Sleeping inside or in nearby hotels at TYS Airport

  Overnight layover guide: sleeping options in the public area and the boarding area

Overnight Stays & Operating Hours

McGhee Tyson Airport terminal is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, the TSA security checkpoints close nightly after the last departure and reopen roughly two hours before the day's first flight. As a result, travelers remaining overnight must stay on the public landside portion of the terminal until checkpoints reopen in the morning.

Resting Areas

Landside public areas feature armrest-free padded benches and regional wooden rocking chairs facing large tarmac windows. Some travelers also rest on carpeted floor areas under staircases in the lower-level baggage claim hall. Private sleeping cabins or transit pods are not available; travelers desiring a bed can utilize the adjacent Hilton hotel connected via skybridge.

Overnight Services

Terminal dining venues and shops typically shut down between 7:00 PM and 4:30 AM, making it advisable to purchase food and beverages beforehand. Restrooms, ATMs, and free Wi-Fi remain active throughout the night under continuous airport police patrol.

 Hotels

On-site Airport Accommodation

Hilton Knoxville Airport: Located on airport grounds and directly connected to the passenger terminal via an enclosed, climate-controlled skybridge. It features an on-site restaurant, meeting facilities, and courtesy shuttle service.

Nearby Hotels with Airport Shuttles

Several lodging properties in Alcoa and Knoxville provide free airport transfer service for their guests:

• Best Western Knoxville Airport / Alcoa
• Fairfield Inn & Suites Alcoa
• Hampton Inn Knoxville Airport
• La Quinta Inn & Suites Knoxville Airport
• Tru by Hilton Alcoa Knox Airport
• Comfort Suites Airport
• The Tennessean Hotel (Downtown Knoxville)