Asheville is a lovely destination for a road trip, but we can’t all be lucky enough to live within driving distance of this beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains town. If you’re hoping to visit from farther away, then the airport is your best bet.
That leaves the question of which airport, of course. There are quite a few that serve Asheville, and it helps to know all your choices. If you like driving, you can fly into one that’s more remote and rent a car. If you just want to see the main sites, then it behooves you to find the closest option.
Let’s take a look at the main airports and their benefits. But first, a quick note about the weather.
Asheville, NC: A Destination for All Seasons
Many people wonder if it’s safe to fly into mountainous areas in the winter. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, though, it’s perfectly safe: “Winter flying is not particularly hazardous if the pilot will use a little extra caution and exercise good judgment in analyzing weather situations,” the FAA explains in a report.
As Asheville is a gorgeous place in wintertime, you shouldn’t let the potential weather deter you. Skiing, sledding, hiking, and snowshoeing are just a few of the wintertime activities visitors love. With holiday celebrations galore and lots of places to cozy up with a hot chocolate, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Asheville.
Of course, the area is just as beautiful in spring, summer, and fall. These are glorious times to take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, especially fall, when you’ll see mile after mile of gold and scarlet.
Airports Near Asheville: The Breakdown
Although Asheville Regional Airport is the obvious choice if you’re just looking for proximity, there are plenty of other ways to get to Asheville from surrounding airfields. Let’s take a look.
AVL Airport – 20 minutes from downtown Asheville
61 Terminal Dr #1, Fletcher, NC 28732
If your goal is to get straight to Asheville, then Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is the quickest way to do it. It’s located 17 miles away from town, and you face a roughly half-hour trip in order to get there.
This is the best airport to fly into if you’re coming to Asheville for a specific reason, such as to see family or attend an event. If you’ll be spending the majority of your time in town and don’t care about experiencing the surrounding countryside, you may as well get as close as possible via air travel.
The airport is small but comfortable. Bring snacks, drinks, and entertainment with you when you fly out, as there’s not much to choose from.
Greenville/Spartanburg Airport – 2 hours from downtown Asheville
2000 GSP Dr, Greer, SC 29651
The next closest option, Greenville/Spartanburg Airport is 77 miles away, about an hour and a half by car. The bulk of the drive happens along I-26, which isn’t the most scenic of roadways but does have some nice overlooks and picnic places along the way. You’ll get to see a bit of Tennessee on your way, so that’s nice for people who aren’t from the area.
This airport is neither tiny nor huge. There’s a Wolfgang Puck restaurant, so if you’ve got a bit of extra time before you fly out, you might want to give it a try.
McGhee Tyson Airport – 3 hours from downtown Asheville
2055 Alcoa Hwy, Alcoa, TN 37701
Going on double the distance from Asheville as Greenville/Spartanburg, McGhee Tyson Airport is 128 miles away in Knoxville. It is sometimes colloquially called Knoxville Airport, so don’t be confused if you hear it referred to as such.
It will take you about 2.5-3 hours to get to Asheville from Knoxville, most of it along I-40 and US-25, both of which are scenic in places. However, if you’re willing to spend about 3 hours and 10 minutes instead, you can take the scenic route along US-441, which meets up with the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport – 2 hours from downtown Asheville
5501 Josh Birmingham Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28208
Also 128 miles away, in a different direction, lies the Charlotte Airport. It will take you about 2 to 2 and a half hours to get to Asheville if you one of a few basic freeway routes. However, you can also take scenic highways through wilderness.
Note that this airport is international, so there is lots to see and do while you wait for your flight out. It’s also an easy place to pick up a rental car, making it a nice choice for travelers who want ease combined with some driving time.
Driving Options
Many of the driving routes will (or can) bring you into town via the Blue Ridge Parkway. This 469-mile stretch of highway is a national treasure, making for an enjoyable drive any time of year, for any distance. If you’re coming all the way to Asheville, it’s a good idea to put the Parkway on your itinerary.
If you want to have a car with you during your visit, make sure to make arrangements ahead of time. Cars aren’t always available at the airport when you fly in, especially during the busiest times of year (for instance, the winter holidays or the height of summer). It’s easy to arrange pickup and drop-off points through online car rental sites, so do your due diligence and plan ahead.
Top Tips for Planning Your Asheville Visit Today
As you can see, there are plenty of options when it comes to visiting Asheville! There are just a few other tips to keep in mind:
- Many of the airports near Asheville are small regional ones. Don’t plan on having a lot of shopping and dining options there; bring snacks and water bottles.
- Book your hotel or cabin as early as you can. This will get you the best deal, but more importantly, will ensure that the best places don’t fill up.
- If you’re going to price shop for flights or hotels, do so in incognito mode. That way your browser can’t store cookies that indicate your interest, which may lead to price hikes.
But the best tip of all? Come to Asheville, otherwise you’ll miss out on one of the most entertaining, artsiest, foodiest cities in the nation and that just won’t do. Can’t wait to see you!
