Memphis International Airport Guide

Elvis Presley's Graceland is four miles (about a 10-minute cab ride) from the Memphis International Airport.(Photo: Mark Humphrey, AP)

9:07AM EST November 23. 2012 -

Contact information and flight status

• memphisairport.org; 901-922-8000 (staffed weekdays 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m.).
• Terminal maps
• Current departures
• Current arrivals

Checkpoint savvy

Busiest times: 7 a.m. 9 a.m., noon 2 p.m., 5 p.m. 7 p.m.

Checkpoint workarounds: All gates are accessible from any checkpoint.

Parking

Parking information: 901-922-8069 (recorded line).

Most convenient: Short-term parking directly across from the terminals, $21/day; first 30 minutes free. See more options.

Least expensive: Economy parking surface lot, $8/day; first 30 minutes free. Shuttle to terminal.

Cellphone lot located to the right of the airport's entry road in front of the Regency Inn Suites parking lot. No amenities.

Transportation to/from city

Memphis International Airport

Most convenient : A nine-mile taxi ride to downtown Memphis will take about 15 minutes and cost about $30. See more options.

Least expensive: Shared shuttle vans to downtown Memphis, such as TennCo (7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.), $16. See more options.

Wi-Fi and charging stations

Paid Wi-Fi service is available through Boingo.

Power outlets: Outlets may be available in all gate areas.

Go local

Good choice for local gifts: Elvis, Explore Memphis (Terminal B). See all options.

Good choice for local food: Blue Note Caf (smoking allowed; Passenger Connector B-A). Corky's BBQ (Terminals A and C), Memphis City Blues Wine Bar (Terminal B), Interstate Barbecue (Terminal B), Sun Studio Caf (Terminal B), Rhythms Caf Bar (Terminal B). See all options.

Tips and tidbits

Smoking is allowed in the Blue Note Cafe. The airport has a unisex hair salon, a health station, a pet relief area and an art program with permanent and changing artwork and occasional performances by woodwind and string quartets from the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. On Thursdays from 4 p.m. 8 p.m., "Elvis" or another musician performs live at the Sun Studio Cafe. The Blue Note Cafe has live blues music from 5 p.m. 7 p.m., Wednesday through Friday.

Nearby layover option

Elvis Presley's Graceland is four miles (about a 10-minute cab ride) from the airport.

Your tips and picks?

Please share your time- and money-saving tips, favorite restaurants, bars and stores in comments below.

These guides are written by Harriet Baskas, who is the author of six books, including the airport guidebook Stuck at the Airport and a blog of the same name.

Source: http://www.theusalinks.com/2012/11/24/memphis-international-airport-guide/