What’s the Closest Airport To Gatlinburg TN?
Are you looking for the closest airport to Gatlinburg TN? There are a few choices, ranging from small regional airports to major international hubs.
The closest airport is McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville, which is around an hour away.
Key Takeaways
- McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville is the closest major airport to Gatlinburg, just 41 miles away.
- Asheville (AVL), Chattanooga and Tri-Cities (TRI) are all within 2 hours from Gatlinburg. Charlotte (CLT) and Atlanta (ATL) are around 4 hours’ drive away.
- A rental car is almost necessary for a Gatlinburg vacation. The airport is far from the attractions. However, the town of Gatlinburg is small, and if you plan to stay in town, it’s easily walkable. Taxis and Uber/Lyft services are other transportation options to reach Gatlinburg.
The closest Airport to Gatlinburg, TN
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) near Knoxville (1 hour)
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is only an hour’s drive from the beautiful city of Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Knoxville offers nonstop flights via most major airlines. It also has Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines.
The distance between McGhee-Tyson Airport and Gatlinburg is approximately 40 miles. It takes about an hour to travel there.
Note: The Knoxville airport is about 20 minutes south of Downtown Knoxville.
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), 2 hours
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is the next closest airport to Gatlinburg, TN. It’s 85 miles away and about a 1 hour 40 minute drive from Gatlinburg.
AVL offers numerous nonstop daily flights via American Airlines, Delta, and Allegiant Air.
Tri-Cities Airport (TRI), 3 hours
Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) is located in Blountville, Tennessee, about 100 miles or two hours from Gatlinburg. Though not as large of an airport as Knoxville or Asheville, its another option for those looking to fly into Gatlinburg.
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (3 hours)
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is approximately 107 miles from Gatlinburg, TN. This makes it one of the closest airports to Gatlinburg.
CHA is a medium-sized airport that provides commercial flights from various airlines. It includes American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, flying to most major hub airports.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), 4 hours
Charlotte (CLT) is one of the closest major airports to this popular mountain destination. It’s just four hours from Gatlinburg, TN.
This large hub airport for American Airlines offers an extensive range of flights. It also offers flights with other major domestic and international airlines. These include Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines.
Direct flights from many large US cities like Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, IL, and Miami, FL, arrive at CLT. This means you can get to Gatlinburg without making connections from almost anywhere.
Atlanta Hartsfield International (ATL), 4 hours
The Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport (ATL) is a primary gateway. It is the world’s busiest airport for passenger traffic. The airport is located 4 hours from Gatlinburg, TN. Tns National Park area without making any flight connections.
Gatlinburg is only 200 miles away. The drive takes about four to five hours. This can vary depending on road conditions, like Atlanta traffic.
Transportation Options from the Airport to Gatlinburg
Renting a Car
A rental car is highly recommended when visiting Gatlinburg! While we like to use ride share services or public transportation when we can, it just doesn’t work well in Gatlinburg.
Finding the best deal on rental cars
Here are some of the best places to book rental cars. We usually check several sources, including directly with rental car companies. Costco requires a membership and doesn’t offer all the companies. Autoslash is an excellent option that finds you the best deals by applying coupons.
Uber, Lyft, and Taxis
The Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge area’s attractions are spread out. Getting around without a rental car is difficult. One exception is if you plan to stay in the downtown Gatlinburg area. It’s easily walkable and has a trolley system running throughout the town.
Remember that Gatlinburg is a small area. Finding an Uber or Lyft back to the airport at certain times of day may be difficult.
The pickup areas for both services are located outside the airport.
Licensed taxicab companies are available at the airport for those who prefer taxis. They typically wait outside near baggage claim. However, availability isn’t guaranteed.
Conclusion
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville is the closest major airport, approximately 41 miles away from the center of Gatlinburg.
