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About Saint Louis Lambert Intl. Airport

Saint Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is located in St. Louis County, Missouri, serving the St. Louis metropolitan area from its position northwest of downtown St. Louis, approximately 14 miles (23 kilometers) from the city center. The airport began handling civil air traffic in 1920 and is operated by the City of St. Louis through the St. Louis Airport Authority. As the region's primary commercial airport, it plays an important role in business travel, tourism, cargo movement and regional connectivity across Missouri and the wider Midwest.

The airport operates with two main passenger terminals supporting both domestic flights and international flights, with concourses designed for scheduled airline services, security screening, baggage handling, ground transportation and passenger amenities. Saint Louis Lambert International Airport serves around 15 million passengers annually in recent years, supported by runways capable of handling narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, parking facilities, rental car services, lounges, dining, retail and accessible passenger infrastructure. Traffic is generally strongest during spring, summer and holiday periods, while winter demand can be more moderate, with schedule adjustments reflecting seasonal leisure and business travel patterns.

Airlines operating from Saint Louis Lambert International Airport include major U.S. carriers such as Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Frontier Airlines, among others. Key direct destinations include major domestic markets such as Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Atlanta, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Orlando, New York and Washington, D.C., while international services are more limited and typically focus on nearby leisure or hub-linked routes. Demand for flight tickets remains broadly supported by a balanced mix of corporate travel, visiting-friends-and-relatives traffic, convention activity and leisure passengers, making STL an important and reliable gateway for the St. Louis region.

Saint Louis Lambert Intl. Airport to St. Louis City Center Transport

Travelers can get from Saint Louis Lambert International Airport to downtown St. Louis by MetroLink light rail, MetroBus connections, airport shuttle or shared van, taxi, rental car, or pre-booked private transfer.

Bus

MetroBus services connect with the airport area and the wider St. Louis transit network, but most trips to the city center are easier with a transfer to MetroLink. Allow around 50 to 70 minutes for a bus-based journey to downtown, depending on connections and traffic.

• MetroBus connections are available via North Hanley Transit Center.
• Useful route examples include 49 Lindbergh, 34 Earth City, 77 Village Square, and 98 Ballas-North Hanley.
• The airport Bus Port is south of Terminal 1 and can be reached by terminal shuttle.

Airport Shuttle

There is no Havas or Havabus service at Saint Louis Lambert International Airport. Instead, travelers can use pre-booked airport shuttle and shared van providers serving downtown hotels and business districts. Average travel time to central St. Louis is about 25 to 45 minutes.

• Downtown St. Louis hotels
• Gateway Transportation Center
• Union Station area
• Convention Center and central business district

Metro / Tram

MetroLink light rail is usually the most convenient public transport option from Saint Louis Lambert International Airport to downtown St. Louis. The Red Line serves both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and runs directly to central stations. Average journey time is about 30 to 40 minutes.

• Lambert Airport Terminal 1 Station to Union Station
• Lambert Airport Terminal 2 Station to Civic Center
• Lambert Airport to 8th & Pine, Convention Center, or Laclede's Landing

Taxi

Taxis are available 24/7 from designated taxi zones at both airport terminals. A taxi from Saint Louis Lambert International Airport to downtown St. Louis usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

• Terminal 1 taxi pickup: Door 14 toward the Garage Yellow Level
• Terminal 2 taxi pickup: across from Door 12 in the Terminal 2 Garage

Car Rental

Major car rental companies operate at or near the airport, with free rental car shuttles from the terminals to off-airport rental offices. This is a practical option for travelers planning to visit suburbs, business parks, or attractions outside the city center.

• Terminal 1 pickup: outside Exit 17 or the Brown Level of the Terminal 1 Garage near Door 15
• Terminal 2 pickup: outside Exit 12 on Arrivals Boulevard
• Rental companies include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National, Payless, Dollar, and Hertz.

Transfer

A private airport transfer is the most comfortable door-to-door option from Saint Louis Lambert International Airport to St. Louis city center. It is recommended to book in advance, especially for late-night arrivals, business travel, families, or passengers with extra luggage. Average travel time is about 20 to 35 minutes.

• Meet-and-greet service at the terminal
• Direct transfer to downtown hotels or private addresses
• Fixed-price options available when booked ahead