CLE · Cleveland, OH · Large Hub
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Guide
Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), sourced from the airport or the operator that runs each service, with minimums from OAG data.
Quick answer
- Terminals: 1 terminal
- Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
- Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international (airport's advice)
- To Cleveland: about 30 min one-way
- Free WiFi: Yes
Map
Terminals & connections
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has 1 terminal. Transfer system: Walking only.
Main Terminal (Concourses A, B, C)
8 airlines: United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, and more
Single terminal.
Minimum connection times
- Domestic to domestic
- 30 min
- Domestic to international
- 1 hr
- International to domestic
- 1 hr 30 min
- International to international
- 1 hr 30 min
- Transfer system
- Walking only
- Airside connected
- Not published
Layover helper
Find how long to plan for a connection at CLE: the official minimum connection time, plus a comfortable time of 30 minutes more, or 60 more when you clear customs or go through security again after a terminal change. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.
Writing about CLE? Embed this connection time calculator on your site
Security & TSA
Security waits at CLE vary by time of day and checkpoint. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Check live CLE security wait times
- TSA PreCheck
- Available
- CLEAR
- Available
- Global Entry
- Available
Lounges
1 notable lounge at CLE, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.
United Club
Concourse CUnited / Star Alliance
Access: United Club membership, Polaris
Amenities: Bar
Amenities
4 of 7 core amenities available at CLE: free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.
Showers
Not available
Sleep pods
Not available
WiFi
Free (good)
Nursing rooms
Available
Multiple locations
Chapel
Available
Concourse A
Pet relief areas
Available
Pet relief areas
Dining highlights
Concourse C: Great Lakes Brewing Co., Bar Louie
Ground transport to Cleveland
CLE is about 30 min from downtown Cleveland by the fastest transit option.
| Option | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
RTA Red Line rapid transit Train Direct rail to downtown Cleveland (Tower City Station); the first rapid transit link to an airport in North America. | $2.50 | up to 30 min |
Uber/Lyft Rideshare | Varies | Varies |
Parking
CLE parking ranges from $15/day economy to $26/day short-term. Smart Garage $26/day (covered, attached); Orange Lot $21/day (surface); Blue Lot $24/day (covered); Premium Red Lot $29/day (reserved); Brown Lot $15/day (shuttle, cheapest); Curbside Valet $37/day. CLEvolution terminal modernization underway; Orange Lot availability may be affected.
- Short-term
- $26/day
- Long-term
- $21/day
- Economy
- $15/day
- Valet
- $37/day
Can I leave CLE during a layover?
Yes, CLE is close enough to Cleveland that a 3-hour layover is workable. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Cleveland. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr plus re-screening on return.
Red Line rail reaches downtown Cleveland's Tower City in under 30 min. Rock Hall is a quick layover trip.
Overnight layover hotels
- $$Sheraton Cleveland Airport5-min shuttle
Frequently asked questions
How early should I arrive at CLE?
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, so add buffer at busy times.
What is the minimum connection time at CLE?
CLE requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. Transfer system: Walking only.
Can I leave CLE during a 3-hour layover?
Yes, CLE is close enough to Cleveland that 3-hour layovers are workable. Round-trip to the city center is about 60 minutes plus re-screening. Red Line rail reaches downtown Cleveland's Tower City in under 30 min. Rock Hall is a quick layover trip.
Does CLE have showers?
CLE does not have dedicated public showers. Paid lounge access is typically required for shower facilities.
Does CLE have sleep pods?
CLE does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.
Is WiFi free at CLE?
Yes. CLE offers free WiFi throughout the airport.
What is the cheapest way to get from CLE to Cleveland?
The cheapest option is typically RTA Red Line rapid transit at $2.50, taking up to 30 minutes. Direct rail to downtown Cleveland (Tower City Station); the first rapid transit link to an airport in North America.
Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at CLE?
CLE supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, and CLE posts live wait times on its website.
Where should I eat at CLE during a layover?
Notable dining at CLE includes Great Lakes Brewing Co. (Concourse C), Bar Louie (Concourse C).
How much does parking cost at CLE?
CLE parking rates: $26/day short-term, $21/day long-term, $15/day economy, $37/day valet. Smart Garage $26/day (covered, attached); Orange Lot $21/day (surface); Blue Lot $24/day (covered); Premium Red Lot $29/day (reserved); Brown Lot $15/day (shuttle, cheapest); Curbside Valet $37/day. CLEvolution terminal modernization underway; Orange Lot availability may be affected.
Is there a hotel at CLE for overnight layovers?
The closest option is Sheraton Cleveland Airport (5-min shuttle, $$). Budget time for the shuttle or rideshare in your overnight plan.
Are there pet relief areas at CLE?
Yes. Pet relief areas.
Is there a chapel or prayer room at CLE?
Yes. Concourse A.
Compare CLE to other airports
See how CLE ranks against the other 111 airports in our dataset.
Airlines operating at CLE
Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of CLE.
Compare other airports
Sources & verification
- Overview: https://www.clevelandairport.com
- Ground transport: https://www.clevelandairport.com/parking-transportation/ground-transportation/public-transportation https://www.riderta.com/fares/regular https://www.riderta.com/airportservice
- Terminals: https://www.clevelandairport.com/airport/amenities/connection-stations
- Connection times: https://www.expertflyer.com/air/travel-information https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/WelcomeToTheUS.pdf
- Security: https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/schedule https://www.clevelandairport.com/airport/tsa-security
- Parking: https://www.clevelandairport.com/parking-transportation/parking-map-locations
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Hopkins_International_Airport
Connection times, security, ground transport and parking verified Oct 2026 against the sources above. Amenities, lounges and nearby hotels without a listed source are not yet verified. Always confirm with Cleveland Hopkins International Airport before flying.
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