She created Wander In Arizona to share first-hand information about traveling to the many fantastic cities, trails, national parks, monuments and more as she continues to explore.
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Looking for the closest airport to Grand Canyon National Park? You are in the right place.
One of the most visited natural wonders in the world and the iconic landmark in Arizona, this magnificent national park is on every traveler’s bucket list, and it is no surprise.
Spanning 277 miles of the Colorado River, Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most beautiful landmarks in the United States, the majestic icon of Arizona and one of the natural wonders of the world that will sweep you off your feet with its spectacular beauty of the panoramas of the Canyons.
Most visitors to the Grand Canyon only visit the South Rim because it is easier to access and is open all year.
North Rim is further and difficult to access, drawing fewer crowds, and also closes during Winter.
Whether this is your first trip to the epic national park, or you are a frequent visitor looking to fly this time, in this post, I have covered the closest airports near Grand Canyon from both the north and the south rims, drive times and distances from each airport.
OTHER GUIDES TO PLAN YOUR TRIP TO GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
- 25 TOP SPOTS TO ENJOY THE BEST GRAND CANYON VIEWS
- A Complete Guide For Visiting Grand Canyon In Winter
- 12 Best Grand Canyon Sunrise Spots For Spectacular Views
- 15 Grand Canyon Sunset Spots To Enjoy the Stunning Spectacle
CLOSEST AIRPORT TO GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT(PHX)
Distance to Grand Canyon South Rim – 232 miles (3.5 hours)
Distance to Grand Canyon North Rim – 356 miles (6 hours)
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) is the closest airport to Grand Canyon South Rim and among the most popular airports preferred by people planning a trip to Grand Canyon National Park.
It is not a surprise since Phoenix is the capital of Arizona and usually is the first stop for many overseas visitors.
Phoenix Sky Airport, a massive and beautiful airport, is also one of the busiest in the world, with over 35 million visitors each year.
No matter where you’re coming from, it’ll be easy to find a flight to Phoenix.
The Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is an excellent option for budget flights with plenty of flight times, including nonstop flights from various cities.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International accommodates many non-stop flights of the most popular airlines, including Air Canada, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue Airways, British Airways, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, WestJet, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Mesa Airlines, Qatar Airways, United, Envoy Air, Sun Country Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International has three terminals, with plenty of dining establishments and shopping opportunities for visitors open 24/7.
If you plan your trip in advance and book your flights early, you have a better chance of finding a non-stop flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor at a reasonable price.
You can also find many cheap domestic flight options.
FROM PHOENIX SKY HARBOR AIRPORT TO GRAND CANYON
Take I-17 north to Flagstaff, I-40 west to Williams and AZ-64 to South Rim.
If you are heading to North Rim, take I-17 to Flagstaff, US-89, US-89A and AZ-67.
You can choose between rental vehicles, shuttles, taxis and public transportation from the airport to Grand Canyon.
Driving – Renting a car is the easiest option if you don’t have your own to get from Phoenix Airport to Grand Canyon.
One of my favourite drives in Arizona is the drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon from Phoenix Airport, beginning amidst the beautiful Sonoran Desert with its towering saguaro cacti.
As you continue on the interstate, soak the views of the ponderosa pine forests in the Verde River Valley as you read Flagstaff and head beyond to the Grand Canyon.
You can even spend overnight at the famous ghost town Jerome and admire the red rock mountains of Sedona on this route.
If you take the US-89 N, visit historic Whiskey Row in Prescott and many famous landmarks on Route 66 in Williams.
I like Discover Cars, and believe me, as a frequent traveler regularly renting cars from them, I recommend them for easy and quick online booking.
Thanks to their long list of car rental companies, you can easily compare the car types and prices before picking. They also sometimes offer pick up as well.
Check prices and book your car here at Discover Cars.
FLAGSTAFF PULLIAM AIRPORT(FLG)
- Distance to Grand Canyon South Rim – 90 miles (90 minutes)
- Distance to Grand Canyon North Rim – 215 miles (3.5 hours)
Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) is among the closest airports to Grand Canyon National Park South Rim you can arrive at.
It is 90 miles, taking 1 hour 30 minutes driving time from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport to Grand Canyon South Rim.
Get on I-40 to Williams, turn onto AZ-64 and follow the route to Grand Canyon National Park.
The distance from the airport to North Rim is about 212 miles and takes nearly 4 hours if you take US-89, US-89A and AZ-67.
Compared to Phoenix, Flagstaff is a smaller airport with a limited number of flights, though something that will make an impact if you are arriving from outside the United States.
For overseas visitors, the airfare will likely be more expensive, even if you book in advance.
If you are traveling from outside the US, it is best to fly directly into one of the cities Denver, Dallas Fort Worth and Phoenix, the only cities connecting to Flagstaff Airport.
