Yellowstone's Airports: Which One Should You Fly Into?

Yellowstone National Park is located in the northwestern corner of Wyoming. The closest airport to the park is Yellowstone Airport (WYS), which is just 3 miles from the West Entrance. However, it is a small airport, and travellers may prefer to fly into a larger airport such as Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), or Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA). Bozeman is the closest international airport to the park and is also the busiest airport in Montana. It is located 90 miles from Yellowstone and provides year-round service to two of the park's entrances. Jackson Hole Airport is located inside Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone's neighbour to the south, and is about an hour's drive to Yellowstone's South Entrance.

Yellowstone Airport (WYS) is the closest airport to Yellowstone National Park

If you would prefer to fly into a larger airport, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is the closest option. It is around 90 miles from Yellowstone's North Entrance, which is about a 2-hour drive. Bozeman is Montana's busiest airport, so you will find more flight options and cheaper prices. It is also the closest international airport to the park.

Other larger airports near Yellowstone National Park include Salt Lake City, Idaho Falls Regional Airport, and Jackson Hole Airport. These airports are further away from the park, but flights are often more affordable.

When planning your trip to Yellowstone National Park, consider which areas you want to visit and the best way to get there. The North Entrance to the park may not always be open, so it is important to check before planning your trip.

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is the closest major airport

While there are smaller regional airports closer to Yellowstone, such as Yellowstone Airport (WYS) and West Yellowstone Airport, these airports tend to be more expensive due to their proximity to the park. Additionally, the flights into these smaller airports may involve smaller planes that some people may find uncomfortable. Bozeman offers a good balance between proximity to the park and the availability of more affordable flight options.

If you choose to fly into Bozeman, you can rent a car and drive to Yellowstone National Park. The drive offers scenic views, especially if you take the route from Bozeman to West Yellowstone, which passes through the western edge of the park. This drive will take approximately 1.5 hours. From West Yellowstone, you can continue to Jackson, which is about a 3-hour drive, and explore Grand Teton National Park.

When planning your trip to Yellowstone, it is important to consider the specific areas of the park you want to visit and the time of year you are travelling. The North Entrance to Yellowstone may not always be open, which can impact your choice of airport and travel time. Additionally, winter travel to the park requires extra planning due to road closures and limited services.

By taking these factors into account and choosing the airport that best suits your travel plans, you can ensure a smooth journey to Yellowstone National Park.

Jackson Hole Airport is a small, busy airport with affordable flights

The South Entrance of Yellowstone National Park is best accessed via Jackson Hole Airport, which is located inside Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone's neighbouring park to the south. It's about an hour's drive to Yellowstone's South Entrance. Jackson Hole Airport is a small airport, but it is much busier than West Yellowstone Airport, so flights tend to be more affordable.

Jackson Hole Airport is located in the heart of the Teton Range, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. It is a small airport with a single runway and a single terminal building. Despite its small size, it is a busy airport, serving over 500,000 passengers annually. The airport offers a range of amenities, including restaurants, shops, and rental car services.

Compared to other regional airports serving Yellowstone, such as West Yellowstone Airport or Yellowstone Airport (WYS), Jackson Hole Airport is a more affordable option. These smaller airports often charge a premium price for their proximity to the park. By contrast, Jackson Hole Airport, while a little further away, offers more competitive pricing.

Additionally, Jackson Hole Airport provides easy access to Grand Teton National Park, which is located just north of the airport. This gives visitors the opportunity to explore two of Wyoming's national parks in one trip. The airport is also conveniently located near the town of Jackson, offering a range of accommodation and dining options for visitors.

When planning a trip to Yellowstone, it is important to consider the specific areas of the park you wish to visit, as well as the availability of flights and rental cars, which can fluctuate seasonally. Booking well in advance, especially during the peak season from June to August, is recommended to secure the best prices and availability.

Idaho Falls Regional Airport is a good option for access to Grand Teton National Park

If you're planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park, you'll want to consider the best airport to fly into to suit your needs. While the closest airport to Yellowstone is West Yellowstone Airport, it is small and therefore usually more expensive. If you're looking for a good option that also gives you access to Grand Teton National Park, then consider Idaho Falls Regional Airport.

Idaho Falls Airport (IDA) is about a 2-hour drive from Grand Teton National Park. This airport is sometimes cheaper to fly into than Jackson Hole, and it still gets you close to the park. It is serviced by several major airlines and has connections to larger cities in the area, such as Salt Lake City, Denver, and Las Vegas. The drive from Idaho Falls to Grand Teton takes you through the small town of Victor, ID, and up and over the mountain on Highway 22. While some choose to stay in Victor to save on lodging prices, be aware that this will mean driving up and down a steep mountain pass each day to get to the park.

If you're planning to visit both Grand Teton and Yellowstone on the same trip, you might consider flying into Idaho Falls and then driving the 2 hours to the West Entrance of Yellowstone. This route takes you past Big Sky and through the western edge of Yellowstone down to West Yellowstone, offering a scenic drive. You can also drive from Idaho Falls to the north entrance of Grand Teton, which is about a 2-hour drive from the West Yellowstone Airport.

The Idaho Falls Regional Airport is a good option if you're looking for a balance between convenience and cost. It offers a good alternative to the smaller, more expensive airports closer to the parks, while still putting you within a 2-hour drive of Grand Teton National Park.

Salt Lake City is the most economic option, but it is further away

If you're looking for the most economical option to fly to Yellowstone National Park, consider Salt Lake City. While it is further away than other airports, it can offer significant savings. For instance, you could save over $1000 per person compared to flying into West Yellowstone, Cody, or Jackson. Additionally, Salt Lake City is a bigger international airport, so it may be a better option if you're travelling from outside the country. You'll also find more rental car options at Salt Lake City Airport, which is a bonus if you plan to rent a car during your trip.

That said, the trade-off is the increased travel time to reach Yellowstone. The drive from Salt Lake City to Jackson is approximately 4.5 to 5 hours, and then it's another hour from Jackson to Yellowstone's South Entrance. However, if you're looking to visit multiple national parks, flying into Salt Lake City can be a great choice. Besides Yellowstone, you can easily add on Utah's national parks, such as Zion and Arches, which are about 4 hours from Salt Lake City.

If you're primarily focused on visiting Yellowstone and want to minimise your travel time, other airports closer to the park are worth considering. The closest airport to Yellowstone is the small Yellowstone Airport (WYS), just 2-3 miles from the West Entrance. However, due to its size, flights into WYS can be more expensive. Another option is the Idaho Falls Regional Airport, which is a 2.5-hour drive from the West Entrance and also offers access to Grand Teton National Park.

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is a larger airport located about 90 miles from Yellowstone's North Entrance, which is a 2-hour drive. It is Montana's busiest airport, offering more flight options and often cheaper prices. It also provides year-round service to two entrances of Yellowstone National Park.

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