How to Get to Yosemite: Airports, Entrances, and Transportation
The closest airport to Yosemite is Fresno Yosemite International (FAT), about a 1.5-hour drive from the valley. From San Francisco, plan on 3.5 to 4 hours by car, depending on which entrance you use. The park is open 24/7, 365 days a year, and a car is still essential for exploring Yosemite properly.
Airports around the park (5)
- Airport Mammoth Yosemite Airport MMH · 42 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Merced Regional Macready Field MCE · 65 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Eastern Sierra Regional Airport BIH · 73 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Fresno Yosemite International Airport FAT · 75 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
- Airport Stockton Metropolitan Airport SCK · 92 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Where to Fly: Which Airport Should You Use for Yosemite
The Closest Regional Airport
Fresno Yosemite International (FAT) is the most direct gateway to the park, about 62 miles and a 1.5-hour drive from the South Entrance via Highway 41. The airport offers domestic flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Denver. All the major rental car companies, including Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis, have counters in the terminal.
Merced Regional Airport (MCE) is another regional option, about a 1-hour-45-minute drive from Yosemite Valley via Highway 140. Smaller than Fresno, it mainly receives connecting flights from LAX and SFO. Its practical advantage is that the Arch Rock entrance via Highway 140 is the only western entrance that stays usable year-round, including in snowy conditions.
Major International Hubs
- San Francisco International (SFO): 186 miles from Yosemite, a 3.5- to 4-hour drive. It's the best-served hub from Paris, with nonstop Air France and United flights. Choose it if you're also visiting the Bay Area.
- Los Angeles International (LAX): 298 miles, a 5- to 5.5-hour drive. Ideal if your road trip starts in Southern California.
- Sacramento International (SMF): 174 miles, about a 3-hour drive via Highways 50 and 120. This is a useful option if you're entering through Tioga Pass, which is typically open only from May or June through November.
Getting to Yosemite from France: Nonstop or Connecting Flight
Air France and United offer nonstop flights from Paris-CDG to San Francisco, with a flight time of about 11 hours. From other French cities, plan on a connection in Paris, Amsterdam, or Frankfurt before crossing the Atlantic. There are no nonstop flights from France to Fresno.
The smoothest route from Paris is CDG → SFO on a nonstop flight, an overnight stay in San Francisco if needed, then the drive to Yosemite the next morning. For the overall trip budget, including flights, entrance fees, and lodging, our Yosemite guide offers a practical overview.
By Car: Distances and Drive Times from Gateway Cities
A car remains the most efficient way to get around the park. Here are the key figures from the main bases:
| Starting city | Approximate distance | Estimated drive time | Main route |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | 186 miles | 3.5 to 4 hours | I-580 E + CA-120 |
| Fresno | 62 miles | 1.5 hours | CA-41 N |
| Los Angeles | 298 miles | 5 to 5.5 hours | I-5 N + CA-99 N + CA-41 |
| Sacramento | 174 miles | 3 to 3.5 hours | US-50 E + CA-120 |
| Las Vegas | 385 miles | 6 to 7 hours | US-95 N + CA-120 or CA-140 |
These drive times don't account for summer traffic. In July and August, congestion at the entrances and in the valley can easily add an hour to your trip. Leave before 8 a.m. if you can.
Yosemite's Entrances
The park has five main entrances. They're not all accessible year-round:
- Arch Rock (Highway 140, west): the busiest entrance from Merced and San Francisco. It's open year-round and is usually accessible in snowy weather without chains.
- Big Oak Flat (Highway 120, west): the northwest entrance from Manteca or Modesto. It's open year-round.
- South Entrance (Highway 41, south): the natural gateway from Fresno and the starting point for Mariposa Grove and Glacier Point Road. It's open year-round.
- Tioga Pass (Highway 120, east): the only entrance on the Sierra Nevada side, at an elevation of 9,800 feet. It's closed every winter, generally from November through late May or June, depending on snowfall. If you're coming from Las Vegas or Nevada outside the summer season, don't count on it without checking first.
- Hetch Hetchy (northwest): a secondary area that's open year-round but only from sunrise to sunset, except for backpackers with a valid permit.
The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle for a 7-day stay. The Yosemite annual pass costs $70. The National Parks Fees and Passes page explains entrance fees and the different pass options.
Getting Around Yosemite: Cars, Shuttles, and Parking
Once you're in the park, Yosemite Valley is often packed by 9 a.m. during peak season. The free shuttle serves 21 stops, including the Visitor Center, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome Village, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. during peak season, with reduced service in winter. For parking, seasonal shuttles, and all the park's traffic rules, see the Getting Around Yosemite guide.
Other Options: Tours and Public Transportation
YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) runs bus routes from Merced, with an Amtrak connection, Fresno, Mammoth Lakes, and Highway 395. It's the only realistic alternative to driving if you want to reach the park without a car. The Merced–Yosemite Valley route is the most useful; schedules and fares vary by season.
Bus tours departing from San Francisco or Los Angeles let you visit the valley in a single day. They're convenient for a one-time visit, but less suitable for a deeper stay.
After several visits, here's our take: without a car, you're limited to Yosemite Valley. Hetch Hetchy, Tioga Road, and Mariposa Grove outside the seasonal shuttle service remain inaccessible. For a true tour of the park, drive.
In Summary: The Best Route Based on Your Starting Point
From France: CDG → SFO on a nonstop flight, rent a car at the airport, then take Highway 120 through Big Oak Flat or Highway 140 through Arch Rock, depending on where you're staying. Drive time from SFO: 3.5 to 4 hours.
From Los Angeles: I-5 North, then Highway 41 via Fresno. Allow at least 5 hours, plan for the full day, and leave at dawn.
From Las Vegas: Highway 395 North, then 120 or 140 depending on the season. Check Tioga Pass if you're traveling between May and October.
In every case, book your lodging well in advance; summer demand far exceeds supply. Our Where to Stay guide covers options in and around the park. To plan your days once you arrive, our Itinerary and Trip Length page offers plans suited to the time you have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airport should I fly into to get to Yosemite?
The closest airport to Yosemite is Fresno Yosemite International (FAT), about a 1.5-hour drive from the valley. From France, San Francisco remains the most direct option, with nonstop flights from Paris; from there, plan on another 3.5 to 4 hours by car to the park.
Where should I fly into for Yosemite?
The best airport depends on where you're coming from: Fresno (FAT) for the shortest approach, San Francisco (SFO) if you're coming from France thanks to nonstop flights, or Los Angeles (LAX) if your road trip starts in Southern California.
When is the best time to visit Yosemite?
The best time to visit Yosemite depends on your priorities, including crowds, access to Tioga Road, and snowy landscapes. Our When to Visit page covers these factors in detail, season by season.
How long do I need to visit Yosemite?
Plan on at least 2 to 3 days to explore the valley and a few trails. Our Itinerary and Trip Length page offers ready-made plans based on how much time you have.