Gatlinburg is a tourist haven for nature enthusiasts as it leads to the famous Great Smoky Mountains National Park with activities for tourists of all ages and interests. Conveniently, this attraction has a lot of ways to get there. So, this article will help you find the closest airports to Gatlinburg, TN along with additional traveling tips, major attractions, and answers to common questions that tourists might have.
The nearest airport to Gatlinburg is McGhee Tyson Airport. However, if other airports will be a more fitting choice, this article will cover them along with details that readers might require to plan a hassle-free trip to this tourist attraction.
Top 3 Closest Airports to Gatlinburg, Tennessee
While choosing an airport near Gatlinburg (TN), travelers must consider the duration of travel, distance, and transit options. This section will provide a list in order of convenience for seasoned and novice travelers alike.
1. McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
The nearest airport to Gatlinburg is McGhee Tyson Airport. The travel would take an
hour depending on traffic.
- Distance from Gatlinburg: 71.6km
- Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Transportation: Taxis [Knoxville Taxi Service (+1 865 691 1900)]
- Uber (costs about 45 to 50 dollars depending on the car needed)
- Car rentals (AAA, AVIS, Budget, National, Dollar, and Payless)
- Airlines available: Delta, United, American, Allegiant and Frontier Airlines
2. Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
Next, the nearest airport to Gatlinburg is Asheville Regional Airport. This is the cheapest
option for tourists. Below are more details.
- Distance from Gatlinburg: 139 km
- Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours
- Transportation: Car rentals (Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Avis)
- Uber (116 to 194 dollars)
- Airlines available: Delta, United, American, Sun Country Airlines and Elite
3. Tri-Cities Airport
In the list of closest airports to Gatlinburg, the next airport is Tri-Cities Regional Airport. It is the largest airport in Southeastern Washington and Northeastern Oregon region.
- Distance from Gatlinburg: 163.6 km
- Duration: 2 hours
- Transportation: Uber for 219 to 327 dollars
- Private shuttle available on demand
- Taxi [Quicksilver Taxi (423) 430-0324] [Eller Taxi Servis (276) 759-2200]
- Airlines available: Allegiant, American, and Delta airlines
Top Tourist Attractions of Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is famous for being the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, tourists must have information about the activities to pursue here to cherish every moment of this exhilarating trip. Below are a few major attractions of Gatlinburg:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park: This is the most famous attraction of Gatlinburg. Activities like hiking and horseback riding trails, historical exhibits, and special biking events are available here. Also, this national park does not charge an entry fee.
- Anakeesta Amusement Park: This option is worth exploring for those traveling with children or park lovers. The bird-themed carnival hosts roller coasters, an observation tower, and shopping areas.
- Ripley’s Believe it or Not!: This adventurous place is ideal for family travelers. From themed galleries, theatres, and haunted houses, to games like mini-golf, mirror maze, and Aquarium of the Smokies, every attraction here will make visitors soak up in absolute bliss.
- Hollywood Star Cars Museum: Every car lover’s dream come true- a collection of once celebrity-owned cars as well as the ones used on famous TV shows and movies. The timings of the museum are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on all days. Paid parking is available and kids under 5 are allowed for free, while adult tickets cost $17.99, and children from 6 to 12 enter at $9.99.
- Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community: A tranquil experience like this amidst nature is unforgettable. It is an indulgent experience for creative enthusiasts with galleries of paintings, hand-blown glass, and photography. They also host hands-on workshops for interested learners in silk marbling, soap making, and much more.
Gatlinburg Travel Tips
After listing the nearest airports to Gatlinburg, below are tips that will make the travel seamless.
- Pre-book flights months in advance to avoid booking spiked tickets around the holiday season.
- Avoid traveling in peak seasons to decrease overall expenditure. September and mid-October are the perfect times to visit here to enjoy the weather and beat the crowd.
- Connecting flights can be a convenient option when traveling to smaller airports
- Always compare flight fares through different travel-related search engines and compare tickets through all days of the week to find and book the cheapest and best option.
- Pick the mode of transport according to the amount of luggage and convenience. Also, visitors are advised to book all their travel-related tickets in advance to ensure clarity.
- Keep handy the local currency in case visiting from abroad.
- Walking is the optimal choice to enjoy the scenery to the fullest. Visitors can also choose to use the free trolleys available here.
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These were just a few of the things to enjoy at Gatlinburg. A vacation to Gatlinburg paradise irrespective of the age of the travelers. To sum up, the closest airport to Gatlinburg is McGhee Tyson Airport, followed by other airports such as Asheville Regional Airport and Tri-Cities Airport. Planning the trip beforehand will give visitors the privilege to enjoy all the aspects of the trip at their convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, there are many major airports near Gatlinburg TN. The most famous choice is McGhee Tyson Airport.
The closest airport to Gatlinburg is McGhee Tyson Airport.
Many major airlines like Delta, United, American, and Allegiant fly to and from McGhee Tyson Airport.
After, Gatlinburg, the closest airport to Gatlinburg is Asheville Regional Airport.
The best time to travel to Gatlinburg is from September to mid-October.
