Whether you are facing a tight connection, an extended layover or a full-on sleepover, the Travel Code Knoxville Airport Guide is the place to start planning. Inside you will find practical details on facilities, airport hotels, Wi-Fi, charging points, lounges, food, ground transport and dozens of extras that make time in the terminal a little easier.
TYS Airport Overview
What to expect
McGhee Tyson Airport (IATA: TYS) is compact, friendly and arranged over two levels. A handful of regional and legacy carriers feed the concourses and you will find a modest collection of eateries, cafés and convenience stores. Do note that every concession closes between 19:00 and 04:30. Free Wi-Fi keeps you online and multiple charging pillars save your battery. At the time of writing no pay-per-use lounges operate on site, but the rocking-chair seating by the panoramic glass façade is a beloved substitute.
Sleeping in Knoxville Airport
When security closes for the night all travellers are ushered back to landside. Those staying must clear security again when it re-opens. Padded, arm-rest-free benches are scattered across baggage claim and ticketing. Carpeted nooks under the main staircases provide semi-private corners if you do not mind floor sleeping. For true shut-eye the Hilton Knoxville Airport is connected to the terminal via a short covered walkway, and half-a-dozen other properties run free shuttles.
For candid passenger experiences see the latest crowd-sourced airport reviews. To contribute your own intel, please update this guide.
Throughout the article we use “landside” to describe the public areas of the terminal (pre-security) and “airside” for the secure zones beyond the checkpoints.
Airport Hours
The terminal remains open 24/7, though individual services keep shorter hours.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
No designated nap rooms or quiet zones exist. Grab the soft-seat rocking chairs airside until 19:00 and the padded benches landside overnight. If policies change, let us know.
Cots
The airport does not supply emergency cots. Should that change click here so we can pass the word.
Airport Hotels
Prefer a mattress to a bench? These hotels sit on or near airport grounds and operate free shuttles unless noted. Check recent rates on your favourite OTAs or directly with the property.
- Hilton Knoxville Airport – physically attached to the terminal by a glass walkway (2 min).
- Courtyard Knoxville Airport Alcoa – 1.3 mi / 5 min shuttle.
- Tru by Hilton Alcoa Knoxville Airport – 1.1 mi / 4 min shuttle.
- Hampton Inn Knoxville Airport – 1.4 mi / 6 min shuttle.
- La Quinta Inn & Suites Knoxville Airport – 1.6 mi / 7 min shuttle.
For an extended list sorted by distance, traveler rating or price, view Tripadvisor hotels near TYS.
Airport Lounges
No pay-in lounges or airline clubs currently operate at TYS. Business flyers using Travel Code’s corporate travel service can access discounted day passes at regional airports in Atlanta, Charlotte and Dallas should your itinerary route through those hubs.
Drinking Water
Filtered bottle-fill stations are posted beside each restroom cluster airside and near baggage claim landside.
Food & Drinks
Concessions keep a 05:00-19:00 schedule. Current line-up:
- Cinnabon
- Express by Uno
- Quiznos Subs
- Ruby Tuesday
- Starbucks (pre- and post-security)
Vending machines remain operational overnight in ticketing and concourse A.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
No lockers or staffed storage counters are available.
Mobile Charging
Look for waist-high charging pylons beside gates 3, 6, 11 and by Ruby Tuesday. Newly renovated seating clusters include 110 V plugs and USB-A/USB-C ports.
Showers
None on site. Day rooms at the Hilton include shower use if you need to freshen up during a long daytime layover.
Wi-Fi / Internet
Complimentary Wi-Fi covers the whole building (network: TYS-Free-WiFi). Speeds average 35 Mbps down / 15 Mbps up. No registration required.
Security & Safety
Staying overnight in any airport carries risk. Adopt these common-sense measures:
- Know the safe spots – security offices sit landside opposite baggage carousel 2 and airside between gates 4-5. CCTV coverage is solid in these zones.
- Stay visible – solo travellers should sleep near other passengers or within sight-lines of cameras.
- Conceal valuables – loop a strap through your arm or padlock your bag to a fixed object.
- Stay semi-alert – caffeine, short catnaps and a rotation with a travel companion help.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do
Art in the Airport
The Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville curates rotating exhibitions of regional painters, photographers and sculptors along concourse A and the rotunda.
ATMs / Cash Machines
ATMs from First Horizon Bank sit landside by ticketing, and from Regions Bank airside beside Ruby Tuesday. International withdrawal fees may apply.
Baby Care Facilities
Two Mamava pods (gates 2 and 8) offer private, lockable nursing space with outlets.
Currency Exchange
No bureau on site; plan to exchange before arrival or withdraw USD at an ATM.
Shopping
The Tennessee Trader convenience shops operate one kiosk landside and one airside (04:30-20:00). Expect snacks, magazines, travel adapters and local souvenirs.
Information Desk
A staffed welcome centre is landside on the lower level near baggage claim from 09:00-17:00.
SIM Cards
Domestic travellers rely on eSIM or existing plans. International visitors can purchase physical SIMs from the Verizon kiosk at West Town Mall (12 mi). If on-airport options appear, please update us.
Airlines Serving Knoxville
As of August 2024 the following carriers serve TYS:
- Allegiant Air
- American Airlines / American Eagle
- Delta Air Lines
- Frontier Airlines
- United Airlines / United Express
Airport Transportation: Getting To / From TYS
Car Rentals
Desks for Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Payless occupy the lower level across from baggage claim. Vehicles are parked immediately outside.
Hotel Shuttles
Most nearby hotels – Candlewood Suites, Courtyard by Marriott, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Hilton and La Quinta – run courtesy vans. Call directly after collecting bags.
Taxi
Metered cabs queue outside door 2. Average fare to downtown Knoxville (14 mi) runs USD 35-40 plus tip.
Ride-Share
Designated pick-up spots are signed outside baggage carousel 1. Uber and Lyft average USD 28-32 to downtown.
Travel Code Planning Tools
Book discounted seats to or from Knoxville through our secure flight booking engine, bundle a room at the Hilton or another partner hotel, or leverage our negotiated fares and perks via the corporate travel service.
Information gathered from the official McGhee Tyson Airport site, TSA press releases, airline timetables and firsthand passenger reports.
This guide is offered for reference only. Facilities, schedules and prices change without notice. Please verify critical details directly with service providers before you travel.
