Gatlinburg, Tennessee was just ranked as the #1 travel destination in the United States! Resting at the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg is just a day’s drive from 60% of the nation’s population. If you live too far away to drive, however, flying to Gatlinburg is a great option. To help you plan your next vacation, we’ve put together a handy guide to the closest airport near Gatlinburg TN.
Where Is The Closest Airport To Gatlinburg?
The closest commercial airport is the McGhee-Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville, Tennessee and is about 40 miles from Gatlinburg. The number for the McGhee- Tyson Airport is (865) 342-2900. Private charter planes can fly into the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (KGKT), just call them at (865) 453-8393.
McGhee Tyson Airport Near Gatlinburg
McGhee Tyson Airport is located 12 miles south of Knoxville, TN and is the closest airport to Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. Without traffic, the drive from McGhee Tyson Airport to downtown Gatlinburg is about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Although McGhee Tyson Airport is a relatively small airport, it is served by a number of major airlines, including United, Delta, American, and Allegiant. Due to its small size, there is hardly ever a long security line and finding your terminal and gate is a breeze. If you have any downtime at the airport, you can kick back in a complimentary rocking chair or check out the local artwork that is frequently on display.
Car Rentals at Airport
If you plan on spending significant time in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg, we highly recommend renting a car. The park is home to numerous scenic drives and breathtaking destinations like Mt. Leconte, Cades Cove and Clingmans Dome that you will miss if you don’t have a vehicle. Fortunately, there are a number of name-brand car rental companies like Hertz, Avis and Enterprise right at McGhee Tyson Airport.
Uber, Lyft, and Taxis
Visitors who decide not to rent a car will have a number of ways to get from McGhee Tyson Airport to Gatlinburg. Both Uber and Lyft have drivers that frequent the airport. These services are typically cheaper than taxis and usually cost between $45 – 50 for a trip to Gatlinburg, TN. Taxis are usually hardly available at the airport.
Other Airports Near Gatlinburg TN
While McGhee Tyson is definitely the most convenient airport near Gatlinburg TN, you may be able to find a cheaper flight (or a flight with fewer stops) at another airport in the area. Here is a quick look at some of the other airports that are a relatively short drive from the the Great Smoky Mountains National Part:
- Asheville Regional Airport – 2 hours from Gatlinburg
- Tri-Cities Regional Airport – 2 hours from Gatlinburg
- Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport – 2 hours, 30 minutes from Gatlinburg
- Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport – 3 hours from Gatlinburg
- Nashville International Airport – 3 hours, 30 minutes from Gatlinburg
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport – 3 hours, 30 minutes from Gatlinburg
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – 4 hours from Gatlinburg
Weather in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
We have put together several pages where you can quickly see the LIVE weather conditions for Gatlinburg, TN, Ober Mountain, Anakeesta, Gatlinburg Skylift Park (Skybridge) and other area attractions.
