efficient size, and the bevy 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 ensures 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.
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 stay in the public zone overnight, expect a security guard to check your ID and boarding pass – you’ll be kicked out without one. Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- Behind the ticket counter at Gates C19-21 is a row of seats that face the window, offering some privacy.
- The far end of Concourse C has some rounded, red couches near a cafe, which closes and quiets down for the night.
- Downstairs, near the International Baggage Claim area, several rows of benches are located alongside electric outlets.
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.
Read the latest traveller reviews for more tips. Do you know a good sleep location? Click here for our review form.
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 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 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 terminal’s public area (landside), you will not be able to get through to the terminal’s secure area (airside) until the morning. The TSA security screening checkpoint hours vary according to terminal:
- ABC Checkpoint: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- DE Checkpoint: unknown
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 Portland Airport that provide free airport shuttles. The airport shuttles depart from the “Courtesy Shuttles” island outside the baggage claim.
- Sheraton Hotel » Check Rates
- Hampton Inn » Check Rates
- Embassy Suites by Hilton » Check Rates
- Country Inn & Suites » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites » Check Rates
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 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 learn how to gain 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 Lounge –The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Landside, Mezzanine Level, near the PDX Conference Center.
Related Pages: Portland Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
Thirsty? Refill your water bottles at water fountains throughout the terminal.
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the airport operate on varying schedules, with some opening as early as 4:00 AM and closing as late as midnight. For grab-and-go food, head to the Your Northwest Travel Mart on the landside, which is open 24 hours.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Luggage Services and Logistics provides luggage storage services. Location: north end of the baggage claim, past carousel 10. Hours: 8:30 AM – 1:30 AM.
Mobile Charging
A reader tells us, “Most seating areas have chargers, especially in the remodelled areas. Older areas (notably C) have some seats with chargers and wall plugs, but not enough charging for every single passenger.” (March 2024)
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Portland Airport. Connect to the “flypdx” network.
More Airport Information
Barber Shop – Treat yourself to a haircut or an old-fashioned shave at The Barbers. Location: Oregon Market. Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Mon-Fri), 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Sat) and 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Sun).
Duty-Free & Shopping – At the time of this update, it is unknown 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 are airside near Capers Café (near the South Lobby) and Gate D2.
- Children’s Play Area – Locations: Airside, Concourse C, near Gate C17 • Airside, Concourse D, near Gate D7.
Information Desk – Information booths are at the airport’s two 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, you can teleconference with a physician at the pharmacy if you are not feeling well. See Pharmacy below.
- Pharmacy – Providence Express Care provides over-the-counter medications. Location: Airside, South Lobby. Hours: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
Money
- 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 and Airside.
- Currency Exchange – Travelex kiosks are available in two locations: Baggage Claim, landside. Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Mon-Fri) 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Sat & Sun) and Concourse D, airside. Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM (daily).
Shoe Shine – Services are offered at The Barbers. Location: Concourse C, Airside, at Gate C4. Hours: 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
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: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Sun-Wed), 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM (Thurs & Fri) and 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (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 a laptop, tablet, etc. Kiosk locations: Near Gates C10, C12, C13 & C15, D4, E2 & E3.
- Movie Theater – Hollywood Theatre and PDX Art Program partnered 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.
Car Rentals
The following car rental agencies are available onsite: Avis • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National. Alamo • Budget. Thrifty is located off-site but provides a 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 details and the availability of shuttle service.
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: 2024-08-26
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.