Great Smoky Mountains from Fort Lauderdale, Oct 23–25: round trip from $290
We found round trips from Fort Lauderdale to the Great Smoky Mountains for $290 per person ($579 for two) for Oct 23–25, 2026, 2 nights, on F9 + G4 with 2 stops. That fare doesn't land until Saturday night, though, and the Allegiant nonstop is $526 per person. The forecast is overcast with highs of 74–79°F, and Sleep Inn & Suites near Sports World Blvd in Gatlinburg is $426 for the stay with breakfast.
The flight
$408 $290 per person, round trip
the typical fare on this route
$579 for two, taxes and fees included · F9 + G4 · 2 stops · 33h 33m
Out Fri, Oct 23, 9:58 PM – Sat, Oct 24, 8:50 PM · back Sun, Oct 25, 6:00 AM – Sun, Oct 25, 4:41 PM
| Airline | Per person | Stops | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| F9 + G4 | $290 | 2 stops | 33h 33m |
| Allegiant | $526 | nonstop | 2h 5m |
| Allegiant | $315 | 1 stop | 12h 46m |
Prices checked Oct 12, 2026, 8:23 PM EDT. Prices change; the binding price is the one on the booking site.
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Your trip for two
| For two | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two | $579 |
| Sleep Inn & Suites near Sports World Blvd, 2 nights | $426 |
| Trip total for two | $1,005 |
Regular: $1,242 You pay: $1,005 Saved: $237
the typical fare on this route.
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Why go now
At $290 per person round trip, this fare is $118 below the typical fare on this route. The median of our earlier checks is $408, and the trip carries a 28% below typical tag. Across the 12 offers we saw, fares ran from $290 to $559 per person. Here's the catch: the $290 fare leaves Friday at 9:58 PM and lands in Knoxville Saturday at 8:50 PM, and the return leaves Sunday at 6:00 AM. If you want an actual weekend, the Allegiant nonstop is $526 per person. It leaves Friday at 6:33 PM and takes 2h 5m. Late October is peak fall foliage in the Smokies, so it's also one of the busiest weekends of the year. The forecast shows highs of 74–79°F and rain chances from 13% to 26%. It's a good weekend for leaf-peeping, hiking and a day at Dollywood.
The kind of trip this is
This is a nature weekend in the mountains: ridge drives, waterfall hikes, a chance to see black bears, and Dollywood next door for anyone who wants rides. It suits couples or friends who like fresh air and don't mind early starts, and families can make it work too. Days move at an easy pace and nights are quiet, with Gatlinburg's walkable streets for dinner.
Weather in Great Smoky Mountains, Oct 23–25
Highs 74–79°F, little rain expected
| Day | High | Low | Rain chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 23 | 79 °F | 53 °F | 13% |
| Sat, Oct 24 | 77 °F | 59 °F | 17% |
| Sun, Oct 25 | 74 °F | 52 °F | 26% |
Where to stay in Great Smoky Mountains
All three picks are in Gatlinburg, the walkable resort town at the park entrance with cabins in the hills. Sleep Inn & Suites near Sports World Blvd is the best value. It's $426 for the stay ($213 a night) with breakfast and free cancellation, and it scores 7.5 from 1,083 reviews. Historic Rocky Waters Inn, A Small Luxury Hotel is the top-rated pick, at 9 from 446 reviews. It costs $1,508 for the stay ($754 a night), room only, for a room with a fireplace and soaking tub, and it has free cancellation. Sidney James Mountain Lodge is the budget pick at $452 ($226 a night), room only, and it scores 8.1 from 3,296 reviews. Heads-up: it doesn't offer free cancellation. If you'd rather pay less to stay a short drive out, Sevierville has lower-cost hotels and cabin rentals.
Sleep Inn & Suites near Sports World Blvd
$426 for 2 nights, two guests · $213 a night
See roomsHistoric Rocky Waters Inn, A Small Luxury Hotel
$1,508 for 2 nights, two guests · $754 a night
See roomsSidney James Mountain Lodge
$452 for 2 nights, two guests · $226 a night
See roomsAll hotels in Great Smoky Mountains for these dates
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Where in Great Smoky Mountains
- Gatlinburg: Walkable resort town at the park entrance with cabins in the hills.
