Ohio Airports Guide

Ohio airports has gotten complicated with all the mergers, route changes, and new low-cost carriers flying around. I’ve been through most of the major ones in the state at this point — Columbus for work trips, Cleveland to visit family, Cincinnati for a bachelor party that I’m still recovering from — and each one has its own personality. Some are big enough to have art installations. Others get you from curb to gate in twelve minutes flat. Here’s what I’ve learned about the airports across Ohio.

John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)

Probably should have led with this one since it’s the state capital’s airport and the one I’ve flown through most. CMH sits in Columbus and serves as a gateway for a huge chunk of central Ohio. It’s managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which also oversees Rickenbacker down the road.

• Terminals and airlines: There’s one main terminal with three concourses. American, Delta, Southwest, and several others run routes to cities across the country. I’ve noticed Southwest has a particularly strong presence here, which keeps fares competitive on popular routes.
• Parking and transport: Short-term, long-term, economy — the usual parking tiers. Rental cars, rideshare, and public buses are all available. I typically use the economy lot when I’m gone for more than a couple days. The shuttle to the terminal runs frequently enough that I’ve never waited more than about five minutes.
• Inside the terminal: Decent food options, some retail, free Wi-Fi. There are workstations tucked into various corners if you need to bang out some emails before boarding. I once had a two-hour delay at CMH and managed to get a surprising amount of work done at one of those little counter seats near gate B12.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)

CLE is the biggest airport in northern Ohio and my childhood airport, so I’m probably a little biased. It’s got a direct connection to downtown Cleveland via the RTA Rapid Transit line, which is genuinely useful. I rode it to a Browns game once and saved myself the parking headache entirely.

• Terminals and airlines: One main terminal, four concourses. United has a significant hub operation here. Frontier and JetBlue also fly out of CLE, giving you some budget-friendly options. That said, United dominates enough routes that prices on certain corridors can be steep.
• Parking and transport: The Rapid Transit is the standout here — a straight shot to downtown for a few bucks. Parking lots range from the close-in garage to remote economy options. Rental cars, taxis, rideshare — all the usual ground transport.
• Inside the terminal: They’ve been renovating in stages, and it shows. Some sections feel modern and others feel like 1998. The food has improved a lot — there are local restaurant concepts now, not just chain fast food. CLE also hosts rotating art exhibits and occasionally live music, which is a nice touch if you’re stuck waiting.

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)

Here’s the funny thing about CVG — it serves Cincinnati, Ohio, but it’s technically in Hebron, Kentucky. I always get a kick out of telling people I flew into Kentucky to visit Ohio. Geography aside, it’s a solid airport.

• Terminals and airlines: Delta still has a big presence here, though it’s scaled back from the old hub days. Allegiant, Frontier, and other low-cost options have moved in. Multiple concourses handle a good spread of domestic and some international flights.
• Parking and transport: Shuttle buses connect the lots to the terminal. There’s bus service to the greater Cincinnati area. CVG also offers a valet parking service that frequent travelers swear by — I haven’t tried it myself, but a coworker of mine uses it every time.
• Inside the terminal: The Concourse B food court is where most of the dining action is. Options are varied enough that you won’t be stuck eating a sad airport pretzel unless you want to. The terminal itself is clean and reasonably well-maintained.

Dayton International Airport (DAY)

Dayton’s airport is smaller and quieter, which — depending on what you’re after — can be a real advantage. I flew through DAY once specifically to avoid the crowds at CMH during Thanksgiving week, and I’d do it again. The difference in stress level was noticeable.

• Terminals and airlines: Mostly domestic flights through carriers like American and United. Single terminal layout, so navigation is about as simple as it gets.
• Parking and transport: Easy interstate access makes driving to DAY straightforward. Parking is plentiful and less expensive than the bigger Ohio airports. Rental car counters are on site.
• Inside the terminal: It’s modest. You’ve got food, Wi-Fi, and TSA PreCheck support. That’s what makes DAY endearing — it doesn’t overwhelm you with options you don’t need. You get in, you get through security quickly, and you get on your plane.

Akron-Canton Airport (CAK)

CAK handles a good volume of traffic for northeastern Ohio and serves as an alternative to Cleveland Hopkins for a lot of people in the region. I’ve known people who drive past CLE to fly out of CAK just because the experience is less hectic.

• Terminals and airlines: One terminal with gates serving Spirit, Breeze Airways, and a rotating cast of regional carriers. It’s budget-airline territory for the most part, which keeps fares interesting.
• Parking and transport: Valet and economy parking are both available. Ground transportation includes rental cars and taxi services. The lots are close to the terminal, so you’re not riding a shuttle for twenty minutes.
• Inside the terminal: CAK has a reputation for friendly customer service, and from my one time through there, it earned it. The gate agent actually chatted with me about where I was headed. Small airport energy in the best possible way. Free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, clean facilities.

Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK)

This one’s a bit different. Rickenbacker, near Columbus, is primarily a cargo airport — think FedEx and freight operations. But it does handle some passenger traffic, mostly through Allegiant, which runs seasonal routes from there.

• Terminals and airlines: Allegiant is the main passenger carrier. Flights tend to be seasonal and leisure-focused — think Florida, the southwest, that kind of thing.
• Parking and transport: Affordable parking and express shuttle service. Getting in and out is quick, partly because passenger volume is low enough that you’re never dealing with a crowd.
• Inside the terminal: Pretty bare-bones on the amenities front since cargo is the main business. There’s enough for a traveler to get by — food, basic retail — but don’t expect a lounge or a bookstore.

Other Airports Worth Knowing About

Beyond the major ones, Ohio has a handful of regional airports that serve important roles for smaller communities and specialized operations.

• Toledo Express Airport (TOL): Handles a mix of passenger and cargo flights out of Toledo. Convenient if you’re in northwest Ohio and don’t want to drive to Detroit Metro.
• Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport (YNG): Mostly general aviation and military operations, with some limited commercial service. Useful if you’re in the Mahoning Valley area.
• Wright-Patterson Air Force Base: Not a commercial airport, but worth mentioning because it’s near Dayton and it’s one of the most significant Air Force installations in the country. The National Museum of the United States Air Force is there, and honestly, it’s worth a trip on its own even if you’re not an aviation enthusiast. Though if you are, you’ll lose an entire day in there easily. I did.