With 140 daily flights and more than 3 million annual passenger traffic, navigating through Louisville International Airport (SDF) is a challenging task. The airport spans over 1500 acres and also serves as UPS Worldport. Don’t worry; in this guide, you will read everything about Louisville International Airport, including amenities, parking, hotels, and more.
About Louisville International Airport
Louisville International Airport, officially known as Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, is a civil-military airport in Kentucky. The airport has an annual passenger traffic of more than 3 million and is also a major cargo hub. The airport has 140 daily flights to more than 35 destinations. SDF Airport has three runways and two concourses – Concourse A and Concourse B
Louisville International Airport History
Louisville International Airport was built in 1941 as Standiford Field and opened to the public in 1947. In the next twenty-five years, it expanded significantly with more passenger traffic. A 33,000-square-foot Delta Air Line concourse was built, and in the 1980s, UPS operations began. Later, in 2019, the airport was renamed Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in honor of boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
Where Is SDF Airport?
Louisville International Airport (SDF) is in Jefferson County, Kentucky, at 600 Terminal Drive, Louisville, KY 40209.
SDF Parking and Transportation
SDF Airport offers onsite parking options such as a Parking Garage, Surface Parking Lot, Premier East Lot, Premier West Lot, Express Shuttle Parking Lot, and Valet parking. Alternatively, Global Airport Parking offers budget-friendly Louisville International Airport parking in the offsite lots.
How to Get to Louisville International Airport
SDF Airport offers different transportation options, including car rentals, scheduled bus services (TARC), ride apps, shuttles, and taxis.
Transportation Rates
TARC Bus Service: For buses operated by TARC, single-ride bus fare is $1.75 from W Jefferson St. If you use a MyTARC card or MyTARC Mobile, the cost is $1.50.
Taxis: The taxi fare between Louisville International Airport (SDF) and downtown Louisville is $19.55, and there is an additional charge of $3.00 per passenger, starting with the fifth passenger.
Lyft /Uber: The average fare to and from SDF Airport is $24
All these rates are subject to change
Car Rentals
Location: 600 Terminal Drive, Louisville, KY 40209. Nine rental car companies operate at SDF Airport: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty.
Ride App
Location: At the baggage claim level, on the west side of the terminal. Lyft and Uber are the two main ride app services available at SDF Airport.
Hotels near Louisville International Airport
Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Hotel Parking
Address: 830 Phillips Ln, Louisville, KY 40209
Distance: 0.3 miles
Days Inn by Wyndham SDF Airport Parking
Address: 2905 Fern Valley Road, Louisville, KY 40213
Distance: 2 miles
Red Roof Inn Louisville Expo Airport Parking
Address: 4704 Preston Hwy, Louisville, KY 40213
Distance: 2.3 miles
Best Western Premier Airport/Expo Center Hotel
Address: 4110 Dixie Hwy, Louisville, KY 40216
Distance: 8.7 miles
SDF Airport Food and Dining
Inside SDF Airport, you will come across different types of restaurants, bars, cafes, and more.
|
Restaurant |
Location |
Hours |
| Book and Bourbon Southern Kitchen | Outside security check-in (Pre-security) |
Daily: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. |
| Farmer’s Fridge | Ticketing Level and Baggage Claim Level (Pre-security)
Rotunda and Concourse A (Post security) |
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
|
| Bourbon Academy Tasting Room | Rotunda | Daily: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
| Chili’s Bar and Grill | Concourse A | Daily: 5 a.m. till last scheduled departure on
Concourse A |
| Coals Artisan Pizza | Concourse B | Daily: 4:30 a.m. till last scheduled departure on
Concourse B |
| Farmers Market | Concourse B | Open 24 hours, 7 days a week |
| The Local Rustic Market | Concourse A | Open 24 hours, 7 days a week |
|
Smashburger
|
Concourse B | 4:30 a.m. till the last scheduled departure on Concourse B |
| Travel Ease | Concourse A | Open 24 hours, 7 days a week |
| Starbucks Evenings | Rotunda (Post security) | Daily: 3:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Louisville International Airport Amenities
These are the amenities at Louisville International Airport
- ATMs
- Charging stations
- Information booth
- Language interpretation
- Lost baggage
- Pet relief area
- Mothers room
- The Classic Shine Company
- Pet relief area
- Internet services
- Shopping areas
- Rotating art exhibits
SDF Airport Shops
|
Shop |
Location |
Hours |
| Churchill Downs Store | Upper-Level Pre-Security | Daily: 4:30 a.m. – 8:15 p.m. |
| TODAY Store | Upper-Level Pre-Security | Daily: 4:30 a.m. – 8:15 p.m. |
| Distillery District Marketplace | Rotunda | Daily: 4:15 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
| Finish Line News | Rotunda | Daily: 4:15 a.m. – 8:15 p.m. |
| Hip & Humble | Rotunda | Daily: 4:15 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
| WAVE 3 News | Concourse B | Daily: 4:30 a.m.- 8:15 p.m. |
SDF Airport Lounges
The airport has one USO lounge for military personnel and their families. It is located before the TSA security checkpoint from the TODAY store.
Tourist Destinations near Louisville International Airport
Here are some of the tourist destinations near SDF Airport:
- Louisville Mega Cavern (3.3 miles)
- Colonel Sanders Museum (3.4 miles)
- Churchill Downs (4 miles)
- Kentucky Derby Museum (4 miles)
- Speed Art Museum (4.4 miles)
- Thomas Edison House (6.4 miles)
- Angel’s Envy Distillery (6.7 miles)
- Louisville Slugger Museum (7.8 miles)
- Actors Theatre of Louisville (8.1 miles)
- Muhammad Ali Center (8.3 miles)
Accessible SDF Airport Facilities
- GoodMaps Explore
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Braille signs
- TSA Cares
- Wheelchair assistance
Security at SDF Airport
The TSA Security Checkpoint is on the ticketing level and opens 90 minutes before the first departure of the day and closes approximately 30 minutes prior to the last departure. Also, CLEAR Mobile Lane is available near the main security checkpoint.
Read More: Guide to San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)
More Info
Why is the Louisville airport called SDF?
SDF is Louisville’s IATA code. It is named after its former name, Standiford Field, which was named after Dr. Elisha David Standiford, a United States representative.
How busy is Louisville Airport?
Louisville Airport handled 4.6 million passengers in 2023 and is the third busiest in the US in terms of cargo traffic.
How early should I arrive at SDF Airport?
It is recommended that you arrive at SDF Airport at least 2 hours before your domestic flights and at least 3 hours before international flights.
What time does TSA open at Louisville airport?
TSA opens 1.5 hours before the first departure of the day and closes about 30 minutes before the final departure.
How many terminals does Louisville airport have?
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) has one main passenger terminal, which is the Jerry E. Abramson Terminal.
What is Louisville International Airport ranked?
In terms of cargo, Louisville International Airport is the third-busiest airport in the US.
