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Screen-printed illustration: The glass west entrance of the Visitor Center faces the Old Courthouse beneath the arch's curve.

How to Get to Gateway Arch: Airports, Access & Transportation

By David Sanchez · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Gateway Arch

Gateway Arch National Park sits right in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, just a few feet from the west bank of the Mississippi River. The nearest airport is St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), about 19 miles from the park. Allow 25 to 35 minutes by car, depending on traffic. This is an urban national park, so if you're staying downtown, you can walk to the Arch.

Airports around the park (5)

  • Airport St. Louis Lambert International Airport STL · 13 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
  • Airport Scott AFB/Midamerica Airport BLV · 20 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
  • Airport Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois MWA · 88 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
  • Airport Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport SPI · 88 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
  • Airport Cape Girardeau Regional Airport CGI · 103 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
Map: Airports around the park Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Where to Land: Which Airport Serves Gateway Arch

St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), the Main Airport

St. Louis Lambert International Airport (IATA code: STL) serves St. Louis with nonstop flights from about 30 U.S. cities, including Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles. It's 19 miles northwest of downtown. From STL, you have three ways to reach the Arch:

  • MetroLink (Red Line): The line leaves from the airport terminal and stops at Arch-Laclede's Landing, right by the park. The trip takes about 40 minutes and costs less than $3.
  • Uber, Lyft, or taxi: $30 to $45 depending on the time of day, with a 25- to 35-minute ride.
  • Rental car: Useful if you're continuing to other stops on a road trip, but unnecessary if you're only visiting St. Louis.

Major Domestic Hubs

If you're arriving from the East or West Coast, the best-connected hubs for STL are Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), and Atlanta (ATL). Regional flights from these hubs take 1.5 to 2 hours.

Getting to Gateway Arch from France: Direct Flight or Connecting Flight

There are no direct flights between France and St. Louis. The usual connection is through Chicago O'Hare on Air France or through Atlanta on Delta, departing from Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Allow 10 to 13 hours door to door, including the connection. Fares vary widely depending on the season and how far in advance you book.

For travelers planning a longer U.S. trip, St. Louis fits naturally after Chicago or before Nashville. The regional itineraries offer sample routes starting in St. Louis.

By Car: Driving Distances and Times from Gateway Cities

Gateway Arch sits at the junction of four major interstates: I-70 (east-west), I-55 (north-south), I-44, and I-64. The drive is straightforward from across the Midwest, with no mountain roads or detours.

Gateway city Approx. distance Estimated time
Kansas City (MO) 250 miles 4 hours
Chicago (IL) 300 miles 4.5 hours
Indianapolis (IN) 240 miles 3.5 hours
Memphis (TN) 285 miles 4 hours
Nashville (TN) 310 miles 4.5 hours
Louisville (KY) 270 miles 4 hours

Times are estimates without traffic, using the interstate.

St. Louis pairs well with Mammoth Cave (Kentucky) or the Ozarks on a Midwest trip. The regional itineraries offer customized route ideas.

Park Access: Two Areas, Two Ways to Enter

Gateway Arch is an urban national park, so it works differently from Yellowstone or Zion. There's no entrance fee or gate to pass through. The site has two distinct areas.

The Grounds: Open and Free

The landscaped lawn stretching between the monument and the Mississippi River is open every day of the year, with no ticket or reservation required. You can walk around freely, photograph the Arch from the lawn, and look out over the river. This is often where you'll get the best photo.

Visitor Center, Museum, and Tram Ride: Paid Admission with a Reservation

To go inside, including the tram ride to the top at 630 feet and the Museum of Westward Expansion, you'll need to book a Timed Entry slot. Check the NPS website for current prices. The America the Beautiful pass takes $3 off the adult tram ticket, for up to four discounted tickets per pass. The museum and Old Courthouse remain free. Tickets sell out quickly in July and August, so book several weeks ahead during the busy season. For information about entrance fees and passes, see the National Parks Fees & Passes page.

Visitor Center and museum hours:

  • Summer season (from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend): 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
  • Rest of the year: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
  • Annual closures: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

The park stretches for about 2,000 feet along the river. Once you're there, you can get everywhere on foot. There is no park shuttle.

Walking from Downtown

Most downtown St. Louis hotels are a 10- to 20-minute walk from the Arch. That's our top recommendation because you won't have to worry about parking, and you'll pass through the historic Laclede's Landing neighborhood along the way. For nearby lodging options, see the Gateway Arch lodging guide.

The MetroLink Red Line connects the airport with downtown and stops at Arch-Laclede's Landing, just a few minutes' walk from the park's north entrance. It's the option we recommend when you're coming straight from the airport or from an outlying neighborhood.

Parking

There is no NPS parking lot on site. Several private garages and lots are within 0.25 miles of the park, especially along Chestnut Street and around Laclede's Landing. The usual rate is $15 to $25 per day. In summer, arriving before 9 a.m. makes it easier to find a spot.

Other Options: Train, Long-Distance Bus, and Tours

Amtrak serves St. Louis from Chicago (Illinois Service, about 5.5 hours) and Kansas City (Missouri River Runner, about 5.5 hours). Union Station is less than 1.2 miles from the park, and you can get there by taxi or MetroLink.

Greyhound and FlixBus offer connections from many Midwestern cities. The St. Louis bus station is about 0.9 miles from the Arch.

There are organized day tours from Chicago, Kansas City, and Nashville that include Gateway Arch. It's a convenient option if you don't want to handle the driving and logistics yourself.

In Summary: The Route Based on Your Starting Point

Coming from France? Connect through Chicago (ORD) or Atlanta (ATL) and land at STL. From the airport, MetroLink drops you a short walk from the Arch in 40 minutes for less than $3. There's no need to rent a car if you're only visiting St. Louis.

Already in the Midwest? You can reach St. Louis in less than half a day from Chicago, Kansas City, or Indianapolis. Park in a central garage and let MetroLink or your feet do the rest.

Either way, book your Timed Entry slot before you leave. Check the NPS website for current prices. Tram tickets sell out quickly starting in June. To plan your full stay, the Gateway Arch guide covers the essentials for your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Gateway Arch located?

Gateway Arch National Park is in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, on the west bank of the Mississippi River.

What does the Gateway Arch symbolize?

The Arch symbolizes the Gateway to the West and commemorates the United States' 19th-century westward expansion toward the Pacific. Its inverted catenary shape is 630 feet tall and spans the same distance at its base.

How do you get to St. Louis from France?

There are no direct flights between Paris and St. Louis. The most common connection is through Chicago O'Hare or Atlanta from Paris-CDG, for a total travel time of 10 to 13 hours.

How much does it cost to enter Gateway Arch?

Access to the grounds along the river is free. The tram ride to the top of the Arch requires a Timed Entry reservation. Check the NPS website for current prices. The museum and Old Courthouse are free. The America the Beautiful pass takes $3 off the adult tram ticket, for up to four tickets per pass. For entrance fees and annual passes, see the National Parks Fees & Passes page.

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