# Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)

> Birmingham, US · 5 mi (8 km) northeast of downtown Birmingham

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/bhm
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/bhm.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: BHM
- **ICAO**: KBHM
- **Timezone**: America/Chicago
- **Runways**: 2
- **Terminals**: 1
- **Passengers**: 3,243,023/yr
- **Official site**: https://www.flybirmingham.com

## Overview

## Welcome

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) defies its "international" label by offering the ease and breeziness of a regional airport. Positioned just 5 miles northeast of downtown Birmingham, this compact airport lets you get through security faster than you'd expect, even during peak times. Locals love being able to arrive just 60–75 minutes before their flight, a luxury not often found in busier hubs.

## At a glance

Handling approximately 3.2 million passengers annually with two runways, BHM is an accessible option for flyers, featuring a single terminal that's home to major carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines. Despite its manageable size, complaints about limited amenities and food options persist, making it a wise choice to bring snacks with you.

## Terminals & layout

The Main Terminal houses all three concourses (A, B, C), allowing for straightforward navigation and quick connections. All gates are accessible post-security, so if one checkpoint seems busier, you can clear security elsewhere and walk to your gate with ease.

## Getting to and from the city

Getting to downtown Birmingham from BHM is efficient due to its proximity. Rideshare options like Uber and Lyft charge $15–$25 in light traffic, typical before surge pricing during events or college football weekends. Taxis, such as Yellow Cab, cost about $25–$30 for the same distance. Public transportation is available through Max Transit Routes 20 and 17, costing just $2.00, but plan on 40–60 minutes travel time depending on traffic. Car rental services such as Avis and Budget are readily available, with shuttles taking around 5–10 minutes from the terminal exit.

## Traveller essentials

Parking options at BHM are varied, with short stay parking priced at $20.00 per day, long stay at $10.00, and valet at $30.00. The economy lot is a budget-friendly option at $10.00 per day, and EV charging stations are available. While Wi-Fi across the airport is dependable, power outlets can be sparse near older gates. Consider using newer seating areas equipped with outlets to keep your devices charged.

## Dining & shopping highlights

Dining options are centered in the Main Terminal. Grab a caffeine fix at Starbucks or enjoy a meal from Chick-Fil-A or Tacos Locos. Other choices include local brews at Good People Brewing Co and barbecue from Jim N Nick's Bar-B-Q. However, dining choices can become limited as several places close early. For shopping, you’ll find diverse options like Civil Rights Trail Market, Hudson News Vulcan, and the Magic City Market.

## Lounges

BHM lacks a major branded airline lounge, leaving passengers with limited options such as the USO Lounge and FBO lounges like Signature Flight Support. For business travelers needing to work, the quiet ends of the concourses can provide refuge, but a true lounge experience remains elusive.

## Insider tips

- **Time**: Traffic at security spikes from about 5–7 a.m. Arrive around 90 minutes prior during the morning bank of departures.

- **Avoid**: Food options dwindle towards evening; eat downtown or bring snacks if flying late.

- **Quiet**: The far ends of Concourses A and B offer quieter spots for calls or work between flights.

- **Local**: Rideshares can be cost-effective but surge during events; compare to short-term parking fees.

- **Insider**: If connecting flights, 35–40 minutes is usually enough due to the airport's compact layout.

- **Family**: With kids, sit at the quiet ends of concourses where space is more open for play.

- **Money**: Rental cars are both quicker and cheaper than taxis for reaching Birmingham suburbs like Tuscaloosa.

- **Quiet**: Use landside seating near less-busy counters for a tranquil spot before security.

## Terminals (1)

- **Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport Terminal** — American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines
  This terminal serves as the main hub for Birmingham.

## Dining (25)

- **American Bagel** — Main · Local · Deli · $
- **Auntie Anne's**
- **Birmingham Brewhouse**
- **Burger King** — Main · Fast Food · American · $
- **Char Bar**
- **Chick-Fil-A** — Main · Fast Food · American · $
- **Cinco De Mayo**
- **Farmer's Fridge**
- **Good People Brewing Co**
- **Great American Cookies**
- **Great Wraps**
- **Grounded in Birmingham**
- **Jim N Nick's Bar-B-Q**
- **O'Henry's Coffees**
- **Red Mountain Grill**
- **Rojo**
- **Starbucks**
- **Starbucks** — Main · Coffee · Café · $
- **Subway**
- **Tacos Locos** — Main · Mexican · Casual · $$
- **Talladega Grille**
- **The Great American Bagel Bakery**
- **The Local Rustic Market**
- **The Scoreboard**
- **Vino Volo**