If you do not mind the extra cost, Flagstaff Pulliam may be the closest airport to Grand Canyon AZ, for you, especially if you plan to explore Flagstaff and around in the north.
Out of these cities, if you are looking for pocket-friendly flights, it is best to fly into either Denver or Phoenix, as there are many frequent connections reasonably priced.
Some of the airlines that operate out of Flagstaff Pulliam are American Eagle, United Express and American Airlines through Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX, Denver International (DEN) and Dallas Ft. Worth (DFW).
FROM FLAGSTAFF PULLIAM AIRPORT TO GRAND CANYON
You can choose between rental vehicles, shuttles, taxis and public transportation from the airport to Grand Canyon.
Public Transport
If you are flying into Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, there are two public transport options if you prefer:
Amtrak Train leaves from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Village with two daily departures.
The Shuttle Bus takes 1 hour 45 minutes and is far more convenient.
Driving
Renting a car is the easiest option if you don’t have your own to get from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport to Grand Canyon.
I like Discover Cars, and believe me, as a frequent traveler regularly renting cars from them, I recommend them for easy and quick online booking.
Thanks to their long list of car rental companies, you can easily compare the car types and prices before picking. They also sometimes offer pick up as well.
Check prices and book your car here at Discover Cars.
LAS VEGAS McCARRAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT(LAS)
Distance to Grand Canyon South Rim – 275 miles (4 hours)
Distance to Grand Canyon North Rim – 275 miles (4 hours)
Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS), also known as Las Vegas Harry Reid Airport, is an excellent option for international travelers or individuals looking to check Las Vegas off their bucket list in addition to Grand Canyon, Arizona.
Las Vegas McCarran International Airport is the closest airport to Grand Canyon AZ for those arriving from most cities, including the neighbouring destinations or overseas.
It is the fifth busiest airport in North America and the tenth busiest in the world and offers nonstop flights from around the world covered by 30+ airlines.
Las Vegas Airport is the nearest major airport to North Rim, and like Phoenix Airport, you have many options in
domestic US flights as well as non-stop flights for international visitors.
Besides exploring Las Vegas and Grand Canyon National Park, you have many fantastic destinations that you can add to your itinerary, including Valley of Fire State Park, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell and Kanab, Utah.
Some of the airlines that operate out of Las Vegas McCarran International Airport include American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, Air Canada, KLM, Virgin, Spirit, Air France, Allegiant Air, JetBlue, United, Delta, EL AL, Korean Air, Qatar Airways and British Airways.
It also means you can easily find many cheaper flights traveling within the United States to reach Grand Canyon by air.
FROM LAS VEGAS AIRPORT TO GRAND CANYON
Driving – Renting a car is the easiest option to get from Las Vegas Airport to Grand Canyon.
Take US-93 to I-40 and AZ-64 to arrive at South Rim from Las Vegas McCarran Airport, which takes around 4 hours, covering about 280 miles.
If you plan to head to North Rim, you can take I-15, UT-59, AZ-389, US-89A and AZ67, taking nearly 5 hours if you drive non-stop.
I like Discover Cars, and believe me, as a frequent traveler regularly renting cars from them, I recommend them for easy and quick online booking.
Thanks to their long list of car rental companies, you can easily compare the car types and prices before picking. They also sometimes offer pick up as well.
Check prices and book your car here at Discover Cars.
SALT LAKE CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SLC)
- Distance to Grand Canyon South Rim – 514 miles (8.5 hours)
- Distance to Grand Canyon North Rim – 400 miles (6.5 hours)
Salt Lake Airport is not to be technically included in the list of closest airports near the Grand Canyon as it is the furthest on the list, needing a whole day to arrive at either of the Rims in the national park.
This is for those adventure seekers, especially if you are road-tripping in Arizona or the American Southwest, also covering Utah with the Grand Canyon.
Direct, non-stop international flights are limited.
Flight rates can be cheaper, but mostly if you fly from New York, Seattle, and similar bigger cities, whereas flying to Phoenix and Las Vegas is expensive(it is better to fly directly into either of these airports instead).
Some airlines offering direct and connecting flights to Salt Lake City Airport include Delta, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, SkyWest Airlines, KLM and Aeromexico.
FROM SALT LAKE CITY AIRPORT TO GRAND CANYON
You must take I-80 E, I-15 S and US-89 S to AZ-64 to reach Grand Canyon from Salt Lake City Airport.
CLOSEST AIRPORT TO GRAND CANYON(REGIONAL AIRPORTS)
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK AIRPORT(GCN)
Distance to Grand Canyon South Rim – 7 miles (10 minutes)
Distance to Grand Canyon North Rim – 215 miles (3 hours)
Grand Canyon National Park Airport is the closest airport to Grand Canyon, located only a few miles south of the entrance to Grand Canyon South Rim in Tusayan.
