Lovell Field
Airport guide 2026

Lovell Field CHA

United States

The single terminal handles domestic flights to major cities in the southeastern United States.

Gateway to Chattanooga, a city in Tennessee on the river of the same name, known for the Aquarium and Lookout Mountain.

Content verified on 06/09/2026
Official source: www.flycha.com

How to get to Lovell Field

Chattanooga city center is some kilometers from the airport: transfer requires a bus change, with a total time of approximately 40-50 minutes.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach downtown Chattanooga in approximately 15-20 minutes, traffic permitting.

By Train

There is no railway station at the airport: Chattanooga has a historic free electric streetcar downtown (Downtown Electric Shuttle), but it does not reach the airport.

By Bus

The CARTA dial-a-ride service line 5 North Brainerd connects the airport to Brainerd Walmart every 30 minutes (6:00-17:30, Monday-Friday, reservation required with at least 30 minutes advance notice at 423.629.1487); from there line 4 Eastgate/Hamilton Place continues to downtown Chattanooga or Hamilton Place Mall. Line 19 Cromwell Road offers additional airport connection. Fare $1.50 USD per ride, unlimited daily pass $6 USD.
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Tips The dial-a-ride service on line 5 requires a telephone reservation at least 30 minutes in advance: it is not a service where you can simply show up at a stop.

Average travel time to CHA

TrainNot available (Downtown Electric Shuttle is free but serves only the center)
Shuttle bus40-50 min (1.50 USD, CARTA dial-a-ride line 5 + line 4, by reservation)
Taxi / Private hire15-20 minutes (20-30 USD)

Parking near Lovell Field

Daily Lot, the most economical option for extended stays, costs $12/day (first 15 minutes free); Short-Term/Hourly costs up to $20/day; covered garage $15/day; valet $25/day plus $1.50 surcharge.

How to get to Chattanooga from CHA

By Train

There is no railway station at the airport; the free Downtown Electric Shuttle serves only the city center.

By Bus

CARTA dial-a-ride line 5 (by reservation) connects to Brainerd Walmart, from which line 4 continues to downtown; fare $1.50, day pass $6.

By Taxi

Uber/Lyft average around $14; a taxi is generally comparable, to downtown, with travel time 10-15 minutes.

Need an airport transfer?

Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com

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Car rental at Lovell Field

The terminal houses counters for every major car rental company.

Bring your driver's license, passport, and credit card; useful for reaching Lookout Mountain and the surrounding area.

 

Hotels near Lovell Field

Chattanooga Airport is just 10-15 minutes from Hamilton Place, the commercial hub along I-75 closest to the terminal, and not much further from the historic downtown on the Tennessee River. Anyone who wants the aquarium, the Walnut Street Bridge, and the museums of the Bluff View Art District is better off staying downtown, 15-20 minutes by car from the gate. Anyone focused on Rock City, Ruby Falls, or the Incline Railway instead finds it more convenient to stay at the foot of Lookout Mountain, even though it means getting farther from the airport than the other two areas.
Airport area

Hamilton Place

10-15 minutes by car from the terminal along I-75, with a free airport shuttle at both properties; downtown is another 15 minutes.

Best for: Anyone with a dawn flight or a short stopover who wants the commercial area closest to the terminal.

Pros
  • Free airport shuttle included at both properties
  • Hamilton Place mall and over 100 restaurants just minutes away
Cons
  • An area of highway interchanges and shopping centers, with little to do on foot in the evening
  • Farther from the riverfront and the downtown museums
See more hotels in this area
City centre

Downtown and the riverfront

15-20 minutes by car or taxi from the airport; there's no direct bus, so you'll need a taxi or rideshare.

Nearby town

Lookout Mountain

25-30 minutes by car or taxi from the airport (about 24 km); there's no direct bus, so you'll need a car or taxi.

Best for: Anyone visiting Rock City, Ruby Falls, or the Incline Railway who prefers to stay at the foot of the mountain.

Pros
  • A few minutes from Rock City, Ruby Falls, and the Incline Railway
  • Less touristy and more affordable than the two downtown areas
Cons
  • The farthest from the airport among the areas in this guide
  • You need a car to get around, with few independent restaurants nearby
See more hotels in this area
 

Airport services

The airport serves Chattanooga with domestic connections.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area features Tennessee regional products and luxury items.

Lounges & relaxation

Various lounges are available for business-class passengers.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

The entire terminal is served by free Wi-Fi and has solid coverage from major U.S. telephone operators.

Families & Children

Play areas for young children are replicated in each terminal, along with family assistance services.

Terminal guide

The airport has a single terminal reserved for domestic connections.

Best not to risk it: 2-2.5 hours advance time for flights is the safest choice.

Map of Lovell Field

Map of Lovell Field

Frequently asked questions

Q. How does the bus to Chattanooga Airport work?

Line 5 North Brainerd is a dial-a-ride service by reservation (at least 30 minutes in advance), which takes you to the Brainerd Walmart to transfer to line 4 toward downtown.

Q. Is there a free streetcar in Chattanooga?

Yes, the Downtown Electric Shuttle is free, but it only serves downtown and doesn't reach the airport.

Q. Is Chattanooga Airport close to Lookout Mountain?

Yes, the famous scenic mountain is reachable by car in a short time.

Q. How much does a CARTA day pass cost?

2 USD for a 24-hour unlimited-ride pass (corrected from a previous estimate of 6 USD), compared to 1.50 USD for a single ride; 7-day (15 USD) and 31-day (50 USD) passes are also available.

Flight board

Real-time status of arriving and departing flights

Nearby Airports

Things to do in Chattanooga

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