These are the closest airports to Gatlinburg TN

What makes the Great Smoky Mountains National Park such a popular tourist location? Well, there’s the natural beauty, of course. There’s also Dollywood and lots of other entertainment that has bolstered the region’s tourism. But there’s another reason: Location, location, location. Since I live under an hour away from the heart of the Smokies, I sometimes forget about the fact that there are several major cities along the East Coast, into the Midwest and across the South within a reasonable drive. But what do you need to know if you’re flying to the mountains?

What airport do you fly into for Gatlinburg, Tennessee? Your main options

Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is the closest airport to Gatlinburg, and it’s often my airport of choice when I travel. Frankly, I think it’s safe to say that it’s usually the preferred airport for most travelers. It’s a little over an hour’s drive to Gatlinburg from TYS. McGee Tyson is Knoxville’s airport, but for all intents and purposes, it is located in Alcoa in nearby Blount County. You can be in Townsend from the airport in less than half an hour and Pigeon Forge via I-40 and exit 407 in an hour. In my experience, it will take just a little over an hour to get to Gatlinburg depending, of course, on the traffic.

The small airport Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) in Northeast Tennessee and the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) in North Carolina are also options that are worth price checking, but those are approximately a two-hour drive from Gatlinburg. Asheville might be the preferred destination if you plan on exploring the North Carolina side of the mountains about 60 miles east of the Cherokee Park entrance. It’s nearly two hours from there to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

Do you need a rental car if you’re going to the Smoky Mountains?

McGhee Tyson offers a variety of rental carriers, Lyft and Uber, taxis and charters. In my experience, rideshares can be difficult to find once you’re in the mountains. Therefore, your best bet would definitely be to get a car rental.

What is the closest major airport to Gatlinburg?

I know people who refuse to fly into small airports. So if you’re considering the closest major airport, look at Charlotte, Nashville or Atlanta. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Charlotte Douglas International Airport in NC (CLT) and Nashville International Airport (BNA) are within about 3-5 hours from the Smoky Mountains, depending on traffic. You could also consider the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in Greenville, South Carolina, a little over three hours away.

What about the Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Airport?

The Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge Airport is a general aviation airport. It does not have commercial aircraft flights. It is located in Sevierville, not far at all from the back entrance to Dollywood and a good way to bypass Pigeon Forge traffic if you’re going to Gatlinburg. Located on almost 200 acres, the airport currently has 50 hangars and is home to over 100 aircraft, the Tennessee Hall of Fame, and the Tennessee Museum of Aviation. My hometown of Morristown offers a similar option. The Morristown Regional Airport has undergone several upgrades and is about a 45-minute drive to Pigeon Forge. McGhee Tyson also has a fixed-base operator that services corporate jets as well as private planes.

Have you flown to Gatlinburg TN? Let me know about your experience in the comments!

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