Skip to content
EN| ES
+1 786 943 8732
Airport Transportation

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

Also known as: Louisville Airport, Louisville International Airport, SDF Airport. Formerly Standiford Field.

SDF · KSDF · Louisville

Airport facts

Name
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
IATA code
SDF
ICAO code
KSDF
City
Louisville
Country
United States of America
Coordinates
38.1706, -85.7351
Time zone
America/Kentucky/Louisville

About Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is the main airport for Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States, and for southern Indiana across the Ohio River. It sits about 7 miles south of downtown Louisville. It was called Louisville International Airport, and before that Standiford Field, until it was renamed for Muhammad Ali in 2019.

Southwest flies the most routes, and American, Delta and United connect Louisville with their hubs. Allegiant and Breeze add direct flights to Florida and other leisure destinations. There are no scheduled international passenger flights. The airport is best known for cargo: UPS runs its global Worldport hub here.

All passenger flights use the Jerry E. Abramson Terminal, which has two floors and 24 gates on two concourses joined by a central rotunda, with one security checkpoint for both.

From the airport, most travelers head into downtown Louisville and the Kentucky Exposition Center, out to Churchill Downs, or further afield to Lexington, Bardstown and the Bourbon Trail distilleries.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

Louisville Regional Airport Authority

Runways

Three: two parallel runways (17R/35L and 17L/35R) and runway 11/29

Passengers per year

About 4.6 million in 2025

Cargo

UPS Worldport, the global air hub of UPS Airlines

Gates

24, in the Jerry E. Abramson Terminal

Arrival tips for Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

SDF has no scheduled international passenger flights, so every arrival comes straight from the gate into the terminal without customs. From either concourse, follow the signs back to the central rotunda and down to baggage claim.

The terminal is small, so the walk from your gate to the curb is short. Once you have your bags, follow the ground transportation signs outside. Taxis, rideshare, hotel shuttles and pre-booked cars each have signposted pickup areas, and the rental car counters are close to baggage claim.

TARC public buses link the airport with downtown Louisville, but they are slower than a car, especially with luggage.

Louisville is on Eastern Time and changes its clocks for daylight saving. During the Kentucky Derby in early May, the airport, hotels and roads are at their busiest, so book your ride well ahead.

Ground transportation

Most travelers use a taxi, rideshare or pre-booked car, as the airport is close to downtown and buses are slower.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked car meets you outside the terminal, useful for Derby week, groups and trips to Lexington, Bardstown or the distilleries.

  • Taxi from Louisville airport

    Taxis wait at the signposted rank outside the terminal. Downtown is a short ride, so the fare stays modest.

  • Rideshare

    Rideshare apps pick up at the signposted zone outside the terminal. Fares rise during Derby week and big events.

  • TARC bus

    Public buses connect the airport with downtown Louisville. The cheapest option, but slow with luggage.

Compare providers for your exact address

Enter your hotel to see the price and every provider serving it.

Book a transfer from SDF

Terminals

Jerry E. Abramson Terminal

The single passenger terminal: two floors and 24 gates on two concourses, joined by a rotunda, with one shared security checkpoint.

Airlines and destinations

Allegiant Air

Fort Lauderdale, Orlando/Sanford, St. Petersburg/Clearwater, and more

Airline guide

American Airlines

Boston, Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Philadelphia, Washington–National

Airline guide

Breeze Airways

Charleston (SC), Fort Myers, New Orleans, Raleigh/Durham, San Francisco

Airline guide

Delta Air Lines

Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York–LaGuardia

Airline guide

Southwest Airlines

Baltimore, Chicago–Midway, Dallas–Love Field, Denver, Houston–Hobby, Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix, Tampa

Airline guide

United Airlines

Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, Washington–Dulles

Airline guide

Frequently asked questions

How far is Louisville airport from downtown?

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is about 7 miles south of downtown Louisville. The drive is short, and taxis, rideshare and pre-booked cars wait outside the terminal; TARC public buses also run to downtown.

Why is Louisville airport named after Muhammad Ali?

The airport was renamed Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in 2019 to honor the boxer, who was born in Louisville. It was previously called Louisville International Airport, and before that Standiford Field, which is why its code is SDF.

Does Louisville airport have international flights?

No. SDF has no regularly scheduled international passenger flights; travelers to other countries connect through hubs such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago or Dallas. The airport is a port of entry and handles many international cargo flights for UPS.

What is UPS Worldport?

UPS Worldport is the global air hub of UPS Airlines, at Louisville airport. UPS has had a hub here since 1980, and the facility covers about 5.2 million square feet, handling up to 416,000 packages an hour. UPS employs more than 20,000 people in Louisville.

How many terminals does Louisville airport have?

SDF has one passenger terminal, the Jerry E. Abramson Terminal. It has two floors and 24 gates on two concourses, joined by a central rotunda, with a single security checkpoint for both concourses.

Which airlines fly from Louisville airport?

Southwest flies the most routes from SDF. American, Delta and United connect Louisville with their hubs, and Allegiant and Breeze offer direct flights to Florida and other leisure destinations.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

Book a transfer from SDF