Transfers to and from Charlotte Douglas Airport

After arriving at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), a transfer is needed to get to the final destination of the journey, and likewise a transfer is needed to get to the airport before a departure to a different destination. Other than a personal car there are a few options of transfer available at CLT including rental cars, public transportation buses and taxis.

Please remember to collect all luggage from the baggage claim area before proceeding to your choice for transfer.

Transfers at CLT Airport

Rental Cars – The rental car companies at Charlotte Douglas International Airport are all located in the parking facility located opposite the terminal building where the first 3 levels are designated to rental cars. There are walkways situated on the upper level of the terminal building with direct access to the second level of the parking facility building. The second level is where the car rental companies’ desks are located. Some companies offer walk-ups, but it is always a good idea to pre-arrange for the rental car of choice.

Public Transport Buses – CATS, Charlotte Area Transit System, operates the Sprinter, their line number 5, which serves the airport and City Center Charlotte with an express bus. It runs between the airport and Charlotte Transportation Center with multiple stops at key locations along the way.

Buses run from the CATS bus stop to the right on the curbside outside the Baggage Claim area on the Arrivals level of the airport beginning around 6.00 AM and ending between midnight and 1.00 AM every day of the week. Departures take place every 15 minutes during day time during the weekdays, while in the mornings and evenings they depart every 30 minutes and later evening/night they run once every hour. There are slightly fewer departures during the weekends than during weekdays.

Tickets are around $3.00 for a single adult journey and they are purchased on the bus directly from the bus driver. The trip from one end of the route to the other takes approximately 25 minutes.

Taxis – There are taxi cabs waiting outside the Arrivals level’s baggage claim area. Four different taxi companies are licensed to provide their services to travelers from the airport, but other companies can be used to transfer to the airport, or through pre-arranging the transfer from the airport. Only the companies with licenses are however following the requirements put into place by CLT, which includes credit card technology and a GPS system. The journey takes 15-20 minutes to City Center Charlotte and costs around $25 for up to 2 passengers.

Hotel Shuttles – Some hotels offer a shuttle service to their guests for transferring between the airport and the hotel. These transfers are pre-arranged through the hotel by the traveler or their representative. Hotel airport shuttles pick up their guests to the left on curbside outside the baggage claim area on Arrivals level.

Limousines and Shuttles – Private transfer options such as a shuttle or a limousine are arranged in advance by the traveler or someone that represents them. They will inform the traveler of the exact pick-up location.

Ride Shares – Ride Share companies are available for transfer to or from the airport. Arrange it using the company’s app or website. Pick-ups take place across from the CATS bus stop located to the right outside the baggage claim area.

Trains – The airport does not have a train station, but there is an Amtrak station on the other side of central Charlotte and the light rail that connects different Charlotte areas with each other has stations in several locations. To connect with the Amtrak station through public transportation a change of buses is required. This can be done in several different locations along the Sprinter route. Sprinter is the public transportation bus route that connects the airport with City Center Charlotte. More about using the train to get to Charlotte Douglas Airport.