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

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 2 terminals, not airside-connected (re-security between some)
  • 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 St. Louis: about 30 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes

Terminals & connections

St. Louis Lambert International Airport has 2 terminals. Not all terminals are airside-connected; transfers between some terminals require exiting security and re-clearing TSA. 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)

3 airlines: Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines

Low-cost carriers and Southwest.

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
Free landside shuttle between T1 and T2
Airside connected
No

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 STL.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at STL is 20 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

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 30 min from downtown St. Louis by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
MetroLink Red Line
Train
Direct light rail to downtown St. Louis.
 $4 30-40 min
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
 $25-$40 20-35 min

Parking

STL parking ranges from $8/day economy to $30/day short-term.

Short-term
$30/day
Long-term
$15/day
Economy
$8/day
Valet
Not available

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 plus re-screening on return.

MetroLink to the Gateway Arch in 30 min. 3+ hour layovers can make a quick Arch visit.

Overnight layover hotels

  • Hilton St. Louis Airport
    5-min shuttle
    $$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at STL?

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

What is the minimum connection time at STL?

STL requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 75 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. STL terminals are not all airside-connected; expect to re-clear security between some terminals. Transfer system: Free landside shuttle between T1 and T2.

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

Budget 8 min for same-terminal transfers and 15 min for different-terminal transfers at STL via Free landside shuttle between T1 and T2. Terminals are separate; shuttle + re-security required for transfers.

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 60 minutes plus re-screening. MetroLink to the Gateway Arch in 30 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 $4, taking 30-40 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. Typical peak-hour wait is 20 minutes.

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: $30/day short-term, $15/day long-term, $8/day economy. Book online in advance for significant discounts vs. drive-up rates.

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, Spirit 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 69 airports in our dataset.

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

Airlines operating at STL

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

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Sources & verification

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