--- iata: STL name: St. Louis Lambert International Airport city: St. Louis country: United States lastUpdated: '2026-09-02' officialWebsite: 'https://www.flystl.com/' sources: - 'https://www.flystl.com/' - 'https://www.flystl.com/parking-transportation/' - 'https://www.flystl.com/tsa-security/' - 'https://www.flystl.com/faqs/' - 'https://www.flystl.com/shop-and-dine/' - 'https://www.aa.com/web/i18n/travelInformation/airportAmenities/stl-club.html' - 'https://wingtipslounge.com/STL/' - >- https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/united-states-of-america/lambert-st-louis-international/stl3-wingtips-lounge-st-louis - 'https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/wingtips-lounge' - 'https://missouri.uso.org/stl-1' - 'https://www.metrostlouis.org/metrolink/' - >- https://www.wateratairports.com/topic/st-louis-lambert-international-airport-stl/ - 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Lambert_International_Airport' - >- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/airport-lounges/2088672-wingtips-lounge-stl.html - >- https://www.reddit.com/r/StLouis/comments/16gpetn/first_time_flying_from_the_stl_airport_how_early/ quickFacts: - >- Two terminals 1+ mile apart (T1: A/C concourses; T2: E mainly Southwest); free 10-min shuttle only connection - 'Southwest dominates (~60%+ share) in T2; AA, Delta, United in T1' - ~15.9M passengers in 2024; historic former TWA hub now focused O&D - >- Three TSA checkpoints (two T1, one T2); PreCheck available, typical waits 10-25 min - MetroLink light rail at both terminals to downtown in ~30-40 min - >- Local food standouts: Ted Drewes frozen custard, Schlafly, Budweiser Brew House bentoTips: - label: Timing title: Arrive 90-120 min early domestic detail: >- Early mornings (5-7am) and evenings are quickest; holiday or PreCheck outages can push waits higher—check MyTSA/flystl.com live. summary: >- Security is usually fast outside peaks; 2 hours covers check-in and the free terminal shuttle if needed. category: timing - label: Terminal title: Confirm terminal before parking or drop-off detail: >- Wrong terminal means re-clearing security after shuttle—use MetroLink between stations as free alternative if timed right. summary: >- T1 (A/C) and T2 (E/Southwest) are not walkable airside; free shuttle every 8-15 min takes ~10 min. category: terminal - label: Food title: Hit Ted Drewes for the local win detail: >- T2 has Shake Shack and Pasta House options; Vino Volo and Budweiser Brew House elevate T1 beyond basics. summary: >- Skip generic chains for Ted Drewes frozen custard (A and C gates) or Schlafly/4Hands local beer and eats. category: food - label: Status title: Check live TSA and shuttle tracking detail: >- On-time hovers ~77%; weather or hub connections elsewhere drive most delays—Southwest volume can cascade in T2. summary: >- flystl.com shows real-time security waits and Super Park shuttle locations; MetroLink is reliable but watch evening safety. category: status lounges: - name: American Airlines Admirals Club hours: 'Daily 04:30-19:00' access: - Admirals Club membership - eligible AA elite/oneworld - same-day first/business - day pass ~$79 bestFor: - AA flyers - Work - Quiet summary: >- Solid, clean AA lounge with better food/drinks than Wingtips; staff praised in recent traveler notes—best option if you have access in T1. verdict: worth-it terminal: Terminal 1 amenities: - Complimentary food and drinks - Full-service bar - Wi-Fi - name: Wingtips Lounge hours: >- Varies (e.g. Mon/Tue/Thu 07:00-20:00; Wed/Fri/Sun 07:00-13:00; Sat 09:30-16:30—confirm current) access: - Priority Pass - LoungeKey - Diners Club - day pass ~$38 - Wingtips membership bestFor: - Priority Pass holders in T2 - Short rest summary: >- Crowded, basic Priority Pass option with mediocre food (chips, cupcakes, simple sandwiches) and limited seating—usable if free and you have time in T2, otherwise skip the day pass. verdict: depends terminal: Terminal 2 amenities: - Basic snacks/sandwiches - Alcoholic drinks (some premium extra) - Wi-Fi - Restrooms - name: James S. McDonnell USO Lounge hours: 'Daily ~06:00-22:00 (or later weekdays; doors often 24h access noted)' access: - Active duty military - reservists - National Guard - dependents with ID bestFor: - Military families - Rest summary: >- Excellent free landside facility for eligible travelers with quiet zones and practical amenities—highly recommended if you qualify. verdict: worth-it terminal: Terminal 1 amenities: - Rest/sleep areas - TV/games - Computers - Snacks - Luggage storage waterOptions: - kind: refill name: Bottle filling stations zone: airside summary: >- Free filtered refill stations throughout—bring an empty bottle through security for the best zero-cost option. location: >- A Concourse near gates A2 and A8; C Concourse near C2 and C17 (post-security); also pre-security near A checkpoint and baggage claim Exit 11 terminal: Terminal 1 isBestValue: true isBestQuality: true - kind: refill name: Bottle filling stations zone: airside summary: >- Convenient free stations right by Southwest gates—pair with empty bottle for unlimited free water. location: >- E Concourse near gates E10, E18, E33, E40 (post-security); pre-security near Exit 12 baggage claim terminal: Terminal 2 - kind: purchase name: Hudson zone: airside price: ~$3.50-5.00 for 500ml-20oz bottle summary: >- Standard overpriced airport bottles; grab only if you forgot a refillable and stations are far. location: 'Multiple: A Gates near A17/A8; C Gates near C10/C18' terminal: Terminal 1 - kind: purchase name: Starbucks or Midtown Cafe zone: airside price: ~$3-4 for bottled or ask for free cup of water summary: >- Bottled water available; many Starbucks will give free tap water in a cup if asked politely. location: Starbucks A5 or C17; Midtown Cafe A16 or E38 terminal: Terminal 1 / Terminal 2 - kind: free name: Water fountains / Starbucks cup zone: airside summary: >- Basic fountains plus free cup water at coffee shops as backup if stations busy. location: Near restrooms and filling stations airside; Starbucks counters terminal: Both airportistScore: 6.9 slug: stl region: North America --- > Markdown for [/airports/stl](/airports/stl). Append `.md` to any page URL (or send `Accept: text/markdown`) for an agent-readable copy. - [HTML page](/airports/stl) - [Lounge directory](/airports/stl/lounges.md) - [Sitemap](/sitemap.md) # St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) St. Louis, United States · North America Solid mid-size US airport with quick security and local food charm but penalized by split terminals requiring shuttle and only basic lounge options. ## Airportist Score **6.9 / 10** - Comfort: 6.5 - Navigation: 6.2 - Food: 7.3 - Transport: 7.8 - Disruption resilience: 6.7 ## At a glance - Passengers: 15.9M - Terminals: 2 active terminals - Typical security: 18 min - On-time: 77% - Disruption: normal ## Best for - Southwest flyers (dedicated T2) - Cheap public transit to downtown - Local St. Louis food tastes - Quick security most days ## Watch out for - Split terminals with no airside link - Limited quality lounges (Wingtips mediocre) - MetroLink evening safety concerns reported - Garage parking pricey (~$31/day) ## More intel - [Lounge directory](/airports/stl/lounges.md) (free) - [Getting there](/airports/stl/getting-there.md) (free) - [Amenities](/airports/stl/amenities.md) - [Traveler tips](/airports/stl/tips.md) - [Water](/airports/stl/water.md) - [Full guide](/airports/stl/guide.md) - [Disruptions](/airports/stl/disruptions.md) - [Reviews](/airports/stl/reviews.md)