Rapid City's Airport: Does It Exist?

Rapid City, South Dakota, has an airport named the Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP). The airport is located nine miles southeast of the city and is categorized as a small-hub primary commercial service facility. It offers a variety of nonstop flights and is the closest commercial airport to Mount Rushmore. The airport has been serving the area since 1924, with the current terminal building opening in 1988.

Rapid City Regional Airport's location

Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is located approximately nine miles southeast of Rapid City, South Dakota, in Pennington County, United States. The airport is situated at 4550 Terminal Road, Suite 102, and covers an area of 1,655 acres, with an elevation of 3,203 feet.

The Rapid City area has had a municipal airport since 1924. The first airport was located near the railroad tracks along East North Street and was dedicated as Halley Field Airport in 1929. In 1937, the Rapid City Municipal Airport was established at the current site of Ellsworth Air Force Base. The airport was later relocated to its present site in 1950 and renamed Rapid City Regional Airport in 1980. A new terminal was opened in November 1988, which underwent a $20.5 million expansion and renovation in 2012.

Rapid City Regional Airport is the closest commercial airport to Mount Rushmore, approximately 31.7 miles away, and is the main gateway to the Black Hills. It offers a variety of nonstop flights to major hubs, providing convenient travel options to and from Rapid City. The largest airline carrier at the airport is United Airlines, with top destinations including Denver, Minneapolis, and Chicago.

The airport features a range of amenities and services, including dining and retail options, ATMs, postal services, shoeshine, recharging stations, and Wi-Fi. There are also various parking options available, such as short-term and long-term parking. Transportation to and from the airport is convenient, with options like taxis, car rentals, and shuttles. Additionally, there are numerous hotel and motel accommodations within a nine-mile radius of the airport.

Flight prices

Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is located nine miles southeast of Rapid City, in Pennington County, South Dakota. The airport offers a variety of nonstop flights to major hubs across the United States.

According to Expedia, one-way flights from Rapid City Regional Airport can start as low as $54, while round-trip flights can be found for $117. For example, a round trip from Rapid City to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with Sun Country Airlines was priced at $117. However, prices can fluctuate, and similar trips a few weeks later can cost around $124 to $144.

KAYAK, another travel search engine, provides some additional data on flight prices. On average, a flight to Rapid City costs around $334. However, the cheapest price found on KAYAK in the last two weeks was $42 for a flight departing from Orlando Sanford International Airport. KAYAK also suggests that the cheapest month to fly from the United States to Rapid City is August, and it is recommended to book at least one week in advance to get a below-average price.

Some specific examples of round-trip flight deals mentioned on KAYAK include:

• Phoenix-Mesa Gateway to Rapid City for $125
• Chicago O'Hare International to Rapid City for $354
• Dallas/Fort Worth to Rapid City for $381

Additionally, direct flights to Rapid City are available through airlines such as American, Delta, or United Airlines.

Transport options to the airport

Rapid City does indeed have an airport. The Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is located nine miles southeast of Rapid City, in Pennington County, South Dakota. The airport has been in operation since 1924, with the current terminal building opening in 1988.

Bus

The cheapest way to get to and from the airport is by bus. Open Plains Transit operates a bus service from the airport to Rapid City SD Monument Health Hospital twice a week. The journey takes approximately 15 minutes and costs $6–10. This is also the fastest way to get to and from the airport without a car.

Taxi

Taxi services are available at the airport, with companies such as Rapid Cab providing transportation. Taxi services offer a convenient way to get to and from the airport, especially if you have a lot of luggage or are travelling with a group.

Ridesharing

Ridesharing services such as Uber are also available at the airport. With Uber, you can choose from different ride options, including UberX, Uber Comfort, and UberXL, depending on your needs and budget. The Uber app allows you to get accurate step-by-step directions to meet your driver outside the airport. Wait times may depend on demand, traffic conditions, and the type of ride requested.

Driving

If you prefer to drive yourself, the airport is easily accessible by car. The road distance from Rapid City to the airport is approximately 10.8 miles. Driving can offer flexibility and convenience, especially if you have your own vehicle or a rental car.

Rental Cars

The airport also has a rental car wing, providing easy access to rental car services for travellers who prefer to drive during their stay in Rapid City.

The airport's history

Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is a public-use airport located about nine miles southeast of Rapid City, in Pennington County, South Dakota. It is the closest commercial airport to Mount Rushmore, located approximately 31.7 miles away by driving distance, and is the main gateway airport to the Black Hills. The airport covers 1,655 acres at an elevation of 3,203 feet and has two runways.

The Rapid City area has had a municipal airport since 1924. The first airport was situated near the railroad tracks along East North Street and was later dedicated as Halley Field Airport in 1929. In 1937, the Rapid City Municipal Airport was established at the current location of Ellsworth Air Force Base. The airport was relocated to its present site in 1950 and renamed Rapid City Regional Airport in 1980. A new terminal was opened in November 1988, which underwent a $20.5 million expansion and renovation in 2012. The original 1950 terminal was demolished in 2016.

Since 2020, several destinations have been cut from the airport's schedule and have not returned. Most of these routes were seasonal summer flights offered by various airlines. As of 2022, there is no public transit to the airport, and the nearest Rapid City Rapid Ride bus stop is over six miles away. However, ridesharing options such as Lyft, Wridz, and Uber, as well as taxi services from Rapid Cab, are available.

Delta Air Lines, Allegiant Air, American Eagle, and United Express are among the airlines that have served or currently serve the airport. Delta, for instance, announced the return of the Atlanta route, beginning on May 24, 2025.

The airport's facilities

Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is located nine miles southeast of Rapid City, in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States. The airport covers 1,655 acres at an elevation of 3,203 feet and features two runways. The airport is categorized as a small-hub primary commercial service facility and serves as the main gateway to the Black Hills, offering a variety of nonstop flights to major hubs.

The airport's current terminal building opened in 1988 and underwent a $20.5 million expansion and renovation in 2012. The renovation included the addition of three jet bridges and one boarding gate, an expanded security area, a new rental car wing, additional seating, larger restrooms, modernized phone and data systems, improved food service and shopping areas, a rooftop patio, and energy-efficient windows and exterior repairs.

In terms of transportation options, the nearest Rapid City Rapid Ride bus stop is over six miles away. However, ridesharing services such as Lyft, Wridz, and Uber are available, and taxis can be arranged through Rapid Cab.

Frequently asked questions