A guide to John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
Quick insights
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) has a single terminal with three concourses and mainly serves domestic flights.
- The airport offers multiple ground transportation options, including taxi and rideshare services, COTA Route 7 and hotel shuttles.
- You may want to consider arriving 90 minutes before a domestic flight and 2 hours before international flights.
CMH is the gateway to Columbus—Ohio’s state capital—and its neighboring communities. Each year, millions of travelers use the airport, drawn by Columbus’s status as a major business hub, the presence of The Ohio State University and more.
While most flights are domestic, CMH offers a few seasonal international routes to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Renamed in 2016 after Ohio-born astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn, the airport’s code “CMH” comes from its original name, Columbus Municipal Hanger.
Whether you’re visiting for a Buckeyes game, a tech conference or a trip to the Ohio Statehouse, this guide can help you navigate parking, transportation and security at CMH.
Navigating to and from CMH Airport
CMH is located at 4600 International Gateway, Columbus, OH 43219. Downtown Columbus is about 7 miles away via-670 West. The drive typically takes 10 to 15 minutes, depending on traffic.
You have several options for ground transportation at CMH, all of which are accessible from the arrivals/baggage claim level, with signage directing travelers to the appropriate pickup area. Transportation options include:
- Taxi and rideshare services: Hail a taxi or request a ride through a rideshare app. Check the app for specific pickup details.
- COTA Route 7: This bus stops at CMH’s ground transportation area and provides service to downtown Columbus.
- Hotel shuttle: Several hotels operate courtesy shuttles to and from the airport. Contact your hotel for specific details.
- Car rental: Take the purple shuttle from the ground transportation area to the rental car center, which is located on International Gateway near the Cell Phone Waiting Lot.
- Limo and charter buses: CMH provides a list of providers on their site. Advance booking may be required.
Visit CMH’s site for more information about ground transportation optionsOpens overlay.
Parking at CMH
Parking options at CMH include:
- Short- and long-term parking garage: This garage, located just across from the main terminal, offers covered parking, optional car cleaning service and EV charging. The short-term garage area is on level 4.
- Green shuttle lot: This lot is located at 3256 E 17th Ave. and is serviced by a shuttle approximately every 15 to 18 minutes.
- Red shuttle lot: This long-term parking option is located at 3795 International Gateway and is also serviced by a parking shuttle. EV charging is available.
- Cell Phone Waiting Lot: This lot serves as a waiting area while you wait for a passenger’s flight to land.
- Walking lot: Located at 4370 International Gateway (northwest of the parking garage), it’s roughly a 10-minute walk to the terminal. No shuttle service is provided, but EV charging is available.
- Valet parking: Located at curbside ticketing, this parking option is designed for quick and efficient entry and exit.
CMH’s website tracks parking capacityOpens overlay in real time, as well as a parking cost calculator.
Security at CMH
Each of the airport’s three concourses at CMH has its own TSA security checkpoint at the entrance. TSA wait times are typically between 10 and 20 minutes but may be longer during peak hours.
Longer lines at security may occur during early mornings, late afternoons, holidays, university events and summer vacation season. You can track real-time TSA wait timesOpens overlay on CMH’s site.
Airport officials recommend arriving at CMH at least 90 minutes before domestic flights and 2 hours before international flights. When determining your airport arrival time, you may want to consider how long pre-boarding tasks like checking bags or clearing security will take.
How to get through security faster
CMH participates in some Trusted Traveler Programs (TTPs), including TSA PreCheck® and Global Entry, which can help streamline security and passport screenings.
With TSA PreCheck, eligible travelers can use designated lanes at airport security checkpoints and typically don’t need to remove light jackets, shoes or belts during screenings. CMH operates an enrollment center where travelers can apply for TSA PreCheck membership. Eligible travelers may even be approved in time for their return trip, although it could take as long as 60 days to receive a decision.
Global Entry members can skip the standard customs line and use designated kiosks to scan their passport, provide fingerprints and complete a customs declaration. Members also receive TSA PreCheck benefits.
Some credit cards offer reimbursement for TTP application fees.
CMH map
The airport offers an interactive mapOpens overlay on their website, which includes amenities, dining and shopping locations. You can also search for specific vendors and see if they’re located pre- or post-security.
CMH terminal
CMH has a single terminal with three concourses. The terminal has an upper and lower level. Rescreening is necessary if a passenger must travel between concourses.
In addition to amenities like free Wi-Fi and charging stations, CMH features public art installations, local dining options and rotating exhibits showcasing Columbus culture.
In summary
CMH is the gateway to Columbus and its neighboring communities. This primarily domestic airport offers a variety of ground transportation options, including taxi and rideshare services, hotel shuttles and COTA Route 7. There are also a range of short- and long-term parking options, as well as valet parking.
Travelers are advised to arrive 90 minutes before a domestic flight and 2 hours before an international flight. TSA wait times are generally between 10 and 20 minutes. Travelers who want to streamline their security screening may wish to enroll in TSA PreCheck.
