The most convenient and popular airport for visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), located in Alcoa, Tennessee, just south of Knoxville. From McGhee Tyson, it is approximately a 45-to-60-minute drive to the primary gateway cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. TYS is served by several major airlines, including American, Delta, United, and Allegiant, offering direct flights from hubs like Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, and Chicago. For those looking for more flight options or potentially lower fares, Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) in North Carolina is another excellent choice, located about 1.5 hours from the Cherokee entrance of the park. Larger international hubs like Nashville International (BNA) or Charlotte Douglas (CLT) are also options, though they require a significantly longer drive of 3 to 4 hours to reach the mountains. For most 2026 travelers, McGhee Tyson remains the gold standard for proximity, providing a modern, easy-to-navigate terminal that allows you to rent a car and be deep in the scenic beauty of the Smokies in under an hour after landing.