Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport [CVG] — Ultimate Terminal Guide

While it saw less traffic than prior to the pandemic, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) had a 21% increase in passenger traffic compared to 2021, serving over 7.5 million passengers in 2022. The former Delta hub is now a major player for several air cargo operators including Amazon Air and DHL Aviation. In fact, CVG is one of the fastest-growing airports in North America for cargo operations.

Still, there’s a sizable passenger presence at CVG, with the airport even winning a 2023 award for the best regional airport in North America by Skytrax. Here’s a closer look at the airport, including info on its modern facilities and seamless airside connections.

Quick Info

Airport: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
Terminals: 1 terminal with 2 concourses — A and B
Airport Address: 3087 Terminal Dr., Hebron, KY 41048
Distance From Downtown Cincinnati: 12 miles (19 km)
Website: CVGAirport.com
Phone Number: 859-767-3230
Passengers Served: 7.5 million annually
Destinations: 50+ domestic and international destinations
Flight Information: Departures and arrivals info can be found online

Airlines Operating From CVG

The following airlines operate out of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport:

CVG Terminal Map

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport consists of 1 main terminal and 2 remote concourses, A and B. Roadway access and parking facilities are located north of the terminal, while the concourses are situated south, accessible via an underground walkway or tram.

CVG Airport Terminals

Main Terminal – Level 1 Baggage Claim

Baggage claim is located on level 1 of the main terminal and has a small selection of services and facilities, including an information booth and a lost and found office. Arriving from a flight, passengers can take the escalator up 1 floor from the transportation hall that connects the concourses and terminal.

The east and west ground transportation areas can be accessed from either end of baggage claim.

Main Terminal – Level 2 Ticketing

Airline ticketing can be found on level 2, with the addition of a couple of shops and an ATM. Passenger pick-up and drop-off are available on this level from the departures curb outside, and the terminal parking garage is connected via a pedestrian walkway.

Once passengers have checked in, they can proceed to the security checkpoint at the southern end of the central atrium.

Concourse A

Concourse A is the first of the 2 remote concourses accessible via the transportation hall. Most domestic flights operate from the concourse’s 23 gates numbered A1 to A23, and The Club CVG lounge is near gate A10.

Passengers can enjoy meals and refreshments in the food court at the entrance of the concourse, with several other bars and restaurants also located near the gates.

Concourse B

Concourse B has 28 gates numbered B1 to B28, with gates B1 to B12 located on the west side and B13 to B28 on the east side. Connected via the transportation hall, passengers can ride the underground tram from the main terminal in around 4 minutes, or walk in under 8 minutes.

Concourse B receives all international flights, with these passengers required to clear security on arrival before proceeding to baggage claim or to an onward flight connection.

There’s a good selection of shops and restaurants in Concourse B, along with a Delta Sky Club in the central concourse area and an Escape Lounge near gate B21.

Inter-terminal Transport

Airport Tram

The airport tram transports passengers between the main terminal and Concourses A and B. 2 lines run along the transportation hall on the lower level with the longest journey taking around 4 minutes from end to end.

Walking

Passengers can choose to walk from the main terminal to Concourses A or B via the transportation hall. It takes approximately 6 minutes to walk from the main terminal to Concourse A and 8 minutes to walk from the terminal to Concourse B. Moving walkways are available to aid passengers along the journey.

Security and Customs at CVG

CVG has 1 security checkpoint in the main terminal, open from 3:30 a.m. to 8:50 p.m. Waiting times for this checkpoint can be viewed on the homepage of the airport’s website.

TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck is available at the security checkpoint, open from 3:30 a.m. to 8:50 p.m. If you have been approved following the application process, then you are eligible to use these lanes for expedited security clearance.

A TSA PreCheck Enrollment Center is located in baggage claim of the main terminal and applicants can visit here for an enrollment interview. The office is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Global Entry Program

CVG participates in Global Entry for expedited international clearance of preapproved, low-risk passengers.

Conditionally approved passengers are required to attend an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center to finalize their application. CVG’s Enrollment Center is located off-airport property at 4243 Olympic Blvd., Suite 210, Erlanger, KY 41018.

The airport also participates in Enrollment on Arrival at the Concourse B Federal Inspection Area.

Mobile Passport

Mobile Passport is not accepted at CVG.

CLEAR

CVG has CLEAR lanes in the main terminal, available daily from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. This program requires enrollment and an interview for eye and fingertip scanning.

