Sleeping in Airports

Cleveland Airport Guide

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

CLE 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 Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

What to Expect

cleveland airport guideCleveland Airport (code: CLE) comprises a mid-size, user-friendly terminal with three concourses (A, B and C) and 50 departure gates. There is a moderate selection of eateries and shops on both the landside and airside, and WiFi is available to help pass the time. For additional comfort, economy class passengers can pay to access one of the airport’s private lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates.

Sleeping in Cleveland 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 re-open. Travellers report that airport staff and security are friendly and accommodating to overnight sleepers and that there are some relatively comfortable spots for sleeping. Leather booths near the food court may be an option, though the food court opens at 5:00 AM, so don’t expect to sleep in. Music from the P.A. system was cited as one sleep hindrance, so bring earplugs/noise-cancelling headphones.  Consider a travel mat and/or sleeping bag if you plan to sleep on the floor. For uninterrupted sleep, there are some hotels within a quick shuttle ride of the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read 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 website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Cleveland 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 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 or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!

  • The Club CLE – Location: Main Terminal, Airside, Concourse B gates. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs & rewards (Diners Club, Mastercard Airport Experiences, Lounge Key, Priority Pass). Hours: 4:30 AM – 9:30 PM.
  • United Club – Location: Concourse C, Airside, just past gate 14. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door with proof of United Airlines ticket • United Club Membership. Hours: 5:00AM – 5:00 PM.

Military Lounge

  • USO Lounge – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Baggage Claim area, Carousel 1. Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Mon-Fri) • 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Sat & Sun).

Related Pages: Cleveland Airport Lounges

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Cleveland Airport that provide free airport shuttles:

  • Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel – The only hotel located on airport grounds.   » Check Rates
  • Holiday Inn Express Cleveland Airport Brook Park   » Check Rates
  • Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Airport   » Check Rates

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

wifiAirport WiFi / Internet

Free unlimited WiFi is available at Cleveland Airport.

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

Art in the Airport – Rotating art exhibitions are displayed throughout the airport.

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: Both landside and airside.

Baby Care Facilities – A mother and baby room offers two separate areas for private breastfeeding, outlets, a sink and a changing table. Location: Airside, Concourse B, near gate 1.

Currency Exchange – Travelex offers currency exchange at these locations: Main Terminal, landside, Baggage Claim, near Door 5. Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM • Main Terminal, airside, near Gates C2 and C3. Hours: 6:00 AM – 7:30 PM (Sun-Fri) & 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Sat).

Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-Free shopping is not available. The airport offers a small variety of shops, including ten Hudson News stores for any last-minute items.

Food & Drinks – There are several food options throughout the airport. If you are stuck in the airport overnight, Dunkin Donuts is open 24 hours (Location: Main Terminal, Food Court).

Information Desk – Location, Main Terminal, near Security Checkpoint B. Hours: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily.

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.

Mobile Charging – Mobile charging and workstations can be found at the entrances to Concourses A and B.

Pet Relief Area – Location: Main concourse between central and north checkpoint • Outside between parking garage and terminal entrance.

Pharmacy – A Shop All pharmacy vending machine sells over-the-counter medical and hygiene products. Location: Gate A5 and C14.

Postal Services – Drop off your last-minute postcards at the airport’s mailbox. Location: near the North Security Checkpoint (across from Spirit Airlines check-in).

Prayer Area – The Interfaith Center offers peace and quiet for prayer and meditation. Location: Concourse B, airside, just after the security checkpoint. Hours: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM.

Rest Zones – No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Salon and Spa – Treat yourself to a relaxing foot massage or nail treatment at Aircuts & Day Spa. Hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Mon-Fri) & 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Sun). Location: Concourse C.

Shoe Shine – Services are available at gates A1, B4 and C2.

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.

Walking Paths – When your idea of airport exercise doesn’t include tight connections and frantic running to the next gate, enjoy your time at the airport with a more leisurely stroll or power walk along one of the designated walking paths. CLE Health Walk self-guided walking routes are located in all three concourses. Look for the signs.

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 (landside), you cannot get through to the secure area (airside) until the morning. The TSA security screening checkpoint hours vary according to location:

  • North Checkpoint: 4:00 AM until last flight or as needed.
  • Central Checkpoint: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • South Checkpoint: 3:30 AM – 7:15 PM

airlinesAirlines

Cleveland Airport is served by the following airlines: Aer Lingus • Air Canada • Alaska Airlines • American Airlines • Delta Air Lines • Frontier Airlines • Jetblue • Southwest Airlines • Spirit Airlines • United Airlines.

transportationAirport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

 Car Rentals

Onsite car rental agencies are housed within a separate designated facility, connected to the main airport terminal via a 24-hour courtesy shuttle service (total trip time is 5 – 7 minutes). Car rental shuttles stop on the lower roadway island, accessible via Door 7 on the baggage claim level. The following car rental agencies are available: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Thrifty. Visit our travel partner at Tripadvisor to search for car rental deals.

Hotel Shuttles

Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service:  Aloft Cleveland Airport   •    Cleveland Airport Marriott   •   Courtyard by Marriott Cleveland Airport North  •    Crowne Plaza Hotel Cleveland Airport   •  Four Points by Sheraton Cleveland Airport  •   Hampton Inn and Suites Cleveland Airport / Middleburg Heights   •  Hampton Inn North Olmsted Cleveland Airport   •    Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Airport   •   Holiday Inn Express Brookpark – Cleveland Airport   •   La Quinta Inn & Suites Cleveland Airport West   •  La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Cleveland – Airport North  •     Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel   •  Sonesta ES Suites Cleveland Airport  •   Travelodge by Wyndham Cleveland Airport  •    Wyndham Cleveland Airport.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Ride Share

Ride Share pick-up and drop-off can be coordinated on either the upper (departures) or lower (arrivals) roadways. The authorized ride-share companies are Uber and Lyft.

Shuttles

Airport Oberlin Shuttle offers scheduled service between CLE Airport and Oberlin College. Oberlin Shuttles stop outside on the Ticketing Level, opposite the Southwest Airlines ticket counters.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available on a 24-hour basis, picking up passengers outside near the orange wall on the south end of the baggage claim area, near Carousel 11. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required.

Train

Cleveland Hopkins Airport is linked to Tower City Station in downtown Cleveland via RTA “Red Line” rail service. Departures are every 15 minutes, and the total trip time between the airport and downtown Cleveland is about 30 minutes. The airport RTA station is located on the lower level of the main terminal. For route maps, timetables and fares, visit the RTA website.

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.