- Pigeon Forge: Family attractions, dinner shows and Dollywood.
- Sevierville: Lower-cost hotels and cabin rentals a short drive out.
- Townsend: The quiet side of the Smokies, near Cades Cove.
- Bryson City, NC: Small-town base on the North Carolina side with the scenic railroad.
What to do in Great Smoky Mountains
- Drive the Cades Cove loop at dawn to look for bears and deer.
- Hike to the Clingmans Dome observation tower for the ridge views.
- Spend a day at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.
- Walk the Gatlinburg SkyBridge above town.
- Hike to Laurel Falls or Alum Cave Bluffs.
Also worth it
- See the synchronous fireflies at Elkmont in June
Tours and tickets in Great Smoky Mountains
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Getting there and around
| Airports in Fort Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) |
|---|---|
| Airports in Great Smoky Mountains | Knoxville McGhee Tyson (TYS), Asheville Regional (AVL) |
| Flight time | 33h 33m (2 stops) |
| Distance | 692 miles each way |
| Time difference | same time zone |
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What 2 nights in Great Smoky Mountains costs
| Estimate | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two | $580 |
| Hotel, 2 nights (Sleep Inn & Suites near Sports World Blvd) | $426 |
| Food, getting around and tickets, 2 days for two | $360 |
| Total for two | $1,366 |
Flights and hotel are the prices we found; spending is a planning estimate for a mid-range destination, per person per day times two.
Price history: Fort Lauderdale to Great Smoky Mountains
| Per person | |
|---|---|
| This trip | $290 per person |
| Lowest in the last 30 days | $287 (Oct 13, 2026) |
| Typical price, last 60 days | $408 |
| Price checks | 6 |
Good to know
- Passport: not needed for US citizens; a government ID is enough.
- Currency: US dollar (USD).
- Peak fall foliage and the busiest weekends of the year
- You don't need a passport. You'll pay in US dollars, and Gatlinburg is on the same time as Fort Lauderdale.
- The $290 fare has 2 stops and takes 33h 33m outbound. The Allegiant nonstop takes 2h 5m.
- Late October is peak fall foliage and the busiest weekends of the year in the Smokies.
- Sleep Inn & Suites and Historic Rocky Waters Inn have free cancellation. Sidney James Mountain Lodge doesn't.
- Prices include taxes and fees as of when we checked. They can change before you book.
Questions readers ask
How much is the flight?
The lowest fare we found is $290 per person, $579 for two, on F9 + G4 with 2 stops. The Allegiant nonstop is $526 per person, $1,052 for two. We also saw a G4 fare with one stop at $315 per person.
Is the $290 fare worth it?
Only if you're fine with a very short trip. It leaves Friday at 9:58 PM, lands Saturday at 8:50 PM, and the return leaves Sunday at 6:00 AM. The nonstop leaves Friday at 6:33 PM and lands at 8:38 PM, so you get the whole weekend.
Do I need a passport?
No. It's a domestic trip, you'll pay in US dollars, and there's no time difference from Fort Lauderdale.
What is the weather like?
The forecast is overcast with highs of 79°F Friday, 77°F Saturday and 74°F Sunday, with lows of 52–59°F. Rain chances are 13% and 17%, rising to 26% with showers on Sunday.
Is 2 nights enough?
On the nonstop, it's enough for a dawn drive around Cades Cove, one good hike and an evening in Gatlinburg. Dollywood would take a full day of its own.
Which airport do I fly into?
These fares fly into Knoxville McGhee Tyson (TYS), which is 692 miles from Fort Lauderdale. Asheville Regional (AVL) also serves the park.
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All trips from Fort Lauderdale · Great Smoky Mountains from every city · Prices on this route · Trips in October 2026 · Home
Great Smoky Mountains in pictures
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Image credits
- Photo: Joshua Woroniecki / Pexels, Pexels License
- Photo: Connor Scott McManus / Pexels, Pexels License
- Photo: Owen.outdoors / Pexels, Pexels License