## Lounges (4)

- **Atlantic Aviation Lounge** — GA FBO · FBO, general aviation
- **Signature Flight Support Lounge** — FBO, general aviation
- **US Customs Waiting Lounge** — International arrivals, government
- **USO Lounge** — Main Terminal, military

## Shops (16)

- **Best Buy Express** — Main
- **Birmingham Gifts** — Main
- **Books-A-Million** — Main
- **Brighton Collectibles** — Main
- **Civil Rights Trail Market** — Main · Souvenirs
- **CNN Newsstand** — Main
- **Finish Line** — Main
- **Hudson** — Main
- **Hudson News Vulcan** — Main · Travel Essentials
- **InMotion** — Main
- **Local Market** — Main
- **Magic City Market** — Main · Souvenirs
- **Magic City Souvenirs** — Main
- **Paradies Lagardere** — Main
- **Stellar News** — Main
- **Sunglass Hut** — Main

## Parking (11)

- **Accessible Parking** — $17/day, 2/hr · next to terminal
- **Cell Phone Lot** — Free waiting area · $0/day
- **Economy Lot** — Surface · $10/day, 2/hr
- **Electric Vehicle Charging Stations** — next to terminal
- **Long Stay Parking** — Long stay · $10.00/day, $1.50/hr · 0.5 mi
- **Overflow Parking Lot** — Surface
- **Parking Deck A** — Garage
- **Parking Deck B** — Garage
- **Remote Parking** — Remote · $8.00/day, $1.00/hr · 1 mi
- **Short Stay Parking** — Short stay · $20.00/day, $2.00/hr · next to terminal
- **Valet Parking** — Valet · $30.00/day, $3.00/hr · next to terminal

## Ground transport (10)

- **Avis Shuttle** — Rental car shuttle · About 5–10 min total from terminal exit to car in normal conditions · Shuttles/people-mover service run throughout the day, synchronized with flight banks (exact headways not published)
- **Budget Shuttle** — Rental car shuttle · About 5–10 min total from terminal exit to car in normal conditions · Shared rental shuttles/people-mover operate continuously during flight hours (exact headways not published)
- **Enterprise Shuttle** — Rental car shuttle · Around 5–10 min from terminal exit to reaching your car, assuming moderate lines · Rental shuttles/people-mover operate throughout the day in sync with flights (no exact interval published)
- **Greyhound Birmingham** — Intercity bus via downtown · 3–3.5 hr Birmingham–Atlanta by bus · 10–15 min Greyhound station–BHM by car · $20–40 Birmingham–Atlanta (typical advance range) · Several trips per day on main corridors (e.g., Birmingham–Atlanta)
- **Lyft** — Rideshare · 10–15 min BHM–downtown in light traffic · $15–25 BHM–downtown (typical, before surge) · On-demand · generally <10–15 min wait, 24/7
- **Max Transit Route 17** — Local bus · 40–60 min Eastwood–downtown depending on direction and traffic · $2.00 · Every 30–60 min · Reduced on Saturdays · No late-night service
- **Max Transit Route 20** — Local bus · 45–60 min airport corridor to downtown (including walk/wait) · $2.00 · Every 30–60 min · Weekday day/evening only
- **Megabus Birmingham** — Intercity coach via downtown · Similar to Greyhound on overlapping routes (e.g., ~3–3.5 hr Birmingham–Atlanta) · $5–25 on common promo fares (varies heavily by date/route) · Sparse/variable · route- and season-dependent
- **Uber** — Rideshare · 10–15 min BHM–downtown in light traffic · $15–25 BHM–downtown (typical, before surge) · On-demand · generally <10–15 min wait, 24/7
- **Yellow Cab of Birmingham** — Taxi · 10–15 min BHM–downtown in light traffic · $25–30 BHM–downtown (metered, plus tip) · On-demand via taxi stand or phone · typical waits 0–20 min depending on time of day

## Insider tips

- _Time_: Traffic at security spikes from about 5–7 a.m. Arrive around 90 minutes prior during the morning bank of departures.
- _Avoid_: Food options dwindle towards evening; eat downtown or bring snacks if flying late.
- _Quiet_: The far ends of Concourses A and B offer quieter spots for calls or work between flights.
- _Local_: Rideshares can be cost-effective but surge during events; compare to short-term parking fees.
- _Insider_: If connecting flights, 35–40 minutes is usually enough due to the airport's compact layout.
- _Family_: With kids, sit at the quiet ends of concourses where space is more open for play.
- _Money_: Rental cars are both quicker and cheaper than taxis for reaching Birmingham suburbs like Tuscaloosa.
- _Quiet_: Use landside seating near less-busy counters for a tranquil spot before security.