Airports Near Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Finding the right airport for a Pigeon Forge trip has gotten complicated with all the options flying around. I planned a family vacation to the Smokies last spring and spent way too long comparing flights, drive times, and rental car prices before I finally figured out what actually made sense. Let me save you some of that headache.

McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) Is Your Best Bet

Probably should have led with this: McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville is the closest major airport to Pigeon Forge, sitting about 40 miles away. The drive takes roughly an hour, give or take depending on traffic through Sevierville. I made the drive on a Saturday morning and it was smooth. On a Friday afternoon in peak tourist season? Add another 20 to 30 minutes, easy.

TYS has flights on several major airlines with daily service to cities like Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, and Dallas. It is not a huge airport, which is actually nice. I got my rental car and was on the road within 20 minutes of landing. Uber and Lyft both operate out of TYS as well, though I would not recommend ridesharing all the way to Pigeon Forge unless you really want to spend the money. A rental car gives you freedom to explore Gatlinburg, Cades Cove, and the rest of the area without being tethered to ride apps.

Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) as a Backup

Asheville Regional Airport in North Carolina is about 100 miles from Pigeon Forge, so you are looking at roughly a two-hour drive. That is noticeably farther than Knoxville, but there are reasons people choose it. The airport is smaller and tends to be less crowded, which means shorter lines and a more relaxed experience. Airlines like American, Delta, and United serve AVL with connections through their major hubs.

Here is the thing, though. The drive from Asheville to Pigeon Forge goes through the mountains, and it is genuinely beautiful. My wife and I did it once and stopped at a couple of overlooks along the way. If you are not in a rush and you enjoy scenic drives, AVL plus the mountain route is a pretty great way to start a vacation. Just watch the weather forecasts, because mountain roads and winter storms do not mix well. I learned that one the hard way when I hit fog so thick near the Tennessee border that I was crawling at 25 miles an hour.

What About Bigger Airports Farther Out?

If you cannot find a good fare into Knoxville or Asheville, there are larger airports worth considering:

Nashville International Airport (BNA) is about three and a half hours from Pigeon Forge. It has a massive flight network and competitive pricing. Some people fly into Nashville, spend a day or two there, and then drive east to the Smokies. Not a bad plan if you want to make it a two-destination trip.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is roughly four hours away but offers tons of flight options, especially on American Airlines. The drive crosses through some pretty countryside, though it is long enough that you will want to break it up.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world, so you will find flights from practically anywhere. But the drive to Pigeon Forge is about four to four and a half hours, and Atlanta traffic can tack on extra time before you even hit the highway. I would only choose ATL if the fare savings are significant or if you are already connecting through there anyway.

Trains and Buses: An Honest Assessment

I looked into Amtrak and bus options when planning my trip, mostly out of curiosity. The nearest Amtrak stations are in Knoxville and Asheville, and from either one, you still need a car to get to Pigeon Forge. Greyhound and Megabus have routes that pass through nearby cities, but the schedules are limited and the last-mile problem remains.

Combining a flight with a bus or train connection can sometimes save money, but it adds hours and complexity. For most people, flying into TYS and renting a car is the simplest approach by a wide margin.

Or Just Drive the Whole Way

That’s what makes Pigeon Forge endearing as a destination, actually. It is accessible enough that a lot of families just load up the car and go. Interstate 40 and US-441 are the main routes into the area, and depending on where you live, the drive might be quicker and cheaper than flying. Parking in Pigeon Forge is generally not an issue, as most attractions, hotels, and restaurants have their own lots.

I grew up taking road trips to the Smokies from a few states away, and there is something to be said for rolling down the windows when you hit those mountain roads and smelling the pine trees. Not every trip needs to involve an airport. But when it does, McGhee Tyson is the one I keep coming back to. It is close, it is easy, and it gets you to the cabin rental within an hour of touchdown.