Transfer to/from - St. Louis airport (STL)

 
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Public transportation services, licensed taxis and rideshare, private transfer companies and car rental services in St. Louis airport (STL)

 

 Transportation

 

St. Louis Lambert International Airport is conveniently connected to the city center and the broader metropolitan area via light rail, authorized taxis, and ride-hailing applications.

Light Rail (MetroLink)

The MetroLink Red Line provides direct transit from both terminals to Downtown St. Louis, Union Station, Forest Park, and southwestern Illinois destinations. The Terminal 1 station is located on the upper ticketing level (outside Door 1), while the Terminal 2 station is reached via a covered walkway across the parking garage (outside Door 12).

Trains run every 10 to 20 minutes daily (roughly between 4:56 am and 0:56 am). Travel time to downtown is approximately 30 to 35 minutes, with a one-way fare of USD 2.50.

Taxis

Official metered taxis are available around the clock at designated ranks:

  • Terminal 1: Outside Door 14, toward the yellow garage level.
  • Terminal 2: Across from Door 12 in the terminal garage.

Travel time to downtown St. Louis is 15 to 20 minutes. Metered fares average USD 30.00 to 45.00, plus an official USD 4.00 airport pickup surcharge.

Ride-Sharing (Uber & Lyft)

Both Uber and Lyft operate at designated curbside pick-up zones:

  • Terminal 1: Door 6 on the departures/ticketing level.
  • Terminal 2: Door 12 on the arrivals level.

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Buses

Greyhound provides intercity bus services to destinations nationwide. The terminal bus stop is located south of Terminal 1, reachable via the free inter-terminal shuttle or through the pedestrian tunnel on the yellow garage level (Exit 16). Additionally, local MetroBus routes connect the airport area with regional transit centers.

Regional Vans and Shuttles

Several pre-arranged shared and private shuttle companies serve St. Louis and broader regional points in Missouri and Illinois, such as MO-X (providing frequent service to Columbia and the University of Missouri), Best Transportation, Excel Transportation, Jed Limousine, STL Shuttle Service, Premium Transportation, and XL Transportation.

More official transportation information

 
 

Latest updates: September 30, 2026

Transportation Tips to/from the airport

Some of these tips may seem obvious, but they are worth keeping in mind when traveling to or from the airport, especially if you are using public transportation.
 
 1 - To the airport: leave a little earlier than usually recommended. If you take a taxi or a private car service, allow for rush hour traffic, demonstrations, strikes or events that could delay your trip. It always helps to check the local news before you leave.
 
If you book a shared shuttle, keep the company's contact number handy in case the pickup is late. These services usually confirm a scheduled pickup time in advance.
 
If you use public transportation (bus or train), check the schedules (weekends and holidays usually have less frequent service), whether you need to transfer, and how to pay the fare (a transit card, or cash to the driver). These details seem obvious, but knowing them ahead of time can save you from a delay that could cause problems.
 
If you drive a rental car to the airport, check where to return it. Many airports have a dedicated rental car return area.
 
 2 - From the airport: this part is less stressful, since there is no risk of missing a flight. At worst, you will reach your hotel or meeting point a little later than planned.
 
Once you leave the plane, collect your baggage and complete any required arrival procedures. Then follow the signs for ground transportation or ask airport staff.
 
Check bus and train schedules in advance if you arrive late at night, since not all services run 24 hours. The same applies to taxis. If you plan to use a ride-hailing app such as Uber, have it ready on your phone to contact the driver.
 
If you booked a private transfer, a driver will usually be waiting for you with a sign. If you are renting a car, booking in advance gives you more peace of mind. Rental counters are usually located in the arrivals hall.

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