How to Get to Yellowstone: Airports, Access & Transportation
Getting to Yellowstone from France requires a connection on U.S. soil. The most convenient landing point is still Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) in Montana, about 90 miles from the North Entrance, or a 1.5-hour drive. From there, you'll need a car. There are no long-distance shuttles and no train service to the park gates. Plan on a full day of door-to-door travel from Paris.
Airports around the park (5)
- Airport Yellowstone Airport WYS · 29 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Jackson Hole Airport JAC · 69 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Yellowstone Regional Airport COD · 75 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport BZN · 87 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
- Airport Idaho Falls Regional Airport IDA · 106 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Where to Land: Which Airport for Yellowstone
The Closest Regional Airports
Three regional airports serve as gateways to the park.
Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) is our top choice. With strong connections through Denver and Salt Lake City, it serves the North Entrance via Gardiner in 1.5 hours and has all the major rental car companies.
West Yellowstone Airport (WYS) is just minutes from the West Entrance. It looks appealing on paper, but it only handles seasonal flights on small regional aircraft from Salt Lake City. Transatlantic connections are rarely seamless.
Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) in Cody, Wyoming, provides access to the East Entrance via a 50-mile drive that takes about 1 hour, along a spectacular route beside the Shoshone River.
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), tucked inside Grand Teton National Park, serves the South Entrance from about 62 miles away. It's an ideal option if you're combining Yellowstone and Grand Teton in the same trip.
Major International Hubs
From France, you'll have to connect through a U.S. hub. Denver International (DEN) and Salt Lake City International (SLC) are the two best-positioned airports. Both offer frequent nonstop flights to BZN, JAC, and COD, with connection times ranging from 1.5 to 2 hours.
Getting to Yellowstone from France: Nonstop or Connecting Flight
There are no nonstop flights from France to the airports near Yellowstone. The most common itinerary is Paris-CDG → Denver (a nonstop Air France flight of about 10 hours) → Bozeman (a 1-hour regional flight). Another solid option is Paris-CDG → Salt Lake City (a nonstop Delta flight of about 10 hours) → Bozeman or Jackson.
Plan on at least 14 to 16 hours of door-to-door travel from Paris, including connections and transfers.
Book regional flights early. Routes to Wyoming and Montana fill up in July and August well before long-haul flights do.
By Car: Distances and Drive Times from Gateway Towns
Driving is the only way to get around Yellowstone independently. The table below covers the essential reference points.
| Starting city | Recommended entrance | Distance | Estimated drive time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman (MT) | North, via Gardiner | 90 miles | 1.5 hours |
| Jackson (WY) | South | 62 miles | 1.5 hours |
| Cody (WY) | East | 50 miles | 1 hour |
| Salt Lake City (UT) | South, via Jackson | 329 miles | 5.5 hours |
| Denver (CO) | South, via Jackson | 559 miles | 9 hours |
Drive times are approximate and don't include stops or summer traffic. In peak season, add 30 to 60 minutes when driving from Jackson.
Pick up your rental car directly at the airport where you land. A standard vehicle is enough for the Grand Loop. Choose an SUV if you're planning to use secondary roads.
Yellowstone's Five Entrances
The park covers nearly 3,475 square miles in the northwest corner of Wyoming, with 3% extending into Montana and 1% into Idaho. It has five separate entrances, and not all of them stay open in winter.
West Entrance (West Yellowstone, MT) is the busiest, with direct access to the geysers in the Madison area. It's open to wheeled vehicles from mid-April through early November, depending on weather, and to over-snow vehicles from December 15 through March 15.
North Entrance (Gardiner, MT) is the only entrance open to cars 365 days a year. It passes through the Roosevelt Arch, built in 1903, before reaching Mammoth Hot Springs.
Northeast Entrance (Cooke City / Silver Gate) is the least busy, which is a major advantage. It follows Lamar Valley, one of the park's best wildlife corridors for bison, bears, and wolves. It's closed to vehicles in winter except for the Gardiner–Cooke City section.
East Entrance (Cody, WY) follows the Shoshone River through an arid, rugged landscape before descending into the Fishing Bridge area. It's closed in winter.
South Entrance (Grand Teton) connects Jackson and Grand Teton directly to the park via US-89. It's a must if you're visiting both parks back to back. It's closed in winter.
Entrance fee: $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. Pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle, and annual pass rates are listed in the national parks fee guide.
Getting Around the Park
In Yellowstone, you're free to drive yourself. Getting Around Yellowstone covers the practical details of driving in the park.
Other Options: Tours and Public Transportation
There is no regular bus or train service from the gateway towns to Yellowstone. If you're traveling without a car, tour operators departing from Bozeman, Jackson, and West Yellowstone offer guided day trips and multiday tours with transportation included.
This is the most realistic option if you're traveling alone or would rather hand off the logistics. Ask at your arrival hotel or contact local providers directly.
In Summary: The Best Route Based on Your Starting Point
- From France: Paris → Denver or Salt Lake City (nonstop flight) → Bozeman or Jackson (regional connection) → North or South Entrance.
- Road-tripping from Denver: plan on a full day of driving, with an overnight stop possible in Cody or Jackson.
- Grand Teton + Yellowstone circuit: arrive in Jackson, enter through the South Entrance, head north, and exit through Gardiner. The Yellowstone itinerary guide lays out the day-by-day stops.
To choose when to visit, see our Yellowstone seasons guide. For lodging in and around the park, read the Where to Stay in Yellowstone guide. The complete Yellowstone guide brings all the topics together if you're just starting to plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airport should I use to visit Yellowstone?
The most convenient airport for visiting Yellowstone is Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) in Montana, a 1.5-hour drive from the North Entrance. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is a good alternative if you're combining the trip with Grand Teton.
How do I get to Yellowstone from France?
To get to Yellowstone from France, take a long-haul flight to Denver or Salt Lake City, then a regional connection to Bozeman or Jackson. Plan on 14 to 16 hours of total travel time from Paris.
How much does a trip to Yellowstone cost?
The park entrance fee is $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days.
When is the best time to visit Yellowstone?
The best time to visit Yellowstone depends on your priorities, including geysers, wildlife, crowds, and snow. Our When to Visit page breaks down each season.
Where should I stay to visit Yellowstone?
Options range from historic lodges inside the park to campgrounds and hotels in the gateway towns. Our Where to Stay page lists them all, along with the booking lead times to keep in mind.