Salt Lake City International Airport
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC IATA) is located in the western side of Salt Lake City just off of I-80. It is one of the most important airports in the southwestern United States and is a good starting point for tours of some of the area's National Parks, including Yellowstone National Park. (If you are primarily interested in visiting Bryce Canyon National Park and / or Zion National Park, the Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport is closer.)
Understand
SLC International is by far the largest, but not the only commercial airport in the state of Utah. Other airports served by commercial flights are near Moab, St. George, Provo, and Ogden. The airport is located just 10 minutes by car from Downtown Salt Lake City. The current airport terminal and surrounding infrastructure recently underwent a complete overhaul; the current terminal with two concourses (A and B) opened in 2020, at which time the old terminal was decommissioned and torn down. Construction is ongoing to expand the concourses; this is not generally a disturbance to travelers.
Flights
Salt Lake City International Airport is one of the major Western hubs for Delta Airlines. This means that there are many direct domestic connections as well as flights to and from Canada and Mexico. The only intercontinental direct flights at Salt Lake City International Airport are from Europe with London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Amsterdam Schiphol airports. There aren't direct flights with Asia, Oceania, South America and Africa.
Ground transportation
By car
The airport is accessible from I-80 at exit 115 B or from I-215 at exits 22 and 22 B. The airport can also be accessed from North Temple street and Utah State Route 154 (Bangerter Highway) both of which terminate and merge into the airport's Terminal Drive.
Rental cars
At the airport
- Alamo, toll-free: +1 844-942-0335. 7AM-Midnight.
- Avis, ☏ +1 801-258-5237.
- Budget, ☏ +1 801-736-0890.
- Dollar, toll-free: +1 800-800-5252. 7AM-11PM.
- Enterprise, toll-free: +1 844-942-0337. 7AM-Midnight.
- Hertz, toll-free: +1 800-654-4173. 7AM-11PM.
- National, toll-free: +1 844-942-0336. 7AM-Midnight.
- Payless, ☏ +1 801-258-5239.
- Thrifty, toll-free: +1 800-334-1705. 7AM-11PM.
Nearby the airport
- ACE, ☏ +1 801 977-9111.
- Affordable, ☏ +1 801 288-2277.
- Fox, toll-free: +1 855 849-4209.
- Go, toll-free: +1 800 464-8267.
- NU Car Rentals, ☏ +1 801 359-4269.
- Rugged, ☏ +1 801 977-9111.
Car service and limousines
- Alta Shuttle, toll-free: +1 866 274-0225.
- Salt Lake Express Shuttle, toll-free: +1 877 671-0095.
- Yellow Cab, ☏ +1 801 521-2100.
By Light Rail
At the southern end of the airport terminal is the TRAX airport station, from where you can take the light rail (TRAX Green Line 704) every 15-20 minutes to downtown Salt Lake City and from there continue to West Valley City. The ride costs $2.50 and allows transfer to the other TRAX lines as well as local buses. TRAX Green Line connects to the FrontRunner commuter rail line at North Temple station, with connection to Ogden and Provo (not on Sundays; FrontRunner requires a separate ticket).
Get around
The airport has a new (2020) terminal with two concourses, A and B, which are parallel to each other. They are connected by a single pedestrian tunnel. Another tunnel is planned to open in 2024, shortening the 10+ minute walks to get from security, which is at the A concourse, to gates on the far end of the B concourse. Both concourses are still being expanded.
If you are flying in, you will exit the terminal at level 2. The bag claim area is on this level, as is a nice waiting lounge for those picking up travelers. All ground transportation out of the airport, except for rental car pickups, is down on level 1.
If you're on your way back out of town and got to the airport by TRAX, ride-share, taxi or someone dropping you off, you will be at the ground level and you will most likely want to make your way up to level 3 to drop off your bags if you have any, and make your way through security. There are separate lines for TSA Precheck and Clear customers.
Since the terminal and the surrounding road infrastructure are new, there is still a lot of outdated information out there. The official airport website will have up to date maps, information about parking, etcetera.
Wait
Most, if not all, seats in gate areas have access to 110v North-American style power outlets.
Water bottle filling stations can be found at each restroom entrance. All restrooms have Most restroom areas have a mother's / lactation room.
Each concourse has a pet relief station; an additional pet relief station is located outside the terminal building.
While you wait, enjoy the mountain and valley views at either end of both concourses as well as from the expansive Terminal Plaza.
- Delta Sky Club (Concourse A, Level 2 east of the new Airport Plaza). Daily: 4:45AM-12:30AM.
Eat and drink
- Beans & Brews (Concourse A), toll-free: +1 801-725-5722. Daily 4AM-11PM.
