St. Louis Lambert International Airport
STL
St. Louis Lambert International Airport, IATA: STL, ICAO: KSTL, FAA LID: STL, is the primary airport in St. Louis, Missouri. STL is the biggest and busiest airport in the state of Missouri. It has a land area of 3,793 acres and lies 14 miles northwest of Downtown St. Louis. The airport was called Lambert Field or, more simply, Lambert-St. Louis. Named after Albert Bond Lambert, pilot and prominent St. Louis citizen and Olympian, the airport gained worldwide recognition in the twentieth century. The Charles Lindbergh-powered aircraft, the establishment of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) and its exclusive relationship with Trans World Airlines, and its original airport terminal have all contributed to its renown. The airport can currently fly non-stop to all major U.S. airports and the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, and Europe.
Airlines and Destinations
Several large air carriers currently service St. Louis Lambert International Airport, allowing passengers to select from a wide range of providers. The airport's biggest airlines are Southwest Airlines, which has a hub at STL, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, which fly to and from major destinations. In total, STL operates nonstop flights to 73 locations in five countries. The longest STL flight is the 2,845-mile route to Frankfurt, Germany. It takes a flight time of 8 hours. STL reintroduced its first-ever direct service to Europe in 2022, and it remains active.
Passenger numbers and flights
Nearly 16 million passengers used St. Louis Lambert International Airport in 2019. With passenger traffic up year over year, the airport anticipates 2023 will feature more than 270 daily departures to more than 80 nonstop domestic and international destinations.
How to Get Here
It serves as a major hub for commuters flying in and out of St. Louis, located 14 miles (23 km) northwest of downtown along the I-270 travel path at Lambert International Airport. Visitors can get to the airport by car, taxi, or rideshare (like Uber), but also by public transport.
- By Car: The airport is located on Interstate 70 and accessible by taking I-170. Be sure to follow signs for "Lambert International Airport" or use the address 10701 Lambert International Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63145.
- Take the MetroLink light rail: The airport is easily accessible via public transportation, with a stop at St. Louis Lambert International Airport that connects thousands of passengers to and from various points around our regional transit system.
Parking
Parking at Terminal 1: $23/day
Long-Term (Terminal 2) Parking: $23/day
Lot A: $15 per day
Lot B: $10 per day
Lot C: $9 per day
Look for off-site parking lots as well; Courtyard by Marriott St. Louis Airport Earth City (Marriott.com) provides free shuttle service from the hotel to the airport, and transportation can be arranged upon booking your room.
Transportation Prices
The price of getting to and from St. Louis Lambert International Airport varies depending on the method. These are the rough prices to give you an idea:
- Taxi: To downtown St. Louis, around $40-$50
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): ~$25-$35 from downtown St. Louis
- MetroLink Light Rail: $2.50 each way in and out of downtown St. Louis
Terminal Layout
This airport has 2 main terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Terminal 1 is the biggest of the two terminals and is separated into Concourses A, B, C, and D – this terminal includes most airlines at STL, such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines.
Southwest Airlines uses this terminal, which has two concourses, E and F.
There is also a shuttle service from one terminal to another, which connects the two terminals.
Navigate the Airport
St. Louis Lambert International Airport is very easy to navigate with clear signage and a straightforward layout. To get you started, here are a few suggestions:
- Terminal 1: The main terminal responsible for ticketing, baggage claim, and most amenities of the airport.
- Terminal 2—which is mostly served by Southwest Airlines—offers its own security checkpoint and amenities.
- Shuttle buses operate frequently from one terminal to the other, which simplifies your travel between these two.
- Clear signage directs passengers to gates, security checkpoints, and more throughout the terminals.
Getting Between Terminals
At St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), passengers can easily shuttle between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 for free. Those shuttles operate frequently, with buses leaving every 10 to 15 minutes, facilitating easy travel between the two terminals.
Also, the shuttle service runs 24/7 so travelers can make use of it whenever they land. Driving from one terminal to the other takes between 5-10 minutes without traffic or passengers.
Services and Amenities
St. Louis Lambert International Airport, a world-class city, provides passengers with a variety of services and amenities as they travel through the terminal. These include:
- Free Wi-Fi in all terminals
- Many ATMs and Forex services
- Nursing rooms and Family restrooms
- Pet relief areas
- Charging stations for electronic devices
- Lost and found services
- Free luggage trolleys and left baggage services
Restaurants and Shops
St. Louis Lambert International Airport has a selection of dining and shopping options for travelers on the go. Some of the famous dining places and restaurants include:
Restaurants:
- Starbucks
- Crushed Red (self-serve pizza kiosk)
- Café Napoli (regional Italian)
- Budweiser Brew House
- Chili's Too
Shops:
- Hudson News (also a convenience store and newsstand)
- Brooks Brothers
- Brookstone
- The Body Shop
- Duty-free shops
Security and Customs
This airport has three security checkpoints: Terminal 1 checkpoints A and C, and another at the only terminal, Terminal 2. The checkpoints are open during regular airport hours, which is usually from 4:00 a.m. through 11:00 p.m.
For international travelers, the airport has Global Entry kiosks for expedited clearance of pre-approved passengers. However, there is no on-site Global Entry Enrollment Center at STL. The closest location to the airport is near the property in St. Louis at 4349 Woodson Road, #201, St. Louis, Missouri, 63134, located off-airport premises.
Accessibility
St. Louis Lambert International Airport is dedicated to providing all travelers and future passengers a welcoming experience while maintaining accessibility for those who require specialized services due to their physical condition or disabilities. The accessibility at the airport is as follows:
- Wheelchair and Electric Cart assistance
- Disabled parking and drop-off/pick-up areas
- Tactile maps and Braille signage
- Loop systems and Assistive Listening Devices
- Service animal relief areas
- ADA Restrooms and Family Restrooms
Travel Tips
Travel tips for St. Louis Lambert International Airport:
- Report to the airport 2 hours before your flight time, especially during high-traffic travel seasons.
- Visit your airline's website or the airport website for updated security timing and any terminal-specific instructions.
- Utilize the free Wi-Fi at the airport to stay connected or productive while in the airport.
- If you have a long layover, take the time to explore — the City Museum and other attractions are nearby in downtown St. Louis.
- Get to know the airport: where its terminals are and how long it takes to go from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2.