CVG Parking

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Guide to Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport

As the only airport in Kentucky and the neighboring states of Indiana and Ohio to provide non-stop services to Europe, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is one of the biggest and busiest in all three states.

An innovative layout of terminal facilities, featuring two concourses and four runways, makes CVG one of very few airports in the world capable of a simultaneous triple landing and/or take-off. This allows the 13 airlines currently operating at Cincinnati Airport to run more than 375 direct flights to and from over 50 destinations every day.

Location of CVG Airport

Located 13 miles (20.9 kilometers) west of the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, CVG is actually in the state of Kentucky and resides just south of the Ohio River, which serves as the state line between Kentucky and Ohio.

This unique position puts the airport within easy reach of both states as well as Indiana, which is just 15 miles (24.1 kilometers) to the west of the airport. I-275 is an 84-mile (135.2-kilometer) highway loop that connects all three states and passes directly by CVG, with the 1.3-mile (2.1-kilometer) Kentucky Route 212 slip road providing direct access to the airport from the Interstate.

A half-hourly bus that runs between the airport and downtown Cincinnati also serves Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport. While CVG does not currently have its own dedicated rail facilities, Cincinnati’s Amtrak Union Terminal is only five minutes outside the city.

History of CVG Airport

Opened in 1944 with the approval of President Franklin D Roosevelt, Greater Cincinnati Airport was designed as a fighter pilot training facility, but the subsequent end of World War II meant that the airfield was soon declared surplus to military requirements.

In October 1946, a small wooden terminal building erected at the airport was converted for commercial service and the first commercial flight touched down just a few months later. Since then, the site now known as Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport has seen immense investment, development and renovation, including four complete overhauls of its terminal infrastructure, leading to the innovative modular facility in use today.

Developments to maximize efficiency while reducing traveler congestion and allowing for gradual expansion over the last few decades have enabled CVG to make the most of its unique geographical position, becoming a vital and award-winning hub for a new generation of low-cost internal airlines as well as a key destination in the east for many international airlines.

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Airport facilities

As one of the highest-rated regional airports in the world, CVG takes pride in making sure that its extensive food, retail and entertainment facilities are accessible to everyone. Home to branches of many of the world’s favorite fast food outlets and coffee shops, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport has invited some local flavors into the mix to give visitors a true taste of the region, whether you’re eating on the go or indulging in a pre-flight feast.

Being the primary airport for three separate states, CVG is equipped with a comprehensive range of retailers offering everything from travel essentials to the latest books, fashion collections, cutting-edge technologies and a hand-picked choice of mementos, souvenirs and gifts from local independent artisans and the airport’s own duty free facility.

If you have any special requirements for your time at Cincinnati Airport, you can find a complete list of its accessibility facilities, contact details for the airport assistance team, terminal maps and layouts and a helpful list of step-by-step instructions to and from your gate here.

Facilities at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport include:

• Airport gallery and museum

• ATMs

• Baggage services

  • Baggage carts

  • Baggage wrap

• Car hire

• Chapel/interfaith meditation room

• Executive lounges

  • Business facilities

• Family facilities

  • Baby care rooms

  • Children’s play area

• Fitness paths

• Food and drink

  • Bars

  • Cafés

  • Fast food

  • Restaurants

• Internet access

  • WiFi

• Lost property

• Massage bars

• Medical services and first aid

• Parking facilities

  • Long-term parking

  • Short-term parking

  • Premium parking

  • Valet services

• Pay phones

• Phone and laptop charging

• Post office

• Shoe shine services

• Shopping

  • Convenience stores

  • Duty free

  • Luxury goods

• Smoking area

• Special assistance

• Toilets

• Transport facilities

• Vending machines

• Viewing platform

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Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport hotel and parking

As one of the few airports in the USA to simultaneously cater to the needs of three states, CVG features its own on-site hotel and is surrounded by a range of hotels, motels and inns offering affordable accommodation, five-star luxury and flexible parking packages for travelers.

