Dayton Airport Parking

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Guide to Dayton Airport

James M. Cox Dayton International Airport (DAY), commonly known as Dayton Airport, is the third-busiest in Ohio and falls inside the busiest 100 airports in the USA. In terms of land area, it covers over 4,500 acres (1,821 hectares) and is served by four airlines. The departure of Southwest was filled by the arrival of Allegiant Airlines and destinations are being added throughout the country. With an estimated economic impact of $1 billion in the Dayton area, Dayton International provides non-stop flights to 14 destinations and is also the location of the famous annual Vectren Dayton Air Show.

Location of Dayton Airport

Dayton International Airport is located nine miles (14.5 kilometers) from Downtown Dayton in Ohio. You can travel to the center of Dayton by renting a car, taking a taxi, organizing a prearranged van or car service or by bus. If you decide to rent a car, the rental facilities are located within the Baggage Claim area of the Terminal Building.

Taxis can be caught in the Ground Transportation area of the terminal and take around 15 minutes to reach Downtown Dayton. There is also the option to have a prearranged van or car service, which will take you to the destination of your choice. The kiosk at the terminal entrance provides information on the airport-permitted companies that operate from DAY.

If you would like to take the bus, you can catch Route 43 from outside the terminal entrance. The bus takes approximately 30 minutes to the center of Dayton and you can see the route map and schedule by clicking here.

For those wanting to travel to other cities, the Greyhound bus station is located 7.5 miles (12.1 kilometers) from Dayton Airport and 6.5 miles (10.5 kilometers) from Downtown Dayton, in the Trotwood area of the city.

History of Dayton Airport

Thanks to the Wright brothers, Dayton has been on the map for aviation since 1903 when they launched the first people-carrying flying machine in the world. Dayton Airport came into existence in 1928, when a group of businessmen inspired by the Wright brothers bought 311 acres (125.8 hectares) from the City of Dayton. However, the business venture didn’t take off and James M. Cox, an Ohio Governor, soon began fundraising to buy the airport, receive government grants and get it up and running again. Once this happened, the airport went from strength to strength and in 1952 it was renamed the James M. Cox-Dayton Municipal Airport in honor of the former Governor of Ohio. It became James M. Cox Dayton International Airport in 1975 and has since seen extensive renovation to keep up with the growing demand from passengers.

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Airport facilities

Dayton International Airport has a small selection of retail outlets and food and drink options available. For those looking to buy a newspaper, have a last-minute drink and bite to eat or pick up a souvenir, Concourses A and B and the main Terminal Building offer the opportunities to do so.

If you require special attention for your visit to Dayton Airport, it is advised to contact customer services before you arrive on (+1) 937-454-8200. If you need assistance on arrival, visit the information center, open from 6am to 9pm, located in the Baggage Claim area.

Here are some of the facilities available at DAY Airport:

• Short-stay parking

• Long-stay parking

• Valet parking

• Information desk

• Shopping

• Newsagents

• Food

  • Breakfast

  • Fast food

  • Cafés

• Drinks

  • Bars

  • Coffee shops

• Salon

• Shoe shine

• Toilets

• Disabled access

• Luggage carts

• Pet relief area

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Dayton Airport hotel and parking

For those of you taking an early flight from Dayton Airport or arriving late in the evening, you may want to consider a hotel and parking package. This enables you to start or finish your trip with a good night’s sleep, have your car safely parked during your trip and avoid the hassle of having to drive to and from the airport on your day of travel. Here are a few of the Park, Sleep and Fly options near DAY airport:

If you feel like starting your holidays before you arrive at the airport, check into the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dayton, just a 20-minute shuttle ride from the airport. Go for a dip in the swimming pool, dine in the rooftop restaurant or just relax in one of the modern guestrooms.

A cheaper option is the Red Lion Inn and Suites Dayton, where you can park your car and burn off some excess energy in the fitness center or the outdoor pool. You can also take advantage of the complimentary breakfast before taking the 7.5-mile (12.1-kilometer) shuttle ride to the airport.

For a budget choice, head to the Clarion Inn Dayton Airport, which is located less than 10 minutes from the airport. You don’t have to blow the budget to arrive for your trip feeling refreshed. At the Clarion Inn, you can go for a swim in the outdoor pool, relax on the sundeck or enjoy the free WiFi and newspaper in your room.

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Top things to do in Dayton Airport

Take in some art

If you find yourself in Dayton Airport with time to kill, have a wonder through the concourses where you can take in some of the local art. Designed to highlight the attractions in the region, they give you a taste of Dayton and Ohio without having to leave the airport.

Some pre-flight pampering

Located on the lower level behind the security checkpoint, you have the chance to spoil yourself at Whipp Appeal Express Salon and Spa. Whether you want a manicure, a massage or an entirely new look, the Salon offers a wide range of services to cater to all your needs and is open from 5am to 7pm, seven days a week.

Get to know the airport

If you know you are going to have time on your hands, why not book yourself onto one of the three tours available at DAY Airport? They last around 90 minutes and you can choose between the experience, fire station or bomb dog tours. They take place in groups of between 12 and 15 and include a welcome gift.

Get a caffeine fix

If you need your early-morning coffee, head to one of the branches of the local coffee chain, Boston Stoker, in DAY. The snack bar is located in front of security and the coffee bar behind security; both open seven days a week at 4:30am. Enjoy a fresh roasted coffee and a super-stuffed pretzel before you step onto the plane.

Grab a bite to eat

Visit Max and Erma’s, located in the main terminal directly across from the security checkpoint, to enjoy a gourmet hamburger restaurant that will provide you with all-American food before your flight. Open from 5am, why not treat yourself to one of their famous breakfasts to give you a kick-start to your day.

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Top things to do near Dayton Airport

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park

This historical memorial park pays homage to arguably the three most famous men of Ohio and close friends: Paul Laurence Dunbar, the African American writer and the two Wright brothers, who made a huge impact on the aviation world. The historic park contains a visitors’ center, a museum and a number of memorials. At just 15 minutes’ drive from DAY, you shouldn’t miss this insight into Ohio’s history.

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Looking for somewhere to take your little ones? The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is Dayton’s children's museum. Designed to teach children about science and technology, it boasts a zoo, an aquarium, a planetarium and an observatory. Take an interactive solar system tour, see an Egyptian mummy or visit the tidal pool with live creatures inside, all at less than a 15-minute drive from Dayton Airport.

National Museum of the US Air Force

At just over 15 miles (24.1 kilometers) from Dayton Airport, you can visit the largest and oldest military museum in the world. For those interested in aviation, the official museum of the US Air Force is a must. It has a collection of almost 400 vehicles and missiles on display and memorabilia and artefacts covering the history of aviation; you can even take a tour of the facility to see restoration projects in progress.

Dayton Art Institute

This beautiful Italian Renaissance-style listed building is home to what was previously known as the Museum of Fine Arts. It currently houses over 20,000 pieces both inside and outside in fixed and traveling exhibitions. Before taking the 12-mile (19.3-kilometer) trip, have a look at which short-term traveling exhibits are on show during your visit by clicking here.

SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park

This open-air museum, just a 20-minute drive from DAY Airport, is based on the former residential site of almost 250 Native Americans. The three-acre (1.2-hectare) archaeological site has been transformed to provide an insight into the way of life in the 800-year-old American Indian Village. With age-appropriate guided tours, it’s a guaranteed entertaining day out for all the family.

America's Packard Museum

For classic car-lovers, the Packard Museum is an essential day trip in Dayton. At just 15 minutes’ drive from Dayton Airport, you can have a look at over 50 vehicles made by the Packard Motor Car Company, read about the history of the company and see a whole host of Packard-related memorabilia. The trip is worth it if only to see the beautiful 1917 Art Deco building, which is home to the museum.

Carillon Historical Park

If you are looking for a green space to relax in Dayton, you can find yourself in the Carillon Historical Park just 15 miles (24.1 kilometers) from DAY. This 65-acre (26.3-hectare) park is not just any old park; it contains a number of varied educational centers, from the Wright Brothers’ Aviation Center to the oldest building in Dayton. It is also home to the center for invention and industry, where you can read up on locally developed creations.

Oregon Historical District

Step back in time by visiting the Oregon Historical District. Dating from the 1820s to the 1910s, the 12-block area is not only a breathtaking example of Victorian architecture, but is also home to art galleries, shops, cafés and bars. If you have the chance, try visiting in the evening to take advantage of the fine dining and vibrant night life it offers. At only 13 miles (20.9 kilometers) from Dayton Airport, you can be there in just over 15 minutes.

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Which terminal?

Dayton International Airport has one passenger terminal with two concourses: Concourse A and Concourse B. The airport is easy to navigate, with the main terminal in the middle and the two concourses flanking it on either side. There are flight monitors in each area of the building, so it is easy to locate your departure gate.

