Charlotte is surrounded by modern skyscrapers, but this city also has a calm and friendly atmosphere typical of the southern states. While walking around the city center, you will encounter both art galleries and modern city parks. Charlotte is a paradise for motorsports enthusiasts. NASCAR events held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway race track are the city’s most famous events. The U.S. National Whitewater Center is a favorite spot for adventure-seeking travelers, offering rafting, ziplining, mountain biking, and hiking trails. If you’re looking for a more peaceful day surrounded by nature, I recommend visiting Freedom Park. Covering 98 acres, this park is Charlotte’s most beloved green space, featuring walking trails and a lake. The city has NASCAR museums, racing shops, and many venues that reflect car culture. Charlotte is both a modern financial center and a city full of nature and adventure activities.
Transportation from the airport to the city center takes very little time. You can reach the city center by taxi in 15-20 minutes. Taxis operate 24 hours a day at the airport. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is located very close to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Billy Graham Library, Bank of America Stadium, and U.S. National Whitewater Center.
There are regular bus services from the airport to the city center. CATS operates two bus routes here. Route 5 runs from the airport to the city center. Route 60 runs to the LYNX Tyvola station.
Interactive Charlotte Douglas Airport Map
Charlotte Douglas Airport Terminal
There is one terminal building at Charlotte Douglas Airport. The main terminal has three floors. The terminal has 124 gates and five concourses. The five concourses are connected to the central terminal building. The first floor of the terminal has exits to the baggage claim area, car rental center, and hourly parking level. The second floor is reserved for check-in and ticketing. There are five separate security checkpoints in the terminal. These areas provide access to the concourses.
Concourse A has 32 gates. It is divided into the main pier and two extension piers. The main pier serves American Airlines. The other piers handle flights for airlines such as United, Southwest, and Delta.
Concourse B and Concourse C are reserved exclusively for American Airlines domestic flights. Concourse B has 16 gates, and Concourse C has 18 gates.
Concourse D is used for international flights. There are 8 gates here. Passport and immigration controls are carried out in the Federal Inspection Services area in the D and E connecting corridor.
Concourse E has 33 gates. This is the airport’s largest concourse. This area is used for regional flights.
Check-in counters, self-service kiosks, and bag drop points are located throughout the terminal. Security checkpoints are crowded in the early morning and evening hours. There are restaurants, cafes, and shops inside the terminal.
Charlotte Douglas Airport Car Rental
If you want to explore North Carolina’s stunning nature and drive around downtown Charlotte, you can rent a car at Charlotte Douglas Airport. After picking up your car, you can reach Lake Norman, just 30 minutes from the airport. If you have time, you can take a 2-hour drive to explore the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains. Driving on Charlotte’s wide roads is quite easy.
At Charlotte Douglas Airport, car rental offices are located on the 2nd floor of the Hourly Deck building in front of the terminal. All car rental companies operate in the Car Rental Center in the parking garage. Take the escalator from the Arrivals level to the walkway on the lower level. Continue from this area and take the elevator to the 2nd floor. Once you enter the lobby, you can immediately find the counter of the rental company you will be renting a car from. You do not need to take any shuttle to reach the car rental center. You can rent your car immediately after picking up your luggage.
Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National provide services at the car rental center. There are over 3,000 vehicles in total here. You can make your car reservation online before your trip. Charlotte Douglas Airport is a busy and crowded airport. Sometimes it can be difficult to find a suitable vehicle when arriving without a reservation.
Charlotte Douglas Airport VIP Lounge
Charlotte Douglas Airport has comfortable VIP Lounge areas where you can wait for your flight.
American Airlines Admirals Club serves in two separate locations in the terminal. The American Airlines Admirals Club in Concourse B is located on Level 2. It is open between 4:14 a.m. and 10:45 p.m. The American Airlines Admirals Club in Concourse D is open between 05:15 and 22:45. This VIP Lounge has a buffet snack bar, open bar, workstations, and Wi-Fi. You can access the lounge area by paying at the door.
The American Express Centurion Lounge is located on the mezzanine level between Concourses D and E. This lounge area features shower facilities, buffet dining, a premium bar, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a family room. It is open between 05:30 and 22:30.
The Club CLT is located in Concourse A between gates A21 and A22. It is open between 05:30 and 21:30. Here, showers, private work pods, a fully stocked bar, and local delicacies are available. Priority Pass members can use the lounge area free of charge.
Hotels in Charlotte Douglas Airport
There is no terminal-connected hotel at Charlotte Douglas Airport. Charlotte Douglas Airport has many comfortable hotels in the surrounding area that offer shuttle service to the airport.
DoubleTree by Hilton Charlotte Airport is approximately 1.8 miles from the airport. The biggest advantage of this hotel is its free shuttle service.
Holiday Inn Charlotte Airport is 2 miles from Charlotte Douglas Airport. You can quickly reach the hotel from the airport with a free 24-hour shuttle. The hotel has a swimming pool, fitness center, and restaurant.
IHG Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte Airport, Residence Inn by Marriott Charlotte Airport, and Hyatt Place Charlotte Airport also offer free shuttle service. Most hotels near the airport are also close to the city center.
Charlotte Douglas Airport Location
Charlotte Douglas Airport Address: 5501 Josh Birmingham Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28208, United States.
Charlotte Douglas Airport IATA: CLT.
Charlotte Douglas Airport ICAO: KCLT.
Satellite view of Charlotte Douglas Airport. Click to enlarge
Charlotte Douglas Airport destination map (March 2026). Click to enlarge