- Beecher's Handmade Cheese (Concourse A), ☏ +1 888-310-05837. Daily 6AM-9PM.
- Blue Lemon (Terminal Pre-Security), ☏ +1 888-310-0583. Daily 7AM-9PM.
- Bruges Belgian Bistro (Concourse A), ☏ +1 801-558-8579. Daily 6ː30AM-10PM.
- Cafe Rio (Concourse A), toll-free: +1 800-223-3746. Daily 6AM-10PM.
- California Pizza Kitchen (Concourse A), ☏ +1 385-246-5629. 7AM-10PM.
- Fillings & Emulsions (Terminal Plaza Food Court), ☏ +1 888-310-0583. Daily 6AM-9PM.
- Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh (Concourse A), ☏ +1 347-345-6606. Daily 6AM-10PM.
- Gourmandise: Euro Diner and Bakery (Concourse B), ☏ +1 801-359-4382. Daily 4AM-midnight.
- Granato's Gourmet Market (Terminal Plaza), ☏ +1 801-363-0662. Daily 4ː30AM-11ː30PM.
- Jamba (Concourse A), ☏ +1 801-638-1808. Daily 6AM-10PM.
- Market Street Grill (Terminal Plaza), ☏ +1 801 231-0741. Daily 7AM-10PM.
- Panda Express (Terminal Plaza Food Court), ☏ +1 888-310-0583. 9AM-10PM.
- Panera Bread (Concourse A), ☏ +1 801-657-5070. Daily 24 hr.
- Pick Up Stix (Concourse B), ☏ +1 801-707-3609. Daily 7AM-10PM.
- Pizzeria Limone (Terminal Plaza Food Court), ☏ +1 801 359-4082. M-F 7AM-10PM.
- Roasters Brewing Co. (Roasters) (Terminal Plaza), ☏ +1 888-310-0583. M-F 7AM-11PM.
- Shake Shack (Terminal Plaza Food Court), ☏ +1 801-558-8347. 6ː30AM-10PM.
- Smashburger (Concourse B), ☏ +1 801-712-8299. Daily 7AM-10PM.
- Squatters Pub Brewery (Concourse A), ☏ +1 385-229-4002. Daily 6ː30AM-midnight.
- Starbucks (3 locations).
- Starbucks 1 (Terminal Ground Level), ☏ +1 801-209-2983. Daily 6AM-10PM.
- Starbucks 2 (Terminal Plaza), ☏ +1 801-759-5120. Daily 24 hr.
- Starbucks 3 (Concourse A), ☏ +1 801-696-5838. Daily 4AM-10PM.
- Uinta Brewing Company (Concourse B), ☏ +1 888-310-0583. Daily 6AM-11PM.
- Wasatch Brew Pub (Concourse B), ☏ +1 801-883-9033. Daily 7AM-10ː30PM.
- White Horse Spirits and Kitchen (Concourse A), ☏ +1 801-558-8579. Daily 6ː30AM-10PM.
Buy
- ATM (4 locations).
- (Gateway Center).
- (Terminal, Level 1).
- (Concourse A).
- (Concourse B).
- XPresSpa (Concourse A), ☏ +1 801-322-6386. Daily 8AM-10PM. Travel items.
- @ease (Concourse B), ☏ +1 385-528-3667. Daily 6AM-10PM. Clothes and accessories.
- Briggs & Riley (Concourse B), ☏ +1 385-770-6011. Daily 6AM-10PM. Luggage shop.
- Central Pointe Market (Concourse A), ☏ +1 801-388-0374. Daily 5ː30AM-last flight.
- CNBC (Terminal Plaza), ☏ +1 801-783-5596. Daily 4AM-midnight. Books, magazines, newspapers, cosmetics, medicines, snacks and beverages.
- Coach (Concourse A), ☏ +1 385-245-3060. Daily 6AM-10PM. Accessories shop.
- Deseret News (Concourse A), ☏ +1 801-783-5580. Daily 7AM-8PM. Books, magazines, newspapers and travel items.
- Frye (Concourse A), ☏ +1 385-261-9485. Daily 6AM-10PM. Boots, sneakers, sandals, bags and accessories.
- Giftology (Concourse A), ☏ +1 385-202-7627. Daily 6AM-6PM. Miscellaneous items.
- Hip & Humble (2 locations), ☏ +1 801-783-5594. Gift store.
- Hip & Humble 1 (Terminal Plaza). Daily 6AM-10PM.
- Hip & Humble 2 (Concourse B). Daily 5AM-10PM.