The airlines currently offering public flights to and from Dayton Airport can be found on the Dayton Airport website.

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How to get to Dayton Airport

Car

Dayton International Airport is located in Ohio in the Midwest of the USA and you can navigate there using the ZIP code OH 45377. If you are traveling from the north (Toledo) or the south (Cincinnati and Downtown Dayton), you need to take the I-75 to the I-70 West and leave at exit 32, which takes you to the airport. From the east (Columbus) or the west (Indianapolis), you need to take I-70 and again take exit 32 to head straight to the airport.

Bus

From Downtown Dayton, you can take Route 43 to Dayton Airport. The journey takes around 30 minutes and buses run frequently during the day.

Shared-ride and private hires

Many hotels in the area offer a free shuttle to and from the airport, so if you are staying in Dayton, it is worth checking with your hotel provider to see if they offer the service. There are also private shuttle services that offer exclusive or shared-rides from various locations within Dayton to the airport.

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Useful tips

Speedy drop-offs and pick-ups

As you are not allowed to wait or park in front of the Terminal Building, those needing to pick up or drop off passengers should make the most of the free cell phone lot or the 30 minutes of free parking in the Parking Garage. If your passenger is already waiting, park in the Parking Garage while you go to meet them. Alternatively, if you have to wait for a flight to arrive, keep up-to-date using the flight monitoring screens in the cell phone lot.

Arrive two hours before your flight

Dayton Airport recommends arriving at the airport two hours before your scheduled flight departure time. Although many passengers have stated that it is a breeze to pass through security at DAY and you can arrive later, you must bear in mind that this is often not the case during busy periods.

Take an empty bottle

It is worth taking an empty bottle with you through security as there are water refilling stations airside located near the restrooms in both the concourses. That way, you can save some money on bottled water and spend it on some pre-flight treats instead.

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Dayton Airport FAQs

Can you smoke at Dayton Airport?

Dayton International Airport is a non-smoking airport and it is, therefore, not possible to smoke within the Terminal Building. There are designated smoking areas outside the airport, which means that passengers wishing to smoke and taking a connecting flight must leave DAY and then pass back through security.

Does DAY have TSA PreCheck?

Since 2014, TSA PreCheck has been available at Dayton International Airport. The facility allows travelers to take advantage of expedited security screening to ensure speedy passage through to airside. To take part in the TSA PreCheck process, you have to submit an application online and schedule an appointment at an enrollment center.

Does Dayton Airport have free WiFi?

There is free WiFi available throughout the Terminal Building for all passengers traveling through DAY. To get connected, select the ‘Public’ wireless network, ensure that all encryption is turned off and open your web browser, at which point you will be free to surf for as long as you like.

Does Dayton International have a cell phone lot?

At Dayton Airport, the cell phone lot is located on entry to the airport off Terminal Drive and you can navigate there using the ZIP code . The lot has free WiFi and flight monitoring screens, so you can track your passenger’s progress, but vehicles must be attended at all times. An alternative, if your passenger is already waiting for you is to take advantage of the free 30 minutes of parking available in the Parking Garage.

What time does Dayton Airport open?

DAY is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but this does not mean that all the services and amenities inside the airport are also available. Food and drink options all open from between 4:30am and 5am and close around 7:30pm, after the last departing flight, as do most of the shopping options.

How far is DAY from Cincinnati?

Cincinnati is around 66 miles (106.2 kilometers) from Dayton Airport, so many people use DAY as an alternative to their local Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. It takes just over an hour by car to travel to Cincinnati from the airport and there are three options to take the trip: car rental, taxi or Charter Vans.

What exit do you take for Dayton Airport?

DAY is located off I-70, exit 32 and you can navigate there using the ZIP code

Where is DAY Airport?

Dayton Airport is located 13 miles (20.9 kilometers) north of Downtown Dayton in Montgomery County, in the south west of Ohio. The state of Ohio itself is located in the Midwest of the USA in the Great Lakes Region. DAY benefits from being located near the “Crossroads of the America” - the I-70 and the I-75 - which means it is conveniently connected to many major cities in the USA.

Who owns Dayton International Airport?

Dayton Airport is a public airport owned by the City of Dayton. All but one airport in the USA are owned by a government entity, whether that be the federal government, a city or a regional airport authority.

Does Dayton Airport have a USO?

The USO Lounge at DAY Airport is located in the ticketing lobby and available to all military personnel and their families. It is open from 8am until 8pm every day and provides snacks, a lounge area and a television room so that the men and women in uniform can rest before they board their flights.