Lambert-Saint Louis Layover Guide (STL)

What are you looking for in STL?
Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Saint Louis Airport (STL) is an international airport located in St. Louis, Missouri. It’s situated about 22 km (14 miles) from downtown St. Louis. The airport officially opened in 1929. St. Louis is one of the major cities in the Midwest, known for its rich cultural history and iconic Gateway Arch. The city offers a vibrant music scene, renowned cuisine, and numerous parks and attractions for both residents and visitors.

Can you leave Saint Louis Airport (STL) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
Yes—passengers on a layover at STL may exit the terminal if they clear U.S. immigration and customs and return in time for their connection. Non-U.S. citizens generally require a C-1 transit visa or ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program to re-enter. Allow at least two hours. (more info).

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Layover Guide Organized Tours

Layover Guide Things to do / Sightseeing

• Gateway Arch Iconic 630-foot monument symbolizing westward expansion offering breathtaking river and city skyline views via tram ride to the top while interactive immersive museum exhibits showcase culture and modern engineering marvels. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: MetroLink Blue Line to 8th & Pine station (~25 min) + 5-min walk.)
• City Museum City Museum, a playground of repurposed architectural elements, interactive art installations, climbing structures, tunnels and slides enticing visitors of all ages to explore whimsical environments and sculptures plus roof-top playground. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi (~15 min).)
• Saint Louis Art Museum Located in Forest Park, this world-class museum offers free admission to galleries showcasing European paintings, ancient artifacts, modern sculptures, rotating exhibitions, immersive installations spanning diverse global cultures and historical periods. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: MetroLink to Central West End station (~30 min) + 10-min walk.)
• Forest Park Spanning over 1,300 acres, Forest Park offers scenic walking trails, lakeside picnic areas, golf courses, paddle boats, and cultural institutions including museums and zoo ideal for a refreshing outdoor escape. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: MetroLink to Forest Park–DeBaliviere (~35 min) + shuttle bus (~10 min).)
• Citygarden Urban sculpture park featuring interactive fountains, vibrant flower beds, and over twenty contemporary artworks where visitors can wander, cool off in misting fountains, and appreciate art against the city skyline. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: MetroLink to 8th & Pine station (~25 min) + 5-min walk.)
• Saint Louis Zoo Home to over 18,000 animals representing 600 species in immersive habitats such as the Penguin & Puffin Coast, Big Cat Country, and Hands On Habitat offering interactive educational shows daily. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: MetroLink to Forest Park–DeBaliviere (~35 min) + shuttle bus (~10 min).)
• Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour Iconic brewery offering educational guided tours through historic brewing facilities, limestone aging cellars, and Clydesdale stables, concluding with complimentary samples at hospitality lounge showcasing flagship beers, history, and seasonal releases. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi (~15 min).)
• Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis Stunning Catholic cathedral renowned for its expansive mosaics depicting biblical scenes, ornate domes, and intricate architectural details offering a tour, serene sanctuary with inspiring panoramic views from its elevated balcony. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: Taxi (~15 min).)

Things to Do in Saint Louis Airport (STL)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
Saint Louis offers three main lounges: the American Airlines Admirals Club in Concourse C for membership or day-pass holders, the Wingtips Lounge in Terminal 2 accessible via Priority Pass or prepaid entry, and the USO in Terminal 1 for active military. All provide seating, refreshments, Wi-Fi and workspaces. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
Within a mile of STL, top options include Marriott St. Louis Airport and Hilton St. Louis Airport with complimentary shuttles, free Wi-Fi, fitness centers, pools and on-site dining. Budget-friendly Pear Tree Inn, Wingate by Wyndham and Drury Inn offer free breakfasts and 24-hour airport transfers, ideal for overnight stays near the terminals. view all or book an airport hotel online

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Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
Lambert is open 24 hours but has no dedicated rest zones, quiet areas or sleep pods. After security closes, travelers can rest in the landside ticketing lobby. Bring your own gear—airlines and TSA checkpoints operate on flight schedules so you’ll need to wait landside until morning reopening.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: STL offers complimentary Wi-Fi via the “STL Free WiFi” network provided by Boingo, with free four-hour sessions; additional time costs $7.95 per day. Coverage spans both terminals and most gates, with stronger performance in Terminal 2. Suitable for browsing, streaming and video calls at off-peak hours.

SIM/eSIM Card: There are no dedicated mobile kiosks at STL; Hudson News or airport gift shops may stock basic prepaid SIMs. For full service, visit nearby Best Buy or Walmart. Alternatively, purchase an international eSIM online (e.g., Airalo, Ubigi) before travel for instant activation and data coverage. » buy a global esim card for Layover Guide, that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: Curbside taxis operate 24/7 at exits 14 (Terminal 1) and 12 (Terminal 2). Metered fares start at $4.50 for the first 0.2 miles plus $3.00/mile and include a $4 airport fee; typical downtown trips run $35–50. Ride-sharing apps are also available curbside.

Train: The MetroLink Red Line light rail serves STL at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 stations. Trains run every 10–20 minutes from before 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., with one-way fares of $2.50. The 30-minute ride reaches downtown and Clayton. (more info)

Bus: Intercity buses (Greyhound and Burlington Trailways) depart daily from a curbside stop at 10985 Lambert Intl Blvd near Terminal 1; fares range $20–40 and travel time is about 30 minutes. No direct public MetroBus service from the terminals. (more info)

Shuttle: GO BEST Express offers shared-ride vans 6 a.m.–10 p.m. at counters in both terminals (exit 12), departing every 15–30 minutes; one-way $17 or round-trip $32. Many hotels run free shuttles—check with your property—and private car services like SuperShuttle ExecuCar provide direct or shared options by reservation.

Car rentals: The Consolidated Rental Car Facility is a short shuttle ride from both terminals. Major brands (Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National) operate 24/7 counters; shuttles run every 10 minutes. Reservations are recommended for best rates and model selection. view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: STL has several options: hourly parking in garages adjacent to each terminal ($4/hour, $24 daily max), long-term economy lots with free shuttles ($8/day), and premium valet service. Payment via cash, credit or mobile app; garages connect directly to terminals via elevators.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

There are no on-site luggage lockers or storage facilities at STL. Luggage carts cost $6 each in baggage claim. Travelers needing storage should use city services (e.g., Vertoe from $5.95/day) or check hotels for baggage holds. » book a luggage storage or locker at online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Saint Louis Airport (STL) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks