Dollywood is a renowned theme park located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. When you decide to fly to this fun destination, finding the right airport is essential for a smooth trip. 

McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville is the closest airport to Dollywood, located roughly 45 to 60 minutes away. It offers direct flights from major domestic carriers such as Delta, American, and United. However, you can also fly into alternative airports such as Asheville, Chattanooga, or Nashville if you want lower fares or different flight schedules. 

This simple guide outlines all nearby airports, available airlines, ground transport options, and driving times. Read on to find the best flight option for your upcoming vacation and start your trip without any unnecessary hassle.

What is the Closest Airport to Dollywood?

The closest airport to Dollywood is McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Alcoa/Knoxville, Tennessee. The airport is about 35 to 40 miles away, and the drive to the theme park in Pigeon Forge takes roughly 45 to 60 minutes. It offers nonstop flights from major and low-cost carriers, including American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Allegiant, Avelo, and Frontier. Have a look at the TYS details below.

Airport Name	McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
Airport Address	2055 Alcoa Hwy, Alcoa, TN 37701, United States
Contact Number	+1 865-342-3000
Official Website	https://flyknoxville.com/

Active Airlines at McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)

7 commercial passenger airlines currently operate out of McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville, Tennessee, offering nonstop domestic flights to a number of major hubs and holiday destinations throughout the United States.

• Allegiant Air
• Avelo Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines

Alternative Closest Airports to Dollywood, Tennessee

Although the primary commercial hub closest to Dollywood is McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), travelers seeking alternative airports farther away with different flight or pricing options can consider Asheville, Chattanooga, Tri-Cities, and more. You can find all the alternative airports below.

Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)

AVL is situated in Fletcher, North Carolina, about 80 to 90 miles southeast of Pigeon Forge, and is the 2nd-closest airport to Dollywood in Tennessee. The commute takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. It provides a scenic mountain drive and functions as a great alternative if you find better flight pricing or schedules than flying into Knoxville. Below is the contact info for Asheville Regional Airport.

Airport Name	Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
Airport Address	61 Terminal Dr #1, Fletcher, NC 28732
Contact Number	(828) 684-2226
Official Website	https://flyavl.com/

Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA)

The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) is located southwest of the theme park (about 122 to 133 miles away). The drive takes roughly 2.5 hours via Interstate 75. This compact hub features just 8 gates. It is famously 100% solar powered, and security lines usually take under 20 minutes. Airlines like Delta, American, and Allegiant serve this location. 

Airport Name	Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA)
Airport Address	1001 Airport Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Contact Number	(423) 855-2200
Official Website	https://www.flycha.com/

Nashville International Airport (BNA)

Nashville International Airport is located farther west in Tennessee and is roughly 177 miles from the theme park. Although BNA is not the airport closest to Dollywood, the drive takes only about 3 hours straight down Interstate 40. While the distance is much longer, BNA offers a massive selection of direct flights to and from domestic and international destinations that might offset the extended road trip. Check out the details below.

Airport Name	Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Airport Address	1 Terminal Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
Contact Number	(615) 275-1675
Official Website	https://flynashville.com/

Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (GKT)

Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport is located right in Sevierville, Tennessee. This local facility is just 13 miles from Dollywood. However, it is a small municipal airport meant strictly for private, charter, or general aviation aircraft rather than commercial airline services. So, if you need to fly private, get in touch with GKT.

Airport Name	Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (GKT)
Airport Address	134 Air Museum Way, Sevierville, TN 37862
Contact Number	(865) 453-8393
Official Website	https://www.gktairport.com/

Tri-Cities Airport (TRI)

The Tri-Cities Airport sits approximately 95 miles northeast of Dollywood and is another airport closest to Dollywood. The commute takes about 1.5 hours down Interstate 81. This regional facility provides an incredibly efficient experience, and security screening rarely has any major delays. American, Delta, and Allegiant airlines serve this airport. 

Airport Name	Tri-Cities Airport (TRI)
Airport Address	2525 TN-75 Suite 301, Blountville, TN 37617
Contact Number	(423) 325-6000
Official Website	https://flytri.com/

How to Get To & From the McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) to Dollywood?

Finding the closest airport to Dollywood is not the difficult part but figuring out how to get there is. Well, traveling between McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) and Dollywood in Pigeon Forge is approximately 34 miles. The drive takes roughly 55 to 60 minutes each way via major regional highways, making a vehicle the most practical mode of transportation.

Transportation Options

There are multiple hassle-free transport options to reach the closest major airport to Dollywood. Have a look at the list below to learn more.

• Rental Cars: Most users on Reddit agree that renting a vehicle directly at TYS is the most reliable and cost-effective choice since public transit is not available.
• Private Shuttles: Pre-booked services like Smoky Bear Shuttle provide direct, door-to-door airport transfers for individuals and groups.
• Taxis and Rideshares: Uber and Lyft are available for airport pickups, but finding a return rideshare from Pigeon Forge can be difficult and expensive ($150–$190).
• Driving Yourself: Driving your own vehicle from McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) to Dollywood takes about 45 to 60 minutes, offering complete flexibility and convenience throughout your trip.

Final Thoughts!

McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) is the closest airport to Dollywood, but if you check out some of the other airports nearby, you may be able to save money or discover better flight times. After you have chosen your airport, it is a good idea to book a reliable car rental or shuttle in order to finish your trip. Once your travel arrangements are in place, you can then concentrate on having a great time at the park.

Have a wonderful journey!

FAQs