Step Right Into Your Vacation From Utah Airports

Topographically speaking, it looks like it’s a quick hop from one gorgeous Utah backdrop to another. But when you’re out West, everything is bigger — and farther — than it looks. And while we love a good road trip, sometimes it’s nicer to spend the most time at your destination, not driving to it. This vacation, instead of spending hours in the car, take a quick flight to one of Utah’s regional airports. It’s like having a secret shortcut.

International Flights

Salt Lake

Before you head to the naturally scenic spots of the state, you’ll likely first land at Salt Lake International Airport, the largest of the Utah airports. In fact, it’s considered the 70th busiest in the world, serving more than 22 million passengers each year. Most major airlines fly here, for both domestic and international flights, including:

• American Airlines
• Aeromexico
• Air Canada
• Alaska
• Delta
• Eurowings Discover
• Frontier
• JetBlue
• KLM Royal Dutch
• Southwest
• United

The airport is a 10-minute drive to downtown Salt Lake City and about 40 minutes from several ski resorts. To get to your lodging — or around town — you can rent a car, take a rideshare or use Trax, Utah's public transit. 

Las Vegas

Harry Reid International Airport (formerly McCarran) near Las Vegas is also a great launching point to (sometimes literal) hot spots, especially for hitting the parks in southern Utah. Both Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon are less than four hours away — closer than the Salt Lake Airport. 

Regional Airports

St. George

Located in the southwestern corner of the state, the St. George Regional Airport has flights with three major U.S. airlines, all through regional carrier SkyWest.

• United: Denver, Los Angeles
• American: Phoenix, Dallas Fort Worth
• Delta: Salt Lake City

Private charter flights are also available here.

Once you arrive at the St. George, Utah, airport, you can rent a car — there are four national agencies on site — or arrange for a ride from a local taxi or rideshare service. Advance reservations are suggested if you have a late flight. From here, head to nearby Snow Canyon State Park or Zion National Park, both less than an hour away.

Cedar City

The Cedar City Regional Airport is about 3 miles from downtown Cedar City. It’s one of the smaller airports in Utah, with commercial flights only between Salt Lake City on SkyWest Airlines. The airport is also open to private aircraft.

Two car rental agencies are next to the airport, handy if you want to visit one of the several nearby attractions. If you don’t want to drive at all, you can hire a shuttle service to take you to the recreation points. Reservations are recommended.

• Cedar Breaks National Monument: 30 minutes
• Brian Head Resort: 45 minutes
• Bryce Canyon: 1.5 hours

Moab

The Canyonlands Regional Airport in Moab will get you close to all the recreation areas in southeastern Utah. It’s roughly 30 minutes to both Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park and just over an hour to San Rafael Swell. 

Redtail Air Connections offers both one-way and round-trip flights between Salt Lake City and Moab. In addition to Redtail Air, several private tour companies offer scenic flights over the parks.

Provo

The Provo Municipal Airport has several commercial flights, from California to Florida, with Allegiant and Breeze Airways. Provo, the third largest city in Utah, is about 45 minutes south of Salt Lake. If you’re flying in for a Brigham Young University football game, you’ll have time to stop by Brick Oven Pizza before heading over to LaVell Edwards Stadium — they’re both only 15 minutes away.

You can rent a vehicle without leaving the terminal, from either a national or local service. Without a car, you can still get around town by bus, or go as far north as Brigham City on Front Runner. Taxi service is also available from the airport.

Vernal Regional

If you’re visiting the Uinta Basin, Vernal Regional Airport is the closest commercial option. You can get there via Redtail Air, which offers one-way and round-trip flights between Vernal and Salt Lake City. The airport is about 3 miles outside of Vernal and less than an hour from Flaming Gorge. Rent a car and take in the unparalleled scenic drives, because in this case, they are part of the destination.

Ogden-Hinckley

Located about 40 minutes north of Salt Lake, the Ogden-Hinckley Airport has been in operation since 1928. Spirit and Frontier Airlines both offer flights between Ogden and Las Vegas. Utah-based Breeze Airways also provides air service to and from Orange County-Santa Ana California.

Once you’ve arrived, keep your Utah.com tab open to find the best places to visit while you’re here.