You can spend overnight in Tusayan since there are many hotels.
This state-owned airport is mainly used for small aircraft tours or private use, but a few scheduled commercial services are landing here from Las Vegas to the South Rim.
You can reach North Rim via Desert View Road, US-89, US-89A and AZ-67.
As expected though, these flights run by tour companies are expensive.
If you want to indulge or fly luxury, you can charter a plane from Las Vegas, Phoenix, Flagstaff or Sedona to the Grand Canyon Airport on the South Rim.
PRESCOTT REGIONAL AIRPORT(PRC)
Distance to Grand Canyon South Rim – 119 miles (2 hours)
Distance to Grand Canyon North Rim – 300 miles (5 hours)
Prescott Regional Airport, Ernest A. Love Field is a public-use airport 8 miles north of Prescott, in Yavapai County.
Prescott is the second closest commercial airport to the Grand Canyon.
Although not as huge as Phoenix or Las Vegas Airports and there is no international connection, the central location of Prescott makes it the closest airport to Grand Canyon AZ.
Especially if you plan to explore some or most major attractions around Prescott including Sedona or Flagstaff, Prescott may be a suitable option.
Great Lake Airlines offers connections to Prescott from Los Angeles, Denver, Moab, Page or Kingman.
United Airlines offers only direct flights from Los Angeles and Denver to Prescott.
FROM PRESCOTT AIRPORT TO GRAND CANYON
Also, unlike Flagstaff Airport there is no direct shuttle or train to take you to the Grand Canyon.
You can rent a car and drive directly to the Grand Canyon, which I highly recommend as it is convenient and allows you to extend your itinerary, covering more destinations on your road trip.
The South Rim is around 130 miles and takes about 3 hours, while the North Rim is about 300 miles and involves a 5-hour drive.
I like Discover Cars, and believe me, as a frequent traveler regularly renting cars from them, I recommend them for easy and quick online booking.
Check prices and book your car here at Discover Cars.
Another option to reach the Grand Canyon from Prescott Airport is to taxi to Williams, AZ.
From there you can buy a ticket for the Grand Canyon Railway, one of the most scenic railway journeys in Arizona treating you to stunning landscapes.
ST. GEORGE REGIONAL AIRPORT(SGU)
Distance to Grand Canyon South Rim – 274 miles (5 hours)
Distance to Grand Canyon North Rim – 151 miles (2.5 hours)
St. George Regional Airport is a city-owned airport in St. George, Washington County in Utah.
St George Regional Airport is the closest airport to Grand Canyon if you are visiting North Rim as you can reach within 3 hours from the airport.
SkyWest Airlines and Delta Airlines are the only 2 airlines that fly to St George Airport.
It is an ideal choice to choose this as the closest airport to Grand Canyon if you are flying to Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Denver, and Dallas Fort Worth.
Another advantage of flying into this airport is you can add Bryce Canyon, Zion, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend and Monument Valley among the other destinations to explore on your trip to Arizona.
SEDONA AIRPORT
Distance to Grand Canyon South Rim – 119 miles (2 hours)
Distance to Grand Canyon North Rim – 239 miles (3.5 hours)
Sedona Airport (KSEZ), located on top of a Tabletop Mesa five hundred feet above Sedona and just 2 miles west of Sedona, seems to be the closest airport to Sedona AZ, right?
But unfortunately, it is not as there are no commercial airlines offering flights in and out of Sedona.
Sedona Airport only allows private planes to fly into the airport, making it too expensive for most people!
I highly recommend visiting Sedona Airport for a few reasons – it is a vortex area, you can dine at the famous restaurant at the top called Mesa Grill Sedona and it is among the top places to admire the beautiful colors of Sedona sunset.
You can drive up the mesa, and also hike the desert trails surrounding the airport soaking in the splendid views of the red rock formations.
SO WHICH IS THE CLOSEST AIRPORT TO GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK?
Grand Canyon National Park Airport is the closest airport to Grand Canyon.
But despite being the closest, as I mentioned earlier, it’s only used for private aeroplanes and scenic helicopter tours over the Grand Canyon like this one.
If you are looking for a thrilling adventure, I highly recommend this helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon with many incredible reviews.
The second closest airport to Grand Canyon National Park is Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, 80 miles away and a 1.5-hour drive.
Flying to Flagstaff if you don’t want to rent a car. There is public transportation from Flagstaff Airport to the Grand Canyon
If you are looking for fewer connections and more affordable flights, and flying from outside the USA, the closest international airport to the Grand Canyon would be Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
But in my opinion, for an international visitor, Las Vegas offers the perfect overall solution with more inbound flights from many major cities around the world, its proximity to both Rims and many other fantastic places to visit between Vegas and the Canyon.