CVG Airport Lounges

* Hours are subject to change without notice. Lounge access may be restricted at times due to capacity.
** Day Pass for any passenger. Lounges marked as N/A only allow entry for eligible passengers in their premium cabins, frequent flyer programs, or participating credit card programs.

Hot Tip:

Check out the best credit cards for airport lounge access and begin your trip in style without paying the day pass fee.

Priority Pass Access

Priority Pass members are entitled to use their pass to enter The Club CVG, located in Concourse A between gates A8 and A10.

Hot Tip:

To become a Priority Pass member, check out our dedicated Priority Pass article and the best credit cards for Priority Pass access.

Dining and Drinks at CVG

CVG has 15+ restaurants, cafes, and fast-food counters, so passengers will have plenty of choices to grab a bite before their flight. Check out your CVG dining options in advance on the airport’s website.

If you get to the airport too early to check in, there are only vending machines available pre-security.

CVG Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available in the ticketing area, baggage claim, and at the gates.

CVG Airport Lost and Found

CVG’s lost and found process depends on where you lost your property. If you left an item on an airplane, then you need to contact the relevant airline.

For items left in the common areas of the airport, such as at check-in, baggage claim, or parking facilities, you’ll need to submit a report on this lost and found form.

Additional Airport Information

Information Services

Information booths are located in the food courts of both Concourse A and Concourse B, and in baggage claim.

Children’s Play Areas

Unfortunately, CVG doesn’t rank as one of the top kid-friendly U.S. airports; however, the airport does have 2 children’s play areas, located near gate A4 of Concourse A and near the food court of Concourse B. Both play areas are enclosed with padded floors and soft-surface toys for climbing.

Baby Facilities

There are 3 Mamava nursing suites at CVG, located at:

• Concourse A, near gate A4
• Concourse B, near gate B13
• Baggage claim, opposite carousel 1

Traveling With a Pet

3 pet relief areas are available for service animals, located at:

• Concourse A, near gate A18
• Concourse B, near gate B13
• On the baggage claim level, near Ground Transportation Center East

Smoking Areas

There are no indoor smoking areas at CVG (this includes electronic cigarettes). Smoking is only permitted in designated smoking areas outside of the terminals.

Prayer

An interfaith meditation room with prayer rugs is located in Concourse B near gate B14.

Money

ATMs can be found:

• In the transportation hall walking towards Concourse A
• Baggage claim, opposite carousel 3
• On the ticketing level, before the security checkpoint
• Concourse A food court
• Concourse B, near gate B12 and B13

Foreign currency services are available in Concourse B near the entrance to gate B12.

Luggage Storage

There are no luggage storage facilities at CVG.

Important CVG Phone Numbers

• Customer Service: 859-767-3230
• Parking: 859-767-3105
• TSA Customer Service: 866-289-9673

Travel to and From CVG

Transport Options

Ground transportation is available on level 1, with the type of travel you require determining the departure/arrival location. CVG has 2 ground transportation areas, with 1 on the east side of baggage claim, and the other on the west side.

Ground Transportation East

From baggage claim, take the exit near carousel 4 and follow the signs. The following transportation services are available from Ground Transportation East:

Bus

TANK public buses are one of the cheapest ways of getting to and from the airport and are available from zone 5. The Airporter bus serves the airport from downtown Cincinnati and the CVG Centre. Buses operate approximately every 30 minutes during peak hours with a single ride costing $1.50.

Rideshare

Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft allow you to order a car between CVG and the surrounding areas. Uber and Lyft pickups are available from zone 1 with variable rates depending on destination and demand.

Shared Ride Shuttles

On-demand and prebooked shuttles are available from zone 4. For bookings on arrival, passengers can visit the desk in baggage claim between carousels 3 and 4 or call 859-261-8841.

Taxis

Taxis are available from zone 2 and charge around $35 to downtown Cincinnati.

Ground Transportation West

From baggage claim, take the exit near carousel 1 and follow the signs. The following transportation services are available from Ground Transportation East:

Parking and Hotel Shuttles

Hotel and parking shuttles arrive and depart regularly from these zones:

• Zone 1: CVG Economy Lot shuttles
• Zone 2: Off-airport parking shuttles
• Zone 3: Hotel shuttles

Directions by Car to CVG

Arriving From Downtown Cincinnati

Get on I-71 S/I-75 S in Covington from US-127 S/US-42 S/Clay Wade Bailey Bridge. Continue on I-71 S/I-75 S and use the right 2 lanes to take exit 185 to merge onto I-275 W towards the airport. Take exit 4B to merge onto KY-212 W towards the airport and drive to Terminal Drive.

