# Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)

> Cincinnati / Covington, US · 20 km (12 mi) southwest of downtown Cincinnati

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

## Facts

- **IATA**: CVG
- **ICAO**: KCVG
- **Timezone**: America/New_York
- **Runways**: 4
- **Terminals**: 1
- **Passengers**: 9.13M/yr
- **Hub for**: Allegiant Air, DHL Aviation, Amazon Air
- **Official site**: https://www.cvgairport.com

## Overview

## Welcome

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) delights travelers by behaving like a large-scale cargo hub while serving as a low-stress passenger airport. Situated 20 km (12 miles) southwest of downtown Cincinnati, this airport simplicity is matched with solid amenities, easy parking, and short security lines, courtesy of its significant role in the operations of Allegiant Air, DHL Aviation, and Amazon Air. This setup ensures a mostly calm experience despite its 9.13 million annual passengers.

## At a glance

Serving as a hub for Allegiant Air, DHL Aviation, and Amazon Air, CVG sees substantial cargo traffic alongside passenger flows. Its single Main Terminal houses popular airlines such as Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, and of course, Allegiant Air. The airport supports a seamless travel experience with four runways and easy accessibility from downtown Cincinnati.

## Terminals & layout

The Main Terminal at CVG is where you'll find everything you need. Designed with a passenger-first approach, the layout is efficiently compact. If you're in the habit of rushing last minute, rest assured: even the farthest gates are accessible in under 15 minutes on foot. Security queues are typically minimal, except during the peak travel times—early Monday mornings and late Sunday afternoons.

## Getting to and from the city

Traveling to and from CVG is straightforward, with multiple options at your disposal. If you opt for public transit, the TANK Route 2X Airporter provides service for just a couple of bucks with a 30–40 minute ride. Taxis can get you downtown in 15–20 minutes, but rideshares like Uber and Lyft often provide a cheaper alternative. If you decide to drive, the rental car center or myriad parking options, such as the Economy Lot at $10/day or ValuPark at $12/day, have you covered.

## Traveller essentials

Parking at CVG is generously rated by locals due to its ease and affordability, with the Economy and ValuPark lots being popular choices. Car rentals are conveniently located 15–20 minutes away from downtown, ensuring you can hit the road with minimal delay. Stay budget-conscious by considering off-airport lots, which often offer competitive rates and perks like free coffee.

## Dining & shopping highlights

With 18 restaurants and 24 shops, you'll find plenty to satisfy any craving or shopping need. Notable dining options include Gold Star Chili for a taste of Cincinnati’s infamous chili, Smashburger for a quick burger, and the Hop & Cask in Concourse B for a more relaxed dining experience. Shopping isn't left behind, with The Fan Stand and Urban Crave offering a range of local and national products.

## Lounges

CVG provides several lounge options for travelers seeking a moment of rest. The Delta Sky Club offers a classic lounge experience, while the Escape Lounge in Concourse B offers entry for $60. For servicemen and women, there’s a USO Lounge located landside, offering a peaceful respite before your flight.

## Insider tips

- **Insider:** Take advantage of CVG’s compactness; many seasoned travelers suggest ignoring the first eateries past security to find less crowded spots deeper into the concourse.

- **Time:** Suggested arrival for Delta passengers on early Monday mornings or late Sunday afternoons is at least 1 hour before boarding, due to increased business travel.

- **Quiet:** Seek out unused gates for quiet, comfortable workspaces — a cargo focus leaves these areas uncrowded.

- **Avoid:** Late-hour flyers beware: concessions close early. Aim to grab snacks or meals well before the 8 p.m. cutoff to avoid vending machine dinner.

- **Local:** Before departing, indulge in Cincinnati-style fare at Gold Star Chili for a local culinary send-off.

- **Money:** Economy Lot parking at $10/day provides a budget-friendly option, but checking nearby lots may yield further savings.

- **Time:** Nighttime arrivals should consider pre-booking a taxi as Uber/Lyft availability can be unpredictable post-midnight.

- **Avoid:** Be mindful of signage when choosing on-site parking, as wrong turns can be common among first-time visitors.

## Terminals (1)

- **Main Terminal** — Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines
  The Main Terminal serves as the central hub for CVG.

