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 main terminal (North Terminal) with four concourses: Concourses B and C on the south side and Concourses D and E on the north 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 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. The 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.

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 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. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Portland Airport Guide.

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.

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 landside. Overnight airside access is limited and generally closes unless you are already in transit with a valid boarding pass. Travellers arriving late for early-morning flights may be asked to remain landside until airline counters and TSA reopen.

Airline check-in and baggage drop hours vary by airline and flight schedule. TSA security checkpoint hours are also schedule-based:

ABC Checkpoint: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
DE Checkpoint: 4:00 AM – 1:00 AM

Rest & Relaxation Zones

There are no dedicated sleeping areas at Portland airport. Some concourses have padded benches and quieter corners, but seating with armrests is common.

A reader reports that PDX has a sensory room with low lighting, lounge-style seating, and calming features. It is located airside in Concourse D, near Gate D10. While designed primarily for autistic travellers and those with sensory needs, other travellers may be permitted to use it briefly for quiet rest. Reported hours: 4:00 AM – 12:30 AM (reader report, April 2025). If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Cots

Cots are not offered to stranded travellers at PDX. 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 Portland Airport that provide free airport shuttles. The airport shuttles depart from the “Courtesy Shuttles” island outside the baggage claim.

Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel (0.8 mi / 1.3 km) – Upscale hotel.
Hampton Inn (0.8 mi / 1.3 km) – Mid-range hotel.
Country Inn & Suites (1.0 mi / 1.6 km) – Mid-range hotel.
Tru by Hilton (1.0 mi / 1.6 km) – Budget hotel.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites (1.2 mi / 1.9 km) – Mid-range hotel.

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.

Escape Lounge – Location: Concourse D, Airside, between Gates D8 and D10. Hours: 4:30 AM – 12:00 AM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door ($30) • Prepaid lounge passes • Priority Pass • DragonPass • American Express Platinum and Centurion Cards • Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card (when travelling on an eligible Delta flight).
Alaska Lounge – Location: Airside, South Hall, Mezzanine Level. Hours: 4:30 AM – 10:30 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes – quiet spaces and Alaska’s signature lounge chairs. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Single-visit lounge passes • Alaska Lounge and Lounge+ memberships • Eligible First Class passengers • Eligible oneworld passengers and elite members.
United Club – Location: Concourse E, Airside, across from Gate E1. Lounge Access: One-time pass with same-day eligible boarding pass • United Club membership • Eligible United/Star Alliance premium passengers • Star Alliance Gold members • Eligible United credit cards.

Airline Lounges (members only)

Delta Sky Club – Location: Concourse D, Airside. Lounge Access: Eligible Delta One and premium-cabin passengers • Delta Sky Club membership (eligible existing members) • Eligible SkyTeam premium passengers and elite members • Select American Express cards.

Drinking Water

Thirsty? Free water bottle refill stations are available throughout the terminal, both landside and airside.

Food & Drinks

Food outlets operate on limited and varying schedules, with most closing overnight. Some venues open as early as 4:00 AM, while many close by late evening. For overnight travellers, Your Northwest Travel Mart (landside) is reported to be open 24 hours and offers packaged snacks and drinks.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Luggage storage and lockers are not available due to security policies. If this information has changed, click here to update the guide.

Mobile Charging

Free mobile charging is available airside near the gates.

A reader notes: “Most seating areas have chargers, especially in the remodeled areas. Older sections (notably Concourse C) have some outlets and USB ports, but not enough for every passenger.” (March 2024)

Showers

Showers are not available. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

WiFi / Internet

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

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Barber Shop – Need a trim before your flight? The Barbers offers haircuts and traditional shaves. Open daily, with shorter hours on weekends.
Duty-Free & Shopping – At the time of this update, it’s unclear whether duty-free shopping is available. The airport does have a modest selection of shops both landside and airside for browsing and basic travel needs.

Family Services

Baby Care Facilities – Designated nursing rooms are available airside near Capers Café (South Lobby) and near Gate D2.
Children’s Play Area – Two small play areas are available airside in Concourse C and Concourse D, giving kids a place to burn off energy before boarding.

Information Desk – Information booths are located at the airport’s two main entrances.

Luggage

Baggage Carts – Baggage carts are available throughout the terminal through Smarte Carte. Fees apply.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.

Medical Services

Medical Services – There is no on-site medical clinic, but travellers can teleconference with a physician at the airport pharmacy if needed.
Pharmacy – Providence Express Care offers over-the-counter medications and basic health items. Open daily with limited evening hours.

Money

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available landside and airside. Fees may apply depending on your bank.
Currency Exchange – Travelex kiosks are available landside in baggage claim and airside in Concourse D, with limited daytime hours.

Shoe Shine – Shoe shine services are offered through The Barbers at an airside location in Concourse C, typically during morning and early afternoon hours.
SIM Cards – A reader reports that SIM cards may be available at the InMotion store in Concourse D.
Spa – The Dragontree Spa offers chair, foot, and full-body massage services airside. Hours vary by day.

Things to do & see

Art in the Airport – Rotating art exhibits and occasional live music performances are displayed throughout the terminal.
Entertainment – Digiboo kiosks allow travellers to download movies and shows to personal devices at select gates.
Movie Theater – A small, free movie theatre in Concourse C shows short films about the Pacific Northwest on a continuous loop. Seating is limited, and films are family-friendly.

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 is located off-site but provides a courtesy shuttle service from the airport’s lower roadway near the parking garage.

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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. 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.

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: 2026-01-16

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.