Bus Transfers To and From Charlotte Douglas Airport

When arriving at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a transfer is needed to get to the final destination of the journey. Before proceeding to the transfer option of choice, please make sure to collect your entire luggage from the baggage claim area. There are several options of transfer from the airport, including rental cars, taxis, public transportation buses and some hotels offer airport shuttle services to their guests (usually at an additional cost).

Public Transportation Buses at CLT Airport

The Charlotte Area Transit System, CATS for short, is operated by the City of Charlotte and it provides a direct connection between Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Charlotte City Center. 

The route is line 5 and it is called Sprinter. It stops in several locations during the route between the airport terminal and Charlotte Transportation Center in the city center, including at Wilkinson & Ashley and Morehead & Grandin, as well as at convenient locations in the center (like Trade and Tryon streets and Gateway Village) and several popular hotels are located near the route stops. 

The Sprinter departs from approximately 5.30 in the morning to sometime after midnight on weekdays with first departure slightly later on weekends. 

During the day departures take place every 15 minutes while it’s every 30 minutes early mornings and during evenings and once every hour during the later hours.

The Sprinter also makes it easy to connect with other CATS routes and services for those that need to transfer to get to their desired destination in the Charlotte area. 

CATS, Charlotte Area Transit System, routes have sleek new shelters, making it easy to spot a bus stop and to protect travelers from the weather elements while waiting for the bus to arrive when going to the airport. 

The CATS bus stop at the airport terminal is located to the right outside of the Baggage Claim area on Level 1. 

Tickets are purchased directly on the bus from the bus driver when boarding the Sprinter. A single journey adult ticket is around $3.00 with discounts available for certain groups, such as seniors, youth and disabled, provided they fulfil the requirements. 

Hotel Shuttles at Charlotte Douglas Airport

Hotel shuttles pick up their guests outside the Arrivals/Baggage Claim area, to the left. These are pre-arranged through the hotel by the traveler or their representative.