## Dining (18)

- **Auntie Anne's**
- **Bluegrass Brewing Company**
- **Burke's Grill**
- **Chick-fil-A**
- **Chili's**
- **Gold Star Chili**
- **Great American Bagel**
- **Hop & Cask** — B
- **Max & Erma's**
- **McDonald's**
- **Outback Steakhouse** — B
- **Panda Express**
- **Pizzeria Pronto**
- **Samuel Adams Brewhouse**
- **Smashburger**
- **Starbucks**
- **Subway**
- **The Local Pub** — A

## Lounges (3)

- **Delta Sky Club** — Concourse B, airline lounge
- **Escape Lounge** — Concourse B · Concourse B, independent lounge · $60
- **USO Lounge** — landside · Pre-security, military lounge

## Shops (24)

- **Benefit Cosmetics**
- **Bicycle Playing Cards** — Main
- **Books & More**
- **Brooks Brothers**
- **Cincinnati Reds Clubhouse**
- **Cincy Marketplace**
- **Creative Kidstuff**
- **Dude, Seriously Hot Sauce** — Main
- **Duty Free Americas**
- **Escape Lounge** — Main
- **Hudson**
- **Hudson Booksellers**
- **Illy** — Main
- **InMotion**
- **Jimmy John's** — Main
- **On The Move Vending** — Main
- **See's Candies**
- **Shop24** — Main
- **Subway Vending** — Main
- **Taxco Sterling**
- **The Fan Stand** — Main
- **The Scoreboard**
- **Urban Crave** — Main
- **Vera Bradley**

## Parking (6)

- **Cell Phone Lot** — next to terminal
- **CVG Economy Lot** — Remote · $10/day · 1 mi
- **CVG Terminal Garage** — Long stay · $23/day · next to terminal
- **CVG Terminal Garage - Premium Reserved** — Long stay · $27/day · next to terminal
- **CVG Valet Parking** — Valet · $35/day · next to terminal
- **CVG ValuPark** — Long stay · $12/day · 0.5 mi

## Ground transport (8)

- **Charter Bus Service** — Coach · 20-25 min · usually less expensive per-person/ends up cheaper than two Ubers · likely longer due to waiting on group formation, "30-45 minute buffer" needed before bus departure
- **Hotel Shuttles** — Courtesy shuttle · /runs every 20–30 minutes/ · "every 20–30 min"
- **Lyft** — Rideshare · 15-20 min · "runs every 10 min" [absent], "late... no problem, maybe a 5-minute wait" [incl]
- **Private Car Service** — Pre-booked car · '...adds meet‑and‑greet parking and waiting time at CVG to the base fare.'
- **Rental Car Center** — Car rental · 15-20 min
- **TANK Route 2X Airporter** — Bus · /30–40 minutes/ · /a couple bucks/ · /primarily a commuter route, with very limited or no late‑evening and Sunday service/ long wait compared with big-city airport transit/
- **Taxi Service** — Metered taxi · 15-20 min · "definitely more than Uber/" "quite a bit more" than Uber/Lyft for solo riders · /longer for a taxi during late‑night lulls: variability in car condition/ car condition and driver friendliness among the taxi companies: variability, variability: user complaints/
- **Uber** — Rideshare · 15-20 min · /short waits right after big bank of arrivals/ generally good late‑night coverage, 2*, fluc. waits a common occurrence. Short waits common due to popular service/

## Insider tips

- _Insider_: Take advantage of CVG’s compactness; many seasoned travelers suggest ignoring the first eateries past security to find less crowded spots deeper into the concourse.
- _Time_: Suggested arrival for Delta passengers on early Monday mornings or late Sunday afternoons is at least 1 hour before boarding, due to increased business travel.
- _Quiet_: Seek out unused gates for quiet, comfortable workspaces — a cargo focus leaves these areas uncrowded.
- _Avoid_: Late-hour flyers beware: concessions close early. Aim to grab snacks or meals well before the 8 p.m. cutoff to avoid vending machine dinner.
- _Local_: Before departing, indulge in Cincinnati-style fare at Gold Star Chili for a local culinary send-off.
- _Money_: Economy Lot parking at $10/day provides a budget-friendly option, but checking nearby lots may yield further savings.
- _Time_: Nighttime arrivals should consider pre-booking a taxi as Uber/Lyft availability can be unpredictable post-midnight.
- _Avoid_: Be mindful of signage when choosing on-site parking, as wrong turns can be common among first-time visitors.