What Are the Golf Carts in Airports Called

Airports use compact electric vehicles to move travelers efficiently. This report explains what they’re called, why names vary, and how to request cart help.

Summary for Readers

Across major terminals, the small, quiet vehicles many travelers call “airport golf carts” are most often described operationally as electric carts, shuttles, people movers, airport buggies, or simply golf carts. Labels typically reflect capacity, routing, and where the vehicle operates inside the facility. For properties beyond aviation—campuses, parks, retirement communities, and hotels—modern golf carts remain a flexible, low-noise option.

Why Airports Use Different Names

Based on interviews with facility managers and a review of common airport signage and vendor catalogs, the naming splits along duty cycle and passenger flow:

• Electric Carts — The umbrella term for battery-powered, indoor-safe vehicles. The name foregrounds the power source and is common in procurement and safety documentation.
• Shuttles — Applied when vehicles follow a defined loop (parking to terminal, terminal to rental center). Expect higher seating capacity, luggage space, and predictable headways.
• People Movers — A broad mobility category that, in terminals, may refer to larger buggy trains or automated systems linking concourses. The emphasis is throughput over distance.
• Airport Buggies — A term frequently used in international hubs for compact, open vehicles offering quick point-to-point assistance for small parties inside secure areas.
• Golf Carts — The familiar chassis adapted for terminal use. The phrase persists because of form factor—two to four seats, short-hop roles, and ease of maneuvering.

At-a-Glance Comparison

How to Get Golf Cart Assistance at an Airport

1. Request during booking: When purchasing tickets online, select mobility assistance or “meet and assist.” Note any limits on walking distance or temporary injuries.
2. Reconfirm with your airline: 48–72 hours before travel, contact the airline to verify assistance for departure, connections, and arrival. Ask where carts typically meet passengers at your airport.
3. Arrive early and flag staff: At check-in, tell the agent you need cart assistance; your record can be annotated so terminal services are alerted.
4. Coordinate at the gate: Inform the gate agent of your connection time. For tight layovers, request a cart to meet you at the jet bridge where permitted.
5. Use help points: Larger hubs post accessibility desks and call points; any uniformed employee can radio a cart if one isn’t visible.
6. Keep essentials hand-carry: Medications, documents, and small electronics should be in a compact bag to speed boarding and exit on the cart.

Note: Availability varies by airport and demand peaks. Travelers who also need a wheelchair should request it at the same time; dispatchers prioritize by need and connection times.

Why Airports Rely on These Vehicles

• Passenger experience: Reduce missed connections and fatigue across long concourses.
• Operational efficiency: Fill the gap between walking and full-size buses without adding noise or emissions inside buildings.
• Facility fit: Tight turning radius and compact footprint suit narrow corridors and busy gate areas.
• Scalable staffing: Contractors can flex drivers based on banked flight schedules and irregular ops.

Beyond Aviation: Where the Same Platforms Thrive

• Schools and campuses: Admissions tours, security patrols, and facilities runs between buildings.
• Attractions and parks: Quiet guest circulation and back-of-house logistics with minimal impact on paths.
• Retirement communities: Daily mobility for residents and caregivers across neighborhood amenities.
• Hotels and resorts: Guest transfers among lobbies, villas, pools, and event spaces using versatile golf carts.

Conclusion

So, what are the golf carts in airports called? In practice you’ll hear electric carts, shuttles, people movers, airport buggies, and golf carts—names that track capacity and mission more than chassis. For travelers, the actionable takeaway is simple: request assistance when you book, reconfirm before you fly, and coordinate at the gate. For properties evaluating their own fleets, the same vehicles that keep terminals moving also excel on campuses, in parks, in retirement communities, and across hospitality.