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Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Richmond 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.
Quick Links
Outside of security, there is one very good place to sleep: at the base of the escalator -a traveller
RIC 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 Richmond International Airport.
What to Expect
Richmond Airport (code: RIC) consists of a recently renovated terminal building with two concourses and 22 gates. There are approximately a dozen eateries and shops with locations on both the airside and landside. WiFi is available to help pass the time. There are no private lounges at this airport.
Sleeping in Richmond Airport
After security checkpoints close for the night, passengers are restricted to landside only. Passengers sleeping airside will be required to return to landside until security reopens, and will need to clear security again to re-enter. Check out the Business Center on the 2nd floor near the Ticketing area. Access is unrestricted, and the room is usually quiet and empty. One reviewer slept in the corner near the entrance doors, across from the Ticketing counters. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Richmond 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.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours. Security checkpoints are open 4:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Keep in mind that airline check-in and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check with your airline. If you are in the public area (landside), you will not be able to access the secure area (airside) until screening opens in 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.
Cots
The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Richmond Airport that provide free airport shuttles:
- Courtyard Richmond Airport – Mid-range hotel, approx. 5 minutes from the airport.
- Sheraton Richmond Airport – Upscale hotel, approx. 5 minutes from the airport.
- Best Western Plus Richmond Airport Hotel -Mid-range hotel, approx. 5 minutes from the airport.
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Richmond Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
There are no pay-per-use lounges at the airport.
Military Lounge
USO Lounge – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: on the lower level to the left of the escalators.
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
Food & Drinks
Food concessions operate on varying schedules. There are no 24-hour dining options.
Caribou Coffee (Concourses A and B) and The Market on Board (Concourse B) are among the available options. Hours: typically from 5:00 AM to the last departure.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
We did not have information about mobile charging availability at the time of this update. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available. Connect to the “RIC Free WiFi” network.
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
Note: Locations, hours, and rates may change. Information is provided for general reference only.
- ATMs / Cash Machines – ATMs are available. Fees may apply. Location: Airside, 2nd level.
- Baby Care Facilities – A baby care room for nursing is available on the upper level in both concourses.
- Baggage Carts – Baggage carts are available in the baggage claim area.
- Banking Services – Not available.
- Business Center – Workstations with WiFi and LAN connections are available. Conference rooms can be rented. Location: Upper-level connector, landside, near the security checkpoints.
- Chapel – Interfaith chapel. Location: Lower level. Open 24 hours.
- Currency Exchange – Not available.
- Duty-Free & Shopping – No duty-free shops are available. Hudson News has two locations, including one landside.
- Information Desk – Visitor Information Center provides airport and local area information. Location: Lower level.
Bus
The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) connects the airport to most areas throughout the Richmond metropolitan area. For route maps, schedules and fare information, visit the GRTC website.
Car Rentals
Car rental services are available on the terminal’s lower level, near the central entrance. On-site car rental agencies include Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Payless.
Hotel Shuttles
See Airport Hotels above.
Taxis
Taxis are available curbside at the center section on the lower level between the North and South parking garages during airport hours of operation. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required.
Last updated: 2026-03-26
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.