Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our San Antonio 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.
The security confronted me in a very friendly way at midnight and asked to see my ID and boarding pass. After that they let me know I was being locked in and that exiting the emergency doors would set off alarms. After that they said good night. – a traveller
SAT 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 San Antonio International Airport.
What to Expect
Passenger services at San Antonio Airport (code: SAT) are provided in two interconnected, mid-size terminals (A and B) with a decent selection of eateries and shops, though primarily on the airside. When operations close for the night, vending machine options are the only choice for overnight snacking, so plan accordingly. WiFi is available and there are plenty of outlets for charging mobile devices. Additional comfort can be found through fee-based access to the airport’s first class lounge. See our Airport Lounges section for locations and rates.
Sleeping in San Antonio Airport
After security checkpoints close for the night, all passengers are restricted to the landside areas, and must re-clear security the next day when the checkpoints open. Comfortable, armrest-free seating is scarce on the landside, though there are reportedly a few comfortable, armrest-free couches at the far end of baggage claim. Barring this, plan on sleeping on the floor if you intend to spend the night, so make sure you bring a travel mat and/or sleeping bag. Also bring earplugs/noise-cancelling headphones, as the public address system is cited as being especially annoying. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.
Covid-19 Update
Some airport reviews and tips in this guide and elsewhere on the site were written before March 2020 and may no longer be valid. 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 San Antonio 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 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 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!
United Club – Location: Terminal B, Airside, between Gates B3 and B5. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door with proof of United Airlines ticket • United Club Membership.
Military Lounge
USO Lounge – The USO offers a lounge that is free of charge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Terminal B, in baggage claim area, far right side.
Related Pages: San Antonio Airport Lounges
San Antonio Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near San Antonio Airport that provide free airport shuttles:
With Covid restrictions constantly changing, we recommend that you confirm shuttle availability prior to booking and/or prior to your arrival.
- Hampton Inn & Suites » Check Rates
- Drury Inn & Suites » Check Rates
- Pear Tree Inn San Antonio Airport » Check Rates
- TownePlace Suites » Check Rates
- Embassy Suites San Antonio International Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near San Antonio Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at San Antonio Airport. Connect to the “SAIA1”, “WiFi4Public”, or “Airpath4Public” networks.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
Art at the Airport – Permanent and rotating art exhibits are on display throughout 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: Landside, ticketing area ▪ Airside, concourses ▪ Terminal A, baggage claim ▪ Terminal B, food court.
Baby Care Facilities – The airport’s Lactation Rooms offer privacy, comfortable seating and power outlets in three locations: Terminal A, landside, behind the Information Counter next to the restroom ▪ Terminal A, airside ▪ Terminal B, airside. All three rooms are marked with the international sign for breastfeeding. Family restrooms are also available in both Terminals, landside and airside (total of 4 restrooms).
Baggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage carts (Smarte Cartes) are available at curbside and throughout the Terminals. Rate: $5.00 per cart.
Chapel – An interfaith meditation room is located in the Terminal B ticketing lobby. Hours: Open 24 hours.
Currency Exchange – Marcy’s Business Travel Center offers currency exchange, computers with internet access, copy/fax service and travel accessories for sale. Location: Terminal A, landside, Lobby. Hours: 5:30AM – 8:30PM (Daily).
Duty Free & Shopping – UETA Duty-Free shop is located airside in Terminal A, Upper Level, across from Gates A6/A7. Hours: 7:00AM – 9:00PM (Mon-Sat). In addition, a small variety of shops such as news and gift shops are available.
Food & Drinks – Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. At the time of this update, there are no 24-hour dining options.
Information Desk – There is an Information Counter in Terminal A. Hours: unknown. For other assistance and information, look around the airport for one of the friendly and knowledgeable Airport Ambassadors. Their blue vests and cowboy hats make them easy to spot!
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.
Mobile Charging – A reader tells us there are mobile phone chargers in the seats. The location mentioned in the email was Landside, in front of the Delta and Alaska Airlines counters, so we assume there more more once you are airside.
Pet Relief – There are designated areas in the following locations: Terminal B; Landside, adjacent to the West exit, Baggage Claim level • Airside, both Terminals.
Public Phones – The airport’s public phones allow free local and toll calls. Calling card machines are located next to the phones.
Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Shoe Shine – Services are available Airside. Hours and rates: unknown.
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 Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Keep in mind 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 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 checkpoints open 3:45AM.
Airlines
San Antonio airport is served by the following airlines: Aeroméxico Connect • Alaska Airlines • Allegiant Air • American Airlines • Delta Air Lines • Frontier Airlines • Interjet • American Airlines • Southwest Airlines • United • Volaris.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Bus
VIA bus route 5 runs between SAT airport and downtown San Antonio in a 30-minute ride, with connections available to VIA’s downtown San Antonio streetcar service. At the time of this update, bus fare is $1.30, or for $2.75 you can purchase an all-day pass. For route maps, schedules, and fare information, visit the VIA Metropolitan Transit website.
Car Rentals
The following onsite car rental agency desks are located onsite in the Terminal A baggage claim area: Advantage • Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • EZ Rentals • Fox • Hertz • National • Payless • Sixt • Thrifty. All of the listed agencies provide free shuttle service to their nearby locations, with pick up available outside of the Terminal A baggage claim area (use the courtesy phones).
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Drury Inn & Suites San Antonio Airport • Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio International Airport • Four Points by Sheraton San Antonio Airport • Hampton Inn & Suites San Antonio Airport • Holiday Inn Express San Antonio Airport • La Quinta Inn & Suites San Antonio Airport • SpringHill Suites San Antonio Airport • TownePlace Suites San Antonio Airport.
These hotels can be contacted using the direct-dial courtesy phones available in the baggage claim area, and hotel shuttles pick up in the area outside of baggage claim.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Shuttles
Super Shuttle offers door-to-door shared-ride shuttle service between the airport and downtown San Antonio hotels. Shuttles operate 24 hours a day and tickets can be purchased at their desk (Terminal A, Baggage Claim) between 8:00AM and 12:00AM (after hours visit their website or mobile app). At the time of this update, fares are $15 per person (one-way) or $28 per person (roundtrip).
Taxis
Taxis are available curbside on the lower level, outside of the Terminal A and B baggage claims. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required. The following estimated one-way fares were current at the time of this update: $12 to airport area hotels; $25 – $29 to downtown San Antonio; $48 to Port San Antonio; and $49 to Lackland AFB.
Last updated: 2022-10-28
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, are 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 web sites. 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.
