If you’ve ever wandered around a big airport wondering “what is a concourse, and how is it different from a terminal?” — you’re not alone. In this post we’ll break down the difference between a concourse and a terminal in simple terms. Understanding the difference between a terminal and a concourse can help you navigate airports more confidently, especially during tight connections. Whether you’re trying to figure out which building to park near, where your airline checks in, or how far you’ll need to walk to your gate, knowing what “terminal” and “concourse” really mean can save time and stress. We’ll also look at a few real-world airport examples so you can see how it all fits together before your next trip.

What Is a Terminal?

A terminal is the main building or set of buildings at an airport where most passenger processing happens. It’s where you:

• Check in for your flight
• Drop off checked baggage
• Go through security
• Arrive and pick up baggage
• Find ticket counters, restrooms, information desks, etc.

In short: the terminal is your gateway between ground transportation (car, bus, train) and the “airside” world where flights depart and arrive.

Larger airports often have more than one terminal (sometimes called Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal A, Terminal B, etc.). Each terminal may serve different airlines, or different terminals may handle domestic vs. international traffic.

What Is a Concourse?

A concourse is a section (or sections) of an airport connected to a terminal, where the gates are located. Concourse areas are mostly “airside” — that is, past security — and are dedicated to boarding, waiting, lounges, shops, and walking to the aircraft.

You can think of a concourse as the “wing” (or wings) attached to the terminal that lead to the gates. Here are some features of a concourse:

• It houses boarding gates
• It has lounges, shops, restrooms, and possibly restaurants
• It may be reached by connecting walkways, tunnels, people movers, or bridges
• It focuses on moving passengers from the terminal toward their flights

So when someone says “Gate A12 is in Concourse A,” they’re referring to that wing or extension off the main terminal.

What’s the Difference Between a Concourse and a Terminal?

Putting it simply:

In many airports, the terminal is the “base” or core structure, and concourses are attachments or extensions.

However, in practice you’ll see these terms used in ways that blur the lines:

• Sometimes a terminal includes its concourses in the same structure, and people refer to “Terminal A gates” when they really mean Concourse A.
• Some airports call gate wings “Terminals” even though they function like concourses.
• In smaller airports, the single building handles both terminal and concourse roles.

Another nuance: some designs use piers or satellites instead of concourses. A pier is often a long linear structure connected to a terminal; a satellite is a detached building linked by tunnel or train. These distinctions go deeper into airport design theory.

But as a traveler, what matters most is: the terminal is where you check in, the concourse is where you board.

Examples of Airports with Multiple Terminals and Concourses

Here are a few real-world examples to illustrate how different airports use terminals and concourses.

CVG (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International)

• My home airport of CVG has one active terminal (sometimes called the “Main Terminal”) which contains the check-in, security, and baggage claim facilities.
• It has two concourses, named Concourse A and Concourse B.
• To get from the terminal to Concourse B (or between Concourses A and B), there is an underground tunnel or people mover. It takes about 4 minutes by train or ~6 minutes to walk between concourses
• The current terminal building was actually originally called Terminal 3, as there used to be 2 other terminal buildings. Terminals 1 and 2 (along with Concourse C in Terminal 3) were all torn down in 2016-2017.

Columbus (John Glenn Columbus International, CMH)

• Columbus has one terminal with three concourses (A, B, and C).
• Each concourse has its own security checkpoint (i.e., after you pass security, you are locked into that concourse) — they are not connected airside.
• Concourse C handles international arrivals (non-preclearance).

Chicago O’Hare (ORD)

• Chicago O’Hare has four passenger terminals — Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5, and each terminal has multiple concourses
• Each terminal has one or more concourses:
• Terminal 1 has Concourses B and C
• Terminal 2 has Concourses E and F
• Terminal 3 has Concourses G, H, K, and L
• Terminals 1–3 are connected airside, so you can walk between them after security.
• Terminal 5 is separate and handles most international flights.
• The Airport Transit System (ATS) connects all terminals and parking areas.
• Travelers connecting between Terminal 5 and the others should allow time for the train transfer.

New York LaGuardia (LGA)

• LaGuardia has three terminals: A, B, C
• Each terminal has its own concourses and gate areas. These concourses are not named or numbered. Instead, they are labeled by the gates they serve. Terminal B has two concourses, one for Gates 11-31 and one for Gates 40-59
• Terminal A (the old Marine Air Terminal) serves fewer flights.
• Terminal B is the largest and most modern, with multiple concourses connected by pedestrian bridges.
• Terminal C is home to Delta and also features several concourses.
• Each terminal has its own security checkpoint, so you can’t walk between all of them airside. You can walk between concourses within the same terminal airside.
• Always double-check both your terminal letter and gate number before heading to the airport — each terminal is a separate building.

Why Does This Matter for You as a Traveler?

• Know where to go – Signage often tells you “Terminal B, Concourse C.” If you understand that the concourse is your gate wing, the signage makes more sense.
• Plan your connection time – If you land in one concourse but need to connect via another, you may have to ride a tram, walk a long corridor, or transfer terminals.
• It makes airport maps more useful – You can pull up the airport map (on the airport website or app) before your trip. It helps you see where the terminal and concourses lie.
• Security layout matters – At some airports, each concourse has its own security checkpoint, so once you enter one you can’t cross over to another without re-screening (e.g. Columbus).
• Expect walking / transit time – Especially at large airports, walking between concourses or from terminal to concourse can take several minutes or require a train.

The Bottom Line

Understanding the difference between a terminal and a concourse can make your next trip a lot less stressful. Think of the terminal as your starting point — where you check in, drop bags, and go through security — and the concourse as the wing where your gate and plane are waiting. Before you travel, take a minute to check your gate’s concourse letter and review the airport map so you know what to expect. Follow the signs after security, and give yourself a few extra minutes if you need to move between concourses or terminals. With these quick tips in mind, you’ll navigate even the biggest airports like a pro — and spend more time relaxing before your flight instead of sprinting through the halls.

Did you know the difference between an airport terminal and a concourse? Share your thoughts in the comments below

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