Situated on airport grounds and only a two-minute drive to the terminal building, Cincinnati Airport DoubleTree is the closest you can stay to check-in. Along with a comprehensive range of luxurious facilities including a pool, a state-of-the-art spa and even a dedicated library, the DoubleTree offers complimentary parking for the night of your stay as well as a range of flexible Park, Stay and Go packages, so you can tailor your parking to your trip. The hotel is also on the shuttle bus route that runs between the terminal and CVG’s long-term ValuPark facility, which makes using the airport’s own lots a viable and convenient option.

Just over two miles (3.2 kilometers) away from CVG, the Holiday Inn Cincinnati Airport is an affordable and family-friendly option if you’re looking to save some money and still be close to the airport. As well as complimentary parking for the night of your stay, the Holiday Inn offers a Fly and Park deal that includes up to two weeks of parking. Not only does the Holiday Inn operate a free, on-demand shuttle service that takes just five minutes to reach the terminal, it is also near a stop on the TANK 2X Airport bus route, which makes getting to and from downtown Cincinnati quick and convenient.

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Top things to do in Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport

Three times the choice

As well offering fast food from a range of America’s favorite names, CVG invites you to experience a unique fusion of Tri-State flavors from the best restaurants, diners and delis from across Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.

Whether you’re after a quick bite of a bagel or a burger or a sit-down for steaks, soups or salads, CVG Airport’s fresh selection will keep you satisfied before you fly.

From the designer to the delicious

The Tri-State area has long been of cultural importance and, as such, CVG is home to a number of independent shops where you can browse artworks, souvenirs and gifts that celebrate the region’s incredible diversity.

From handcrafted sculpture, jewelry and clothing that continue the rich traditional practices of the area’s indigenous peoples, all the way through to its now-iconic BBQ sauces, moonshine jams and homegrown recipe books, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport is guaranteed to have something to help you remember your stay or inspire others to visit.

A cultural cacophony

CVG is proud to have on permanent display the striking works of the late artist, teacher and much-loved ‘Cincy' native, Charley Harper, whose stylized, geometric interpretations of the region’s verdant countryside capture its effortless and constantly changing seasonal beauty with a refreshing contemporary approach that hints at the exciting potential of the Tri-State’s thriving creative community.

However, working in partnership with the Cincinnati Museum Center, the airport also displays a colorful and eclectic rotating selection of items and artefacts from the region’s past, including a large collection of weird and wonderful vintage cars, real mastodon bones and former-CVG board member Neil Armstrong’s very own space suit. So, whatever you and your family are interested in, there’s bound to be something that catches your eye before it’s time to fly.

Pre-flight pampering

The Club Lounge at CVG is open to all travelers, so you can treat yourself to complimentary drinks, snacks, magazines and TV, finish up some work using the exclusive business facilities or catch up on some sleep in the dedicated quiet room before you hit the skies. All you need to do is pay a one-off fee on the door to have access to the facilities for the day.

A massage in minutes

If you’re feeling the effects of long-distance travel, CVG’s massage bars are specially designed to smoothen out the stress, aches and pains of it all. Focusing on the neck, shoulders, back, arms and hands, the massage bars, located at gates 7 and 16, offer a choice of 15- and 30-minute massage treatments with no appointment necessary, so you can pop in on even the tightest of schedules.

Little animals

Let the kids blow off some steam and give yourself a deserved coffee break at the same time with CVG’s Cincinnati Zoo-themed play area, which is conveniently located in the food court. Featuring colorful, climbable structures, ride-on animal models and inspirational activities, a trip to the play area before you fly will help to keep your little animals on their best behavior during the flight.

Stretch your legs

If you’re feeling restless, CVG Airport offers you the choice of four different walking paths around the terminal, which take you past some of the most intriguing artworks and artefacts on display. Ranging from five minutes to 15, why not go for a wander to discover a different side to the airport?

Dress to impress

You can step off the plane in style thanks to CVG’s team of shoe-shiners, which operates throughout the day across both concourses at gates 4 and 13. Treat your patent, nubuck and suede leather shoes to either a standard buff or wax shine to complete your look, whether you’re heading out on vacation or wanting to make an impression in the meeting room

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Top things to do near Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport

A museum of museums

Built at the height of Cincinnati’s role as a major hub for railroad traffic in the late-19th century, the stunning Art Deco Union Terminal once saw over 216 trains come and go every single day. However, after the decline of railroad travel in the USA, the terminal building was saved from demolition and preserved as an historic landmark in 1973, before being renovated and redeveloped as the Cincinnati Museum Center in 1986.

