Lower level
Baggage claim and arrivals are on the lower level. Uber and Lyft pickup is outside the terminal, directly to the right as you exit. A service animal relief area is near the lower-level exit by the Airport Hilton.
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) terminal guide
Knoxville/Maryville, Tennessee KTYS #80 US airport by passengers
How TYS is laid out and how to move between buildings.
Terminals at TYS
Upper level
Airline ticket counters and the departures area are on the upper level. Check in here, since a boarding pass or e-ticket is required to pass through security. The taxi pickup area is on the north side of the terminal, accessible from baggage claim.
Checkpoint
The TSA checkpoint has four lanes. The airport has a $10 million grant-funded project planned to expand it to six lanes, with the option to grow to eight, beginning late 2026 or early 2027.
Gates and concourse
Gates and the food court are past the checkpoint. Food concessions and retail are available past security, and a private Mamava pod is past the checkpoint to the right. The airport has an ATM before security, and a TN State Bank ATM is just past security.
Moving between terminals
TYS has one terminal, so everything after security is in one area. Access beyond the checkpoint is limited to ticketed passengers, except in special circumstances arranged through the airline.
Reviewed October 9, 2026. Confirm details on the official airport website. Spotted a change?
Frequently asked questions
Is the TYS terminal open overnight?
The terminal is open 24 hours a day, but security and ticket counters open about two hours before the first departure. TSA checkpoints close overnight after the last departing flight.