- Hudson (Terminal Pre-Security), ☏ +1 801-388-0329. Daily 5ː30AM-10PM. Books, magazines, snacks and beverages, local souvenirs and electronics.
- InMotion (Concourse B), ☏ +1 385-202-7363. Daily 5AM-10PM. Electronics store.
- iStore (Concourse A), ☏ +1 385-228-6198. Daily 5ː30AM-10PM. Apple electronics store.
- Johnston & Murphy (Terminal Plaza), ☏ +1 801-903-1560. Daily 6AM-10PM. Shoes, accessories, apparel and gifts shop.
- KSL News Featuring The King's English Bookshop (Concourse A), ☏ +1 801-783-2826. Daily 6AM-10PM.
- Land Speed Depot by Hudson (Concourse A), ☏ +1 801-388-0518. Daily 4ː30AM-last flight. Miscellaneous items.
- LEGO (Concourse A), ☏ +1 385-528-0198. Daily 6AM-10PM. Toy shop.
- Liberty Park / Hip & Humble (Concourse B), ☏ +1 801-512-0959. Daily 5AM-11PM. Miscellaneous items.
- M.A.C. (Terminal Plaza), ☏ +1 385-270-3161. Daily 7AM-8PM. Makeup shop.
- Maverik (2 locations), ☏ +1 801-512-0960. Travel items, snacks, beverages, books and magazines.
- Maverik 1 (Terminal, Level 1). Daily 8AM-8PM.
- Maverik 2 (Concourse B). Daily 5AM-11PM.
- No Boundaries (Terminal Plaza), ☏ +1 801-783-5595. Daily 8AM-5PM. Outdoor gear, equipment, and apparel.
- Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (Terminal Plaza), ☏ +1 801-363-0338. Daily 5AM-11PM. Chocolate shop.
- Salt Lake City Dufry Shopping (Concourse A), ☏ +1 801-388-0760. Daily 6AM-10PM. Cosmetics and fragrances, fashion accessories and confections, tobacco products, wines and spirits.
- Tech on the Go (Terminal Plaza), ☏ +1 801-719-0407. Daily 8AM-4ː30PM. Electronics store.
- The Salt Lake Tribune (Concourse B), ☏ +1 801-719-1039. Daily 5AM-last flight. Miscellaneous items.
- Trip Advisor Featuring The King's English Bookshop (Terminal Plaza), ☏ +1 801-783-2481. Daily 4ː30AM-11PM. Travel items, books and magazines.
- TUMI (Terminal Plaza), ☏ +1 385-245-3349. Daily 8ː30AM-4ː30PM. Luggage, bags and backpacks shop.
- UNOde50 (Terminal Plaza), ☏ +1 385-395-7823. Daily 6AM-10PM. Jewellery.
- Utahǃ (Concourse B), ☏ +1 801-388-0581. Daily 6AM-10ː30PM. Variety of products, gifts, and gear.
- Visit Salt Lake (Concourse A), ☏ +1 801-783-5599. Lun-Dom 6AM-10PM. Gift shop.
Connect
Free WI-FI connection. Select the network "SLCAirport.wifi" and register.
Cope
Sleep
You will find a large number of 2 and 3 star airport-oriented chain hotels in the business districts east and west of the airport. These hotels generally offer a free shuttle service to the terminal. These hotels seem to cater mostly to airline staff and folks who are stranded. There is no great reason to use these unless you really appreciate an overnight stay in very close proximity to the airport. Since Downtown is only 10 minutes away, it's entirely feasible to stay in a better value hotel in the city, even if you have a late arrival or early departure.
Budget
- 1 Motel 6 Salt Lake City West Airport, 1990 West North Temple St, ☏ +1 801-364-1053. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. The cheapest hotel in the airport chain. It has an outdoor pool, coin laundry, and includes Wi-Fi.
Mid-range
- 2 Comfort Suites Airport, 171 North 2100 West. Hotel with 104 spacious rooms on 4 floors. Last refurbishment in 2007. All units with refrigerator and microwave. Breakfast included in the price (about $ 130). Free airport shuttle.
- 3 Sonesta Simply Suites Salt Lake City Airport, 2170 North Temple, ☏ +1 801 359 7500. There are a few independent off-site restaurants next to this hotel, making it a better choice if you want to grab a quick bite to eat $100 and up.
- 4 Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Airport, 2177 North Temple, ☏ +1 385 341 4904. Across the street from the Sonesta Suites, so this hotel has the same advantage of having local restaurants within walking distance. $90 and up.
- 5 Comfort Inn & Suites Salt Lake City Airport, 202 Jimmy Doolittle Road, ☏ +1 801 783 3165. $100 and up.