Columbus Airport Guide: CMH Map, Parking & Concourses

John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) has one passenger terminal with three concourses: A, B, and C. The most important step is to confirm your concourse before entering security, because each concourse has its own TSA checkpoint. CMH is compact compared with many major hubs, but ongoing terminal construction can affect driving and parking. Use this guide to plan the trip, then check the airport’s live pages and your airline app before leaving.

CMH airport guide at a glance

• Airport: John Glenn Columbus International Airport
• Codes: CMH (IATA) and KCMH (ICAO)
• Address: 4600 International Gateway, Columbus, Ohio 43219
• Terminal layout: One terminal with Concourses A, B, and C
• Recommended arrival: At least 90 minutes before a domestic departure and two hours before an international departure, according to the airport
• Parking: Attached garage, Red and Green shuttle lots, and curbside valet; the former Walking Lot closed permanently in May 2026
• Rental cars: Off-terminal rental car center reached by a free purple shuttle operating around the clock

CMH is the main commercial airport for Columbus. Do not confuse it with Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK), a separate airport southeast of the city that handles cargo and some passenger service. Check the airport code on your reservation before driving.

Columbus airport terminal map and concourses

The CMH terminal has ticketing and check-in on the upper level and baggage claim and ground transportation on the lower arrivals level. Concourses A, B, and C branch from the terminal and have separate security checkpoints. Download the airport authority’s current CMH terminal map before your trip or keep it open on your phone.

Use the concourse shown on your boarding pass or airline app. The airport’s current passenger guidance places Southwest in Concourse A; American and United in Concourse B; and Air Canada, Alaska, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, and Sun Country in Concourse C. Airline assignments can change, and Spirit ceased operations in May 2026, so verify with the airport’s live airline directory rather than relying on an old terminal graphic.

If an itinerary requires changing concourses, ask the airline whether you must leave the secure area and pass through another checkpoint. Do not assume a connection works like a large hub with an airside train. Allow extra time, especially on separate tickets.

Security checkpoints and when to arrive

CMH has a TSA checkpoint for each concourse. The airport currently lists all three checkpoints as opening at 4 a.m., with closing times that depend on the day’s flight schedule. Its official recommendation is to enter the terminal at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight and two hours before an international flight. Add more time if you must park in a shuttle lot, check bags, travel with children, or request assistance.

Before leaving home, review the airport’s checkpoint hours and estimated waits. Wait figures are estimates, not guarantees. Travelers age 18 and older also need a REAL ID-compliant license or another TSA-accepted form of identification. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are available, but availability and operating hours can differ by checkpoint.

A practical sequence is:

1. Check in through the airline app and confirm CMH, departure time, and concourse.
2. Review construction and parking conditions.
3. If checking a bag, follow the airline’s bag-drop cutoff—not just the airport’s arrival recommendation.
4. Enter the checkpoint for the concourse printed on the boarding pass.

CMH parking options

The attached garage is the simplest option for walking directly into the terminal. Short-term spaces are on Level 4, while long-term garage parking spans multiple levels. The Red and Green lots cost less and use airport shuttles; the airport says these shuttles operate 24/7 and generally leave the terminal every 15–18 minutes. Valet is available at curbside ticketing.

The old Walking Lot is no longer an option—it closed permanently on May 4, 2026. That change makes older Columbus airport parking articles and maps unreliable. Rates and lot status can also change, so use the official CMH parking page and cost calculator on the day of travel.

Accessible spaces are available in every airport parking area for vehicles displaying a valid permit. Shuttle buses are equipped with lifts for wheelchairs and electric scooters. Garage clearance varies by section, so drivers of tall vehicles should check the posted height information before entering.

Picking up and dropping off passengers

Use the departure curb for an immediate drop-off and the arrivals level for pickup, but never leave a vehicle unattended. Curbside parking is prohibited and can result in a ticket or tow.

