STL · St. Louis, MO · Large Hub
St. Louis Lambert International Airport Guide
Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), sourced from the airport or the operator that runs each service, with minimums from OAG data.
Quick answer
- Terminals: 2 terminals
- Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
- Arrive: Follow your airline's check-in deadline
- To St. Louis: about 45 min one-way
- Free WiFi: Yes
Map
Terminals & connections
St. Louis Lambert International Airport has 2 terminals. Transfer system: Free landside shuttle between T1 and T2. Terminals are separate; shuttle + re-security required for transfers.
Terminal 1 (Main)
6 airlines: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Air Canada
Legacy and international carriers.
Terminal 2 (East)
2 airlines: Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines
Low-cost carriers and Southwest.
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
- Free landside shuttle between T1 and T2
- Airside connected
- Not published
Layover helper
Find how long to plan for a connection at STL: 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 STL? Embed this connection time calculator on your site
Security & TSA
Security waits at STL vary by time of day and checkpoint. We have not confirmed a standard arrival time published by STL, so follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines. Check live STL security wait times
- TSA PreCheck
- Available
- CLEAR
- Available
- Global Entry
- Available
Amenities
4 of 7 core amenities available at STL: 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
Both terminals
Chapel
Available
Terminal 1
Pet relief areas
Available
Pet relief areas
Dining highlights
Terminal 1: Schlafly, Pasta House Co.
Ground transport to St. Louis
STL is about 45 min from downtown St. Louis by the fastest transit option.
| Option | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
MetroLink Red Line Train Direct light rail to downtown St. Louis. | $2.50 | about 45 min |
Uber/Lyft Rideshare | Varies | Varies |
Parking
STL parking ranges from $11/day economy to $31/day short-term. Official Super Park daily rates: Terminal 1 Garage $31, Terminal 2 Garage $33, Lot A $20, Lot B $14, Lot C $15 covered or $12 uncovered, Lot D $11, Lot E $27 plus a $10 reservation fee (reservation-only). Terminal 1 Garage is shown as the short-term rate, Lot A as long-term, and Lot D as economy.
- Short-term
- $31/day
- Long-term
- $20/day
- Economy
- $11/day
- Valet
- Not published
Can I leave STL during a layover?
Yes, STL is close enough to St. Louis that a 3-hour layover is workable. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of St. Louis. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr 30 min plus re-screening on return.
MetroLink reaches downtown St. Louis in about 45 min. 3+ hour layovers can make a quick Arch visit.
Overnight layover hotels
- $$Hilton St. Louis Airport5-min shuttle
Frequently asked questions
How early should I arrive at STL?
We have not confirmed a standard arrival time published by St. Louis Lambert International Airport, so follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, so add buffer at busy times.
What is the minimum connection time at STL?
STL requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. Transfer system: Free landside shuttle between T1 and T2.
How long does it take to get between terminals at STL?
We have no officially published terminal-to-terminal transfer time for STL, so plan around the minimum connection time and add time for the terminal change.
Can I leave STL during a 3-hour layover?
Yes, STL is close enough to St. Louis that 3-hour layovers are workable. Round-trip to the city center is about 90 minutes plus re-screening. MetroLink reaches downtown St. Louis in about 45 min. 3+ hour layovers can make a quick Arch visit.
Does STL have showers?
STL does not have dedicated public showers. Paid lounge access is typically required for shower facilities.
Does STL have sleep pods?
STL does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.
Is WiFi free at STL?
Yes. STL offers free WiFi throughout the airport.
What is the cheapest way to get from STL to St. Louis?
The cheapest option is typically MetroLink Red Line at $2.50, taking about 45 minutes. Direct light rail to downtown St. Louis.
Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at STL?
STL 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 STL posts live wait times on its website.
Where should I eat at STL during a layover?
Notable dining at STL includes Schlafly (Terminal 1), Pasta House Co. (Terminal 1).
How much does parking cost at STL?
STL parking rates: $31/day short-term, $20/day long-term, $11/day economy. Official Super Park daily rates: Terminal 1 Garage $31, Terminal 2 Garage $33, Lot A $20, Lot B $14, Lot C $15 covered or $12 uncovered, Lot D $11, Lot E $27 plus a $10 reservation fee (reservation-only). Terminal 1 Garage is shown as the short-term rate, Lot A as long-term, and Lot D as economy.
Is there a hotel at STL for overnight layovers?
The closest option is Hilton St. Louis Airport (5-min shuttle, $$). Budget time for the shuttle or rideshare in your overnight plan.
Which terminal does my airline use at STL?
STL has 2 terminals. Major airline assignments: Terminal 1 (Main): American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines; Terminal 2 (East): Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.
Are there pet relief areas at STL?
Yes. Pet relief areas.
Is there a chapel or prayer room at STL?
Yes. Terminal 1.
Compare STL to other airports
See how STL ranks against the other 111 airports in our dataset.
Airlines operating at STL
Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of STL.
Compare other airports
Sources & verification
- Overview: https://www.flystl.com
- Ground transport: https://www.flystl.com/parking-transportation/ https://www.metrostlouis.org/fares-and-passes/ https://www.metrostlouis.org/sheen/
- Terminals: https://www.flystl.com/terminal-maps
- 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
- Parking: https://www.flystl.com/parking-transportation/terminal-1-parking/
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Lambert_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 St. Louis Lambert International Airport before flying.
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