Cheap flights to Kalispell, MT

With the vast majesty of Glacier National Park located just 20 miles away, Kalispell in northern Montana has become a gateway for adventurers seeking the Rocky Mountains and all things wilderness. Despite the presence of the mountains, Kalispell is an attractive settlement in its own right, resplendent in vintage Italianate architecture that evokes vivid statements of its Wild West past. Kalispell has also become a fixture in the Montana microbrew circuit, with a 10,000 sq.ft craft brewery on the corner of Fourth and Main streets having fast become a big attraction since it first opened its doors back in 2012.  

Scrape beneath the surface, and you will discover a handful of art galleries and museums, as well as theaters and music events. Shopping is big business in Kalispell, largely due to the city’s lack of sales tax, and visitors are presented with a wide range of boutique stores selling a wealth of local arts and crafts. Looking further afield, the city is surrounded by a number of wineries and distilleries, as well as numerous opportunities for outdoor excursions. Fly fishing is a popular pastime, as is bird watching.

Best Time to Fly to Kalispell, MT

Due to the city’s proximity to Glacier National Park, it would be wise to visit Kalispell when the weather permits access to the peaks. Accordingly, plan a visit between May and October when average temperatures range between 64F and 80F, and the snow is long gone. Additionally, the summer sees the park’s celebrity animals at their most active, with grizzly bears, wolves and moose all having been reported by visitors.

Special events are held outside the peak tourist months, with the Cinch Bucking Horse Championships bringing all the fun of the rodeo to downtown Kalispell in early October, while the foodie heaven, Festival of Flavors, takes place the previous week. 

Getting around Kalispell, MT

Due to its intimate size, Kalispell is a city to be discovered on foot. Bus services also run throughout the city, with services offering both single tickets as well as return.

Kalispell, MT Travel Information

• While beautiful, Glacier National Park is an unforgiving wilderness. Never approach a wild animal, and always be sure to report to a ranger when you enter the park, detailing precise plans of where you plan to be and when you plan to leave.

Kalispell, MT airport overview

How long are flights to Glacier National Park International Airport?

Glacier National Park is one of the most scenic destinations in the continental U.S., featuring five majestic regions of mountains, forests, lakes, and streams. The park is so vast that a portion of it extends into Canada.

The easiest way to get to this natural wonder is via Glacier Park International Airport, located approximately 30 miles from the park entrance in nearby Kalispell, Montana.

The airport serves multiple major city airports throughout the U.S., including Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas-Fort Worth, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago, and Atlanta; Portland, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Oakland, and Los Angeles flights into Glacier National Park Airport are seasonal.

Airlines offering flights into Glacier National Park International Airport are limited to Delta, United, Alaska, and Allegiant.

Flight times vary by each respective departure city’s proximity to Kalispell. Seattle flights are the shortest, averaging around 90 minutes; Portland flight lengths are similar but can range from three to 4h 37m if a connecting flight is needed.

Salt Lake City flight times range from 1h 45m to 4h 30m; Denver flights average between 2h 20m to just 5h 25m with one connecting flight. Flight lengths out of Minneapolis are also similar, averaging between 2h 55m and 6h 25m.

California departure city travel times are longer, in general. San Francisco/Oakland flights average between 4h 40m and 6h 35m; Los Angeles flights can take just over four hours to just under six hours, with one required connecting flight.

Phoenix flights average between 2h 36m to 5h 30m.

The longest flight times are out of Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta. Atlanta flights average from 6h 14m to almost 8h; Dallas flights are slightly shorter, averaging between 5h 44m to just over six hours, but can take over hours depending upon the carrier.

Where can you get direct flights to Glacier National Park International Airport from?

Several cities offer direct flights to Glacier National Park International Airport, including Seattle, Portland, Denver, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis and Phoenix.

Most nonstop flights are offered by Alaska Airlines, but the direct flight offered out of Phoenix is via Allegiant Airlines. This flight is only available from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.

How do you get from Glacier National Park International Airport to the park?

The best way to get from the airport to the park and the surrounding areas is by car. Glacier National Park International Airport is home to multiple major rental companies, featuring kiosks, pick up and drop off services for Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National/Alamo, and Thrifty.

The airport also features multiple shuttle services; to ensure timely pickup and drop off, travelers should make arrangements with shuttle carriers before their flight dates.

What are some things to do in Glacier National Park?

With over 1,583 square miles of wilderness spanning two countries, Glacier National Park is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise and more.

The park features five regions, each with its own unique places to explore, from kayaking, whitewater rafting and zip-lining to rock climbing, horseback riding, hiking and more.

For those who prefer more urban adventures, the nearby town of Whitefish is one of Northwest Montana’s most popular year-round destinations, featuring everything from fantastic shops, restaurants and craft breweries to museums and art galleries. Whitefish is also home to a 36-hole golf course, with greens for every skill level.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to the Glacier National Park International Airport?

Passports are not necessary for any flights within the United States. U.S. citizens only need a photo ID, typically a state-issued driver’s license, to board commercial flights.

Since the park also encompasses Waterton Lakes National Park, travelers planning to visit the entire park will need to bring a passport, as well as a photo ID. Waterton Lakes National Park is located just across the U.S./Canada international border, in the province of Alberta.