Getting to Great Smoky Mountains: Airports, Access, and Transportation

By David Sanchez · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Great Smoky Mountains

The most convenient airport is Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport (code TYS), about 37 miles from the main Gatlinburg entrance. Plan on a 50- to 70-minute drive, including traffic. You'll need a car. Unlike Zion or Rocky Mountain, Great Smoky Mountains has no public shuttle connecting the gateway towns to the park.

Airports around the park (5)

• Airport McGhee Tyson Airport TYS · 31 miles from the park · major hub Directions ↗
• Airport Asheville Regional Airport AVL · 55 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
• Airport Tri-Cities Regional TN/VA Airport TRI · 86 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
• Airport Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport GSP · 88 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
• Airport Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (Lovell Field) CHA · 103 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Where to Fly: Which Airport for Great Smoky Mountains

The Nearest Regional Airport

McGhee Tyson Airport (Knoxville, TN, code TYS) is the most logical gateway on the Tennessee side. It's about 37 miles from the Gatlinburg entrance, or a 50- to 70-minute drive. Major U.S. airlines, including American, Delta, United, and Southwest, offer connections from Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, and New York. Rental cars are available on-site, which makes arrival logistics easier.

Asheville Regional Airport (AVL, North Carolina) is a solid alternative if you're entering the park from the south through Cherokee. It's about 56 miles from that entrance, a 1.5-hour drive. The flight selection is smaller than at Knoxville, but rental rates can sometimes be more competitive, and the airport is much more compact.

Major International Hubs

Charlotte Douglas (CLT) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) handle the vast majority of connections from European airports. From Charlotte, plan on a 2.5-hour drive to the southern Cherokee entrance, or four hours to Gatlinburg. From Atlanta, the Cherokee entrance is about 2.5 hours north.

Getting to Great Smoky Mountains from France: Nonstop Flight or Connection

No airline offers nonstop flights from France to the park's regional airports. You'll have to connect through a U.S. hub.

From Paris-CDG, the most frequent routes go through Charlotte (Air France, American Airlines) or Atlanta (Delta). Plan on an average flight time of 8 to 9 hours to Charlotte, followed by a 2.5- to 4-hour drive to the park, depending on which entrance you choose. From Lyon, Nice, or Bordeaux, you'll make a connection in Europe, usually Amsterdam, London, or Frankfurt, before connecting to Charlotte or Atlanta.

An overnight layover in Charlotte or Atlanta after a red-eye flight is a common option. Pick up your car in the morning and reach the park around lunchtime. For entrance fees and annual passes, our Fees & Passes page explains the costs and pass options.

By Car: Distances and Drive Times from Gateway Towns

Whatever your starting point, you'll eventually be behind the wheel. The table below summarizes the main distances to the nearest entrance.

During the busy season, especially October for fall foliage, the roads around Gatlinburg can turn into one enormous tourist traffic jam. If you're coming through Pigeon Forge, build in extra time. The Townsend entrance farther west is usually much less congested.

Great Smoky Mountains Entrances

The park has three main entrances, all accessible by public road.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This is the busiest entrance. It provides access to Newfound Gap Road (US-441), the park's central route, and Sugarlands Visitor Center, about 1.2 miles from the entrance. If you're coming from Knoxville or elsewhere in Tennessee, this is the most natural route, but it's also the busiest in summer and fall.

Townsend, Tennessee. This quieter entrance is also on the Tennessee side, farther west. It gives you access to Cades Cove Loop Road and the Little River Valley without passing through Gatlinburg's commercial sprawl. Choose it if your itinerary includes the park's western areas.

Cherokee, North Carolina. This is the southern entrance. It provides access to Newfound Gap Road from its southern end and to Oconaluftee Visitor Center. It's ideal if you're coming from Asheville or Charlotte, or if you're continuing along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The park's major roads, including Newfound Gap Road, Little River Road, and Laurel Creek Road, stay open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round, weather permitting. Secondary roads close seasonally. Check our Weather page before visiting in winter or early spring. Temporary closures are possible at higher elevations, where temperatures can drop 10 to 20°F below those in the valley.

Getting Around Great Smoky Mountains: Car, Shuttles, and Parking

Once you're in the park, your car remains your only way to get around. Fill up before you enter because there are no gas stations inside. During the busy season, parking lots at popular sites such as Alum Cave, Laurel Falls, and Clingmans Dome fill up by 9 a.m. The NPS has introduced a reservation system for some areas; check recreation.gov. For details on park roads, shuttles, and parking, see the Getting Around the Smokies guide.

Other Options: Tours and Public Transportation

Gatlinburg trolleys. The city of Gatlinburg operates a local trolley network, the Gatlinburg Trolley, that serves the park entrance from downtown for a few dollars. It's convenient if you're staying in town and want to avoid parking for your first visits. It won't replace a vehicle for exploring the park's more remote areas.

Organized tours. Local operators offer guided minivan tours from Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, or Knoxville. This is a practical option for a short stay or if you don't have an international driver's permit. If you want to explore trails and remote areas at your own pace, having your own car is better, especially if you've picked out specific hikes on our Hiking page.

In Summary: The Best Route In, Depending on Your Starting Point

Three scenarios cover the vast majority of visitors from France.

Paris via Charlotte. Fly from CDG to CLT with Air France or American, connect from CLT to TYS in Knoxville, rent a car on-site, and enter through Gatlinburg. This is the most direct route for exploring the Tennessee side of the park.

Paris via Atlanta. Fly from CDG to ATL with Delta, rent a car in Atlanta, and drive to the Cherokee entrance from the south. Choose this route if you're continuing to other destinations in the American Southeast or planning to follow the Blue Ridge Parkway.

From Asheville or the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you're already driving through North Carolina, Cherokee is 56 miles away. Enter from the south, exit through Gatlinburg or Townsend, and the loop comes together naturally.

In every case, book your rental car as early as possible. In October, rates around Knoxville and Asheville rise quickly. Our complete Great Smoky Mountains guide and Itinerary & Length of Stay page will help you plan the rest of your trip once you're there. For lodging at the park's gateways or inside the park, see our Where to Stay guide.

Frequently Asked Questions