As well as being home to a fully-functioning Amtrak station, the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal now houses the Cincinnati History Museum, the Museum of Natural History and Science, the five-story OMNIMAX Theater, the Cincinnati Historical Societal Library, the Duke Energy Children’s Museum and the Cincinnati Railroad Club.

Whether you’re visiting the region for the first time or you’re a Tri-State regular, at just 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) from CVG, there’s always something to see in one of Cincinnati’s most iconic buildings.

The garden of Eden

Just 20 minutes east of CVG Airport, the Krohn Conservatory has stood in Eden Park for over 120 years and contains over 35,000 unusual plant species collected from all around the world.

The conservatory’s extensive range of gardens and collections includes bonsai trees, a desert garden featuring exotic cacti and succulents, an orchid display in year-round bloom and a 46-foot (14-meter) palm house that contains fruiting banana trees, which is a sight to be seen whether you’re a budding botanist or you fancy some fresh air amongst the flora.

Historical house of Ohio

The Taft Museum of Art is a lovingly preserved Greek Revival house filled with an incredible collection of European paintings, sculpture and Chinese porcelain that was donated in its entirety to the state by the family of President William Howard Taft in 1927.

Housing works by such old masters and world-famous artists as Dutch polymath, Rembrandt van Rijn, and the British ‘painter of light’, JMW Turner, the museum has recently undergone substantial renovations in order to introduce a gift shop, an atmospheric café-restaurant and a performance space.

If you’ve got time before you fly, why not take the 20-minute trip and explore a unique gallery that is as arresting as the works it exhibits?

A sign of the times

From one American institution of art to another, the American Sign Museum has restored, preserved and archived over 3,800 items and artefacts of signage, ranging from elaborate and intricate gold-leaf lettering from the late-19th century to the neon glow of the 1970s and 1980s.

Half an hour north of CVG, the museum displays over 200 signs from the collection at any one time and visitors can expect to be welcomed to the museum by a pristine Frisch’s Big Boy statue complete with slingshot and a 20-foot (6.1-meter) tall fiber-glass genie.

A colorful and eclectic slice of iconic Americana, paying a visit to the American Sign Museum is an easy-going way to explore an alternative side of the county’s more recent history.

How do you zoo?

The second-oldest zoo in the country, Cincinnati Zoo was founded in 1875 and has since earned itself the reputation as one of the best in the world for both its visitor attractions and its extensive history of contributions to conservation and breeding programs for critically endangered species.

Presenting visitors with a rare opportunity to see unusual animals, including bonobo monkeys, Sumatran rhinoceroses, Malaysian tigers, western lowland gorillas and Californian sea lions, Cincinnati Zoo regularly attracts over 3,000 people a day.

It’s a good idea to guarantee entry by pre-booking your tickets, especially during peak periods; they are valid for a full year from the date of purchase.

Hit a home run

Step up to the plate at the Great American Ball Park, home of baseball’s first-ever professional team, the Cincinnati Reds, and their prestigious Hall of Fame. Featuring scorebooks and paraphernalia dating from their first professional game in 1869, plaques commemorating the 81 inductees into the Hall of Fame and their three World Series trophies, the Great American Ball Park is a sporting institution just 30 minutes from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport. Keep an eye on the schedule and see if you can catch a game before you fly.

Ohio on high

An impressive 574 feet (175 meters) tall, the 49-story Carew Tower is a beloved part of the downtown Cincinnati skyline. Completed in 1930, it is one of the tallest buildings in America to have been constructed before World War II and has been lovingly preserved for over 80 years since.

Featuring a decadent French Art Deco atrium, nicknamed the ‘Hall of Mirrors’, the beauty of the tower’s interior almost rivals the breathtaking views from the observation deck on the uppermost floor. If you’re short on time and want to take in all the city has to offer before you fly, make sure to stop by the Carew Tower at the heart of Cincinnati and only 13 miles (20.9 kilometers) from CVG.

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Which terminal?

The modular design of CVG’s terminal facility features automated people-movers that connect the ticketing hall and both concourses to make movement easy and efficient for the airport’s seven million annual visitors.

