Picking up or dropping off someone at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) is simple when you know which level to use: departures (upper level) for drop-offs, arrivals (lower level) for pickups. Add in two free cell phone waiting lots and a one-hour free-parking grace period, and you can avoid both circling the terminal and paying for parking.
Where to Drop Off Passengers at CMH
Departures are on the upper level of the terminal. Drive up to the curbside drop-off area right outside the building, where a quick goodbye is permitted while you stay with your vehicle. Your traveler walks straight into the central ticketing area on the same level — no stairs, no shuttles.
A few curbside rules keep traffic moving: don’t leave your car unattended at the curb, and don’t double-park. If you want to walk your traveler inside — to help with bags, or to see a kid or elderly parent to check-in — park in the short-term garage instead ($7 first hour). The covered walkways connect the garage directly to the terminal.
Where to Pick Up Arriving Passengers
Arrivals are on the lower level. After your traveler collects their bags at baggage claim, they’ll exit to the ground transportation area just outside the building. Pull up to the arrivals curb when they’re actually outside with bags in hand — circling the one-way loop on International Gateway while you wait is discouraged, and terminal police keep the curb moving.
If your traveler needs more time (a delayed bag, a slow deplaning), don’t idle at the curb. Head to one of the free cell phone lots below and drive over when they call.
Using the CMH Cell Phone Lots
CMH has two free cell phone waiting lots for drivers waiting on arriving passengers:
- Newest lot — between the air traffic control tower and the terminal, opened in fall 2025. Follow the road signs along International Gateway; the entrance is closer to the terminal and the exit is near the tower.
- Original lot — behind the John Glenn International sign on International Gateway, just as you enter the one-way loop around the terminal.
Both lots are free — park, wait comfortably, and head to the arrivals curb when your traveler is ready. As a backup, the Green shuttle lot (3256 E 17th Ave.) offers a one-hour grace period with no charge if you’re in and out within an hour, which works well if you want to park and walk inside to meet someone at baggage claim.
Taxis and Rideshares at Pickup
If your traveler is taking an Uber or Lyft, pickups happen in the designated ground transportation area — cross over the arrivals drive from outside baggage claim and look for the marked TNC/rideshare zone. For taxis, they’re available on the arrivals level outside baggage claim in the ground transportation area; fares to downtown Columbus run around $29 depending on the destination. The airport’s taxi management team can be reached at 614-239-8294. More options are covered in our CMH transportation guide.
Parking Instead of Waiting at the Curb
Sometimes parking beats the curb: meeting an unaccompanied minor, helping elderly parents with luggage, or greeting someone after a long international trip. Your options:
- Short-term garage (Level 4) — $7 first hour, closest to the terminal via covered walkways. Best for quick in-and-out greets.
- Green Lot — first hour free under the one-hour grace period. Fine if you’re willing to take the shuttle and keep the whole visit under an hour.
Tips for a Smooth Pick-Up
- Track the flight, not the schedule. Check live arrival status before leaving home — landing time and gate arrival can differ by 15–20 minutes, and baggage claim adds more.
- Wait in the cell phone lot, not the curb. It’s free, it’s close, and you avoid a ticket or a forced loop around the terminal.
- Agree on a meeting point in advance. “Outside baggage claim, arrivals curb” beats a vague “I’m at the airport” when your traveler’s phone is dying.
- For drop-offs, stay with your car. Unattended vehicles at the departures curb can be ticketed or towed.
- Know the levels. Drop-off = upper level (departures). Pick-up = lower level (arrivals). Mixing them up costs you a full loop around International Gateway.
Driving yourself and leaving the car? See our CMH parking guide for garage and economy lot rates, and how to get from parking to your gate for the route inside.
Keep planning: CMH arrivals & departures guide · Columbus Airport Guide for every CMH guide in one place
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