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), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 1 terminal, airside-connected
  • Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 15 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 1 hr 30 min before domestic, 2 hr 30 min before international
  • To Cleveland: about 25 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes

Terminals & connections

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has 1 terminal. All are airside-connected; you can transfer between them without re-clearing security.

Main Terminal (Concourses A, B, C, D)

9 airlines: United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, and more

Single terminal, all airside-connected.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
30 min
Domestic to international
45 min
International to domestic
1 hr 15 min
International to international
1 hr
Transfer system
Walking only (airside-connected)
Airside connected
Yes

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave CLE.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at CLE is 15 minutes at peak and 5 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 1 hr 30 min before a domestic flight and 2 hr 30 min before international.

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 C

United / 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 25 min from downtown Cleveland by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
RTA Red Line rapid transit
Train
Direct rail to downtown Cleveland; CLE was the first US airport with rail transit connection.
 $3 25-30 min
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
 $25-$40 15-30 min

Parking

CLE parking ranges from $11/day economy to $30/day short-term.

Short-term
$30/day
Long-term
$17/day
Economy
$11/day
Valet
Not available

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 50 min plus re-screening on return.

Red Line rail to downtown Cleveland in 25 min. Rock Hall is a quick layover trip.

Overnight layover hotels

  • Sheraton Cleveland Airport
    5-min shuttle
    $$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at CLE?

Arrive at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight from CLE, and 150 minutes before an international flight.

What is the minimum connection time at CLE?

CLE requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 75 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. All concourses are airside-connected, so you do not need to re-clear security when changing concourses.

How long does it take to get between terminals at CLE?

Budget 5 min for same-terminal transfers and 10 min for different-terminal transfers at CLE via Walking only (airside-connected).

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 50 minutes plus re-screening. Red Line rail to downtown Cleveland in 25 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 $3, taking 25-30 minutes. Direct rail to downtown Cleveland; CLE was the first US airport with rail transit connection.

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. Typical peak-hour wait is 15 minutes.

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: $30/day short-term, $17/day long-term, $11/day economy. Book online in advance for significant discounts vs. drive-up rates.

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 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers CLE ranks well for quick layovers With sleep pods See which airports offer capsule hotels and nap rooms Shortest MCT CLE dom-to-dom: 30 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 15 min

Airlines operating at CLE

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of CLE.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Cleveland Hopkins International Airport before flying.