Memphis International Airport lies approximately 11 kilometres south-east of Downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The airport accommodates over four million passengers each year and is one of the world’s largest cargo hubs. The airport is close to all the fascinating attractions of Memphis, and is an ideal base from which to explore Tennessee and neighbouring states of Arkansas and Mississippi.
There are unmissable venues and landmarks to explore a short distance from the airport. In Downtown Memphis, Beale Street Historic District introduces visitors to the world of Rhythm and Blues. With live music bars, restaurants, theatres and museums, there is something to suit all travellers. Delve into the history of the Deep South at the National Civil Rights Museum. Inside the museum, visitors can discover the stories of bold pioneers of the Civil Rights Movement. Exhibits are displayed in Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King and his entourage stayed. Music lovers should venture to Memphis Music Hall of Fame or Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum to explore the city’s musical roots. Both museums showcase interactive displays, instruments and costumes from a range of decades. To escape the hustle and bustle, Court Square provides a tranquil haven in amongst the office buildings of Downtown Memphis. With plenty of shady areas, fountains, gazebos and statues, it’s the ideal place in which to relax and soak up the city atmosphere.
The ideal way to explore Memphis and surrounding areas is by car. Although Downtown area is compact enough to walk around, there is much to see on the city’s outer edges. From the airport, shuttle buses transport visitors to accommodations throughout the city. Alternatively, a public bus service operates to all central locations. Taxis, Uber and Lyft, are all available from the airport.
During the early years of Memphis International Airport, there were just three hangars and one unpaved runway. Throughout World War II, United States Army Air Forces used the airport while sending aircraft overseas. The current building was a multi-million-dollar investment which opened in 1963. In the years that followed, the terminal began to expand with flights to several U.S. states, Canadian regions and Mexico. Today, the airport operates around 80 passenger flights each day.