El Paso airport (ELP)

El Paso International Airport (IATA code: ELP), opened on September 8, 1928, is the primary gateway to Western Texas, serving El Paso County, southern New Mexico, and northern Chihuahua, Mexico. It provides non-stop flights and convenient connections to key airline hubs across the United States.

Official Website: elpasointernationalairport.com

Telephone: +1 915 212 0330

Social Media:

Terminals

The airport features a single main terminal building organized across two levels connected by stairs, escalators, and elevators:

• Lower Level: ticketing counters, check-in, baggage claim, airport administrative offices, and access to the covered walkway connecting to the Rental Car Center and ground transportation.
• Upper Level: central TSA passenger security checkpoint and access to two departure concourses: Concourse A (gates A1 to A4) and Concourse B (gates B1 to B11), joined post-security through a central concession corridor.

The passenger terminal building does not operate 24 hours continuously: it closes after the final scheduled flight departure (around 00:30 - 01:00) and reopens at 3:00 a.m. for early morning flights.

Annual passenger traffic (2025): 3.8 million passengers.

Information Desks

An official visitor information and gift center (Visit El Paso shop and desk) is located on the lower level central lobby, providing travelers with assistance and tourism guidance.

 Location

The airport is located 6 km (4 miles) northeast of downtown El Paso, directly accessible via Interstate 10 and Airway Blvd.

What services does El Paso airport (ELP) offer?

The terminal features an array of passenger amenities designed to ensure smooth travel before and after flights.

Financial Services and Connectivity

• Wi-Fi: free high-speed wireless internet provided by Digital El Paso across all public areas and gate concourses.
• ATMs: located on both the lower and upper terminal levels.
• Cash-to-Card Kiosks: self-service machines converting cash into prepaid debit cards for cashless concessions.
• Charging Stations: built-in electrical outlets and USB ports situated at gate seating benches and work stations.

Food and Drinks

Dining options include sit-down restaurants, fast food, and coffee shops:

• Pre-security: Carlos & Mickey's Mexican Restaurant and Border Bar & Bites in the public lobby.
• Post-security concourses: Starbucks (in Concourse A and Concourse B), The Standard Star Kitchen & Bar, Home Team Sports, PGA Tour Grill, Schlotzsky’s / Cinnabon, Tia's Mexican, Slice Pizza, Chiquis Coffee Cart, and 19th Hole.

Shopping

Newsstands, travel accessories, apparel, and souvenirs located on both levels, including Plaza News (Welcome to 915), El Paso Marketplace, iStore, Heritage Booksellers News and Gifts, automated CNBC kiosks, and CVS vending machines. The airport does not have duty-free shops.

Baggage Services

• Luggage Carts: available in the baggage claim area and main entrances.
• Luggage Storage: left luggage and locker facilities are not available due to TSA federal security regulations.
• Lost and Found: handled by the Airport Police Department on the first floor near arrivals (phone +1 915 212 0330). For items left on planes or checked baggage, passengers should contact their airline.

Other Services

• Shoeshine service at La Placita and Concourse B.
• Quiet meditation space (The Beacon Room).
• Public art installations and cultural exhibits throughout the terminal.
• Military Assistance Desk on the lower level (the USO lounge is permanently closed).

Public and private transportation

The airport is located approximately 6 km (4 miles) northeast of downtown El Paso, with typical driving times between 15 and 25 minutes depending on traffic.

Public Buses (Sun Metro)

Sun Metro public transit offers economical transit services (approximate fare USD 1.50) directly from the airport terminal:

• Brio Montana Corridor: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line calling at the on-site Brio Station adjacent to the Rental Car Center, offering direct and fast connections to downtown El Paso.
• Route 33: local bus service linking the terminal to the Five Points Transit Center, stopping at Bassett Place and Loretto Academy.

More information on Sun Metro schedules and routes

Taxis

Official taxi stands are located outside the baggage claim area on the ground level. Travel time to downtown El Paso is approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Companies serving the terminal include Border Cab, Checker Taxi Cab, Sun City Cab, United Independent Cab, and Yellow Cab Taxi.

Ridesharing (TNC)

Uber and Lyft operate from designated curbside pickup zones located outside the ground transportation area on the lower level.

Private and Regional Shuttles

Private shuttle companies provide scheduled and on-demand transfers across Texas, New Mexico, and Ciudad Juárez (Mexico): Alamo Shuttle, American Shuttle, Amigo Shuttle, Chuma's Tours, Juarez / El Paso Shuttle, Las Cruces Shuttle, Paisanos Transportation, and Silver Stage Lines.

Car rental agencies

ELP Rental Car Center

All rental car operations are consolidated within the dedicated ELP Rental Car Center, directly linked to the lower level of the passenger terminal via a covered pedestrian walkway.

The facility hosts the following companies:

• Alamo
• Avis
• Budget
• Dollar
• Enterprise
• Hertz
• National
• Payless
• Thrifty
• Turo

Both vehicle pick-up and drop-off take place within the garage facility adjacent to the counters.

Parking services at El Paso airport (ELP)

The airport operates a ticketless parking system using license plate recognition and QR mobile payments.

Official parking rates and reservations

Parking Facilities

• Short Term: located immediately across from the terminal building. The first 10 minutes are free; thereafter, USD 1.00 per hour up to a daily maximum of USD 17.00.
• Long Term: spacious lot for extended stays with a flat rate of USD 9.00 per 24 hours (maximum stay 60 consecutive days). Includes complimentary 24/7 terminal shuttle service.
• Premium Reserved Parking: guaranteed stalls booked online via the airport's website for USD 20.00 per day.
• West Lot: secondary parking lot with mobile QR payment at USD 10.00 per day (subject to periodic project closures).

Important Information

• Cell Phone Waiting Lot: free staging lot for motorists waiting for arriving passengers to collect their bags before approaching the terminal curb.
• Transaction Fees: transactions under 10 minutes incur no fee; 11 minutes to 3 hours incur a USD 0.99 administrative fee, and stays exceeding 3 hours incur USD 1.99.
• Parking Office: phone +1 915 771 7990.

Facilities for passengers with special needs

Special Assistance Requests

Passengers requiring wheelchair service or assistance boarding and deplaning should notify their airline at least 48 hours prior to departure. The airport also provides electric courtesy carts to assist travelers with reduced mobility between the concourses and ticketing areas.

Infrastructure and Accessibility

The facility features access ramps, automated doors, elevators with braille signage, ADA-compliant restrooms, companion-care family facilities on both floors, and reserved accessible parking spaces adjacent to terminal entries.

Hidden Disabilities and Sensory Support

• Hidden Disabilities Sunflower: the airport participates in the Sunflower program. Travelers may request a lanyard by contacting [email protected] to indicate they may need extra time or assistance.
• Aira Airport Network: free on-demand visual interpretation services for blind and low-vision travelers via the Aira smartphone application on airport property.

Lactation Suites

Private nursing suites equipped with comfortable seating, power outlets, and sinks are available on both the lower level and the upper gate concourse.

Service Animal Relief Area

An outdoor pet and service animal relief area is situated on the east side of the short-term parking lot, directly opposite the ticketing doors.