For pickup, wait until the passenger has collected baggage and is ready at the curb. CMH provides cell-phone waiting options, including a lot between the control tower and terminal. The Green Lot also has a one-hour grace period under the airport’s current policy. Because construction can alter traffic patterns and entrances, follow airport signs instead of an old saved route. The airport’s pickup and drop-off page lists the current waiting choices.

Rental cars, rideshare, taxis, and public transit

Rental cars

The rental car center is not inside the terminal. From baggage claim, follow the purple signs to the arrivals curb and take a purple airport shuttle. The airport says rental car shuttles run 24 hours a day in both directions. Confirm the agency and reservation details using the official CMH rental car directory.

Uber and Lyft

After requesting a ride, go to arrivals on Level 1, cross the arrivals drive to the ground-transportation area, and follow the numbered columns and app instructions. Do not request the car until you are near the designated pickup area; location pins and curb rules can change during construction.

Taxis and buses

Taxis use the ground-transportation level. COTA is the regional public-transit provider, and its trip planner gives the current route and schedule for a specific destination. Review CMH’s taxi, shuttle, rideshare, and transit instructions before arrival.

Accessibility and passenger assistance

Request wheelchair service directly from the airline, preferably before travel. The airport also provides accessible parking, lift-equipped lot shuttles, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, family restrooms, nursing rooms, tactile Braille signs, visual paging, and Aira visual assistance.

Travelers who need help during screening can contact TSA Cares at least 72 hours before departure. CMH’s Journey Care Kit supports travelers with visible and hidden disabilities, but mailed kits require advance notice. A universal changing table can be deployed to designated family restrooms by calling the number posted by the airport. See the airport’s accessibility page for current contacts and instructions.

Construction: allow extra driving and parking time

CMH Next terminal work is underway, and the airport specifically advises passengers to allow extra time for arrival and parking. Construction notices can change after they are published, including delayed traffic closures, so a dated third-party article is not a dependable source for the day’s route. Check the airport homepage and current alerts immediately before driving to CMH, then follow temporary roadway signs.

Food, shops, and passenger services

Dining and shopping are available before and after security, but the choices vary by concourse. If a specific restaurant matters, check that it is in your concourse before going through security. The Escape Lounge is in Concourse B. Water bottle filling stations, nursing rooms, family restrooms, and airport information staff are available within the terminal.

For a flight delay, cancellation, gate change, baggage issue, or item left on an aircraft, contact the airline first. For an item lost elsewhere in the terminal, use the airport’s lost-and-found channel. Your airline app remains the best source for live gate and flight status.

Frequently asked questions

How many terminals does Columbus airport have?

CMH has one passenger terminal divided into Concourses A, B, and C. Each concourse has its own TSA checkpoint.

What terminal is Southwest at CMH?

The airport currently assigns Southwest to Concourse A. Confirm the concourse and gate in the Southwest app or on your boarding pass because assignments can change.

What terminal is Delta at Columbus airport?

The airport currently assigns Delta to Concourse C. Verify the live boarding pass before entering security.

Is CMH open 24 hours?

The terminal supports arriving and departing flights throughout the schedule, but TSA checkpoints, airline counters, restaurants, and shops have their own hours. Checkpoint hours are published on the airport security page and can change with flight activity.

Is CMH the same as LCK?

No. CMH is John Glenn Columbus International Airport, while LCK is Rickenbacker International Airport. They are separate airports. The reservation’s airport code determines where you should go.

How early should I arrive at Columbus airport?

CMH recommends entering the terminal at least 90 minutes before domestic departures and two hours before international departures. Add time for construction, shuttle parking, checked baggage, or special assistance.

Final preflight checklist

• Confirm the airport code is CMH, not LCK.
• Check the airline app for the concourse, gate, delay, and bag-drop deadline.
• Review the live terminal map, checkpoint hours, parking status, and construction alerts.
• Bring a REAL ID or another TSA-accepted ID if age 18 or older.
• Allow extra time if using a shuttle lot or rental car center.

If the three-letter codes are confusing, see our explanation of IATA and ICAO airport codes or use our airport-code lookup guide. Travelers comparing airports across the state can also review our Ohio airports guide.