Arriving From Downtown Dayton

Take I-75 S and use the right 2 lanes to take exit 185 to merge onto I-275 W towards the airport. Take exit 4B to merge onto KY-212 W towards the airport and drive to Terminal Drive.

CVG Airport Parking Information

Short-term Parking

Short-term parking is available in the Terminal Garage that’s adjacent to the terminal. Passengers can walk between the garage and the terminal in just a few minutes via the pedestrian walkway.

Standard parking is charged at $3 per hour up to 3 hours and $22 per day, thereafter. Passengers can book premium reserved parking in the most convenient location of the garage for $26 per day.

Hot Tip:

Premium reserved parking is only available by making a prepaid reservation via the airport’s website.

Long-term Parking

For passengers looking for a cheaper alternative to the Terminal Garage, the ValuPark lot provides long-term parking for $11 per day. Located at 2462 Donaldson Hwy., passengers can ride a courtesy shuttle bus to/from the terminal’s Ground Transportation West.

The most affordable parking available is at the Economy Lot, located at 2130 Donaldson Hwy., Hebron, KY 41048. Courtesy shuttle buses transport passengers to and from the airport, with daily parking at a $9 rate.

Pick-up and Drop-off Parking

There’s no parking or waiting permitted outside of the airport terminal, so non-commercial drivers can use the cell phone lot when waiting for passengers. The cell phone lot is located at 3401 Loomis Rd., Hebron, KY 41048.

Passengers can be dropped off curbside outside the terminal.

Off-site and Hotel Parking

Off-site parking lots and hotel parking can typically offer the best rates if you’re happy to travel a little further out from the airport.

Daily parking for CVG starts from $9 with free shuttle services to and from the airport. Airportparkingreservations.com is a handy website to compare prices, check parking locations, and customer reviews for alternative parking near the airport.

Parking for Passengers With Disabilities

All short-term and long-term airport parking lots have spaces reserved for passengers with restricted mobility, and the remote parking shuttle buses can accommodate wheelchairs.

Parking Contact Number

859-767-3106

Car Rental at CVG Airport

The rental car center is located in Ground Transportation West, with the entrance near baggage carousel 1. Rental car counters are located on level 1, with the vehicles on levels 2, 3, or 4, depending on your agency booking:

CVG Airport Hotels

CVG has a range of 2- to 4-star hotels that suit most budgets, with 1 on-site property and additional hotels located 1 to 2 miles away from the terminal. We’ve included contact details for each hotel, distance from the airport, and star rating to help you choose where to stay.

Top 3 Hotel Stays Using Points

The DoubleTree by Hilton Cincinnati Airport is a 3-star hotel located just a few minutes from the terminal on airport property. Passengers can ride the free shuttle bus from outside the terminal or can walk to the hotel in around 8 minutes. Guests can enjoy casual dining at the on-site restaurant or take a dip in the indoor swimming pool. Hilton Honors members can redeem a free night stay from 35,000 Hilton Honors points.

The Courtyard by Marriott Cincinnati Airport offers travelers a convenient location, park-and-fly offers, and a complimentary airport shuttle — the perfect combination for travelers with an early morning flight out of CVG. Facilities include free Wi-Fi, an on-site restaurant, a fitness center, and a convenience store. Starting at 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, the hotel offers great value and convenience.

If you’re looking for a 4-star Marriott hotel close to the airport, the Marriott Cincinnati Airport is your best option. The hotel offers a convenient location, coupled with a complimentary airport shuttle, an on-site restaurant offering fresh food and Starbucks coffee, an indoor pool, and a fitness center. Redemptions start from 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Final Thoughts

CVG’s passenger numbers are continuing on an upward trajectory, with the airport on track to exceed 2022’s passengers by 15%. The recent launch of British Airways’ direct route to London Heathrow and Delta’s route expansion to Cancun and Raleigh-Durham should further enhance the airport’s growth.

When it comes to passenger satisfaction, CVG was named Best Regional Airport, 8 out of 10 years, in the Skytrax World Airport Awards.