The design also maximizes runway space so that the airport can accommodate the largest class of commercial aircraft, including the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380. Already a major hub for Delta Air Lines and an important focus-base for new ultra-low-cost operators, Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines, Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport uses less than half of its potential gate capacity, which means that future expansion is a real possibility.

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How to get to Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport

Car

CVG is located at the end of the Kentucky Route 212 slip road that is connected to the I-275 Cincinnati loop at exit 4. You can navigate straight to Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport using the ZIP code KY 41048 and find live traffic updates for the area here.

From downtown Cincinnati, you take the I-75 S and join the I-275 at exit 185 to head west towards the airport. The journey is approximately 13 miles (20.9 kilometers) long and takes around 16 minutes in good traffic.

Bus

TANK, the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky, runs the 2X Airport Express service (known locally as the ‘Airporter’) between downtown Cincinnati and CVG every 30 minutes from 5am to 1am, seven days a week. The average journey time is 30-40 minutes, but bear in mind that this depends on traffic and point of boarding. You can find more information on the 2X route and up-to-date timetables on the TANK website.

Train

While CVG does not currently have its own dedicated rail facilities, Cincinnati’s iconic Union Terminal is only five minutes outside of the city center. Operated by Amtrak, the station provides access to the city’s light rail system and the transcontinental rail network.

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Useful tips

Know the local names

Confusingly, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport, its terminal facility and the road leading to it are all known locally by a few different names.

The airport’s code, CVG, comes from the nearest major city at the time of its opening, Covington, Kentucky, and, depending on where you are, locals may refer to CVG as Covington Airport.

CVG’s terminal facility is officially known as Terminal 3 despite being the only one there. Its predecessors, Terminals A, 1 and 2, have been demolished in anticipation of further development and expansion.

I-275 is signed as the Cincinnati By-Pass and officially known as the Donald H Rolf Circle Freeway. However, locals rarely use either of these names and instead refer to it simply as the ‘two-seventy-five’.

Underground trains run between the main terminal and Concourses A and B

There are trains running every 90 seconds to form underground connections for passengers wanting to get around quickly at CVG. The people-mover runs about 500 round-trips between the main terminal (Terminal 3) and both Concourses (A and B).

Check the height of your vehicle before parking

CVG’s short-term and premium parking facilities are contained within a multi-story garage, which enforces a height restriction of 6.8 feet (2.1 meters) throughout. Be sure to check the height of your vehicle before you set off and if you are over the limit, allow yourself time to park in the airport’s open-air long-term facility instead.

Plan your path before you arrive

If you’re nervous about finding your way through CVG or unsure where you need to be, the airport provides a series of useful step-by-step instructions to and from key parts of the parking facilities and terminal buildings.

There’s an indoor smoking lounge at gate 11

Unusually for American airports, passengers who smoke don’t have to go outside to enjoy a cigarette or cigar. You can pay a small daily entry fee to the Graycliff lounge at gate 11 to avoid having to come back through security after smoking outside the terminal building.

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Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport FAQs

Where can I find more information about my flight?

CVG’s flight status page lets you track your flight by number, airline, date and destination, as well as providing a weather report for the area.

What accessibility facilities does CVG have?

Every aspect of CVG Airport has been specifically designed to serve the needs of all its visitors and ensure their stay is an easy and comfortable one. A comprehensive list of features, terminal maps and contact details can be found here.

What happens if I’ve lost something at Cincinnati Airport?

If you have lost something anywhere on airport property, you can fill in this form and expect a reply within 48 hours. Your belongings can then be picked up from the Airport Police Department during normal business hours.

CVG is not, however, responsible for any items left onboard your plane, so you are advised to contact your airline to locate your belongings.

Can I charge my phone at CVG?

There are accessible sockets throughout the terminal facility, as well as comfortable seating with integrated power banks in the departures lounge so you can recharge your devices while you relax.

What is the busiest time at CVG Airport?

Between the hours of 7am and 8am is usually when Cincinnati Airport is at its busiest, so try to avoid flying at that time if you can. If you can’t avoid it, plan to arrive a bit earlier than usual to navigate the queues and security checks before you board.