Great Smoky Mountains from New York, Oct 23–25: round trip from $449
When we checked, round-trip flights from New York to the Great Smoky Mountains cost $449 per person, all-in, for Oct 23–25, 2026 (2 nights), on United with one stop. The forecast shows highs of 74–75°F with a small chance of rain. Our value pick, Sidney James Mountain Lodge in Gatlinburg, is $452 for the stay.
The flight
$607 $449 per person, round trip
the typical fare on this route
$898 for two, taxes and fees included · United. Operated by Gojet Airlines DBA United Express + Mesa Airlines DBA United Express · 1 stop · 6h 25m
Out Fri, Oct 23, 8:17 AM – Fri, Oct 23, 2:42 PM
| Airline | Per person | Stops | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| United. Operated by Gojet Airlines DBA United Express + Mesa Airlines DBA United Express | $449 | 1 stop | 6h 25m |
| United. Operated by Gojet Airlines DBA United Express | $534 | nonstop | 1h 50m |
| United. Operated by Commuteair DBA United Express | $449 | 1 stop | 4h |
Prices checked Oct 12, 2026, 4:12 AM 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 | $898 |
| Sidney James Mountain Lodge, 2 nights | $452 |
| Trip total for two | $1,350 |
Regular: $1,666 You pay: $1,350 Saved: $316
the typical fare on this route.
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Why go now
$449 per person, or $898 for two, is $158 below the typical fare on this route, which sits at $607. That's 26% less, and the fare has a Lowest in 30 days badge based on our 9 checks. Across 12 offers we saw fares from $449 to $657. Late October is peak fall foliage in the Smokies, and these are also the busiest weekends of the year, so expect lively trails and a busy Gatlinburg. The forecast shows highs of 74–75°F, lows of 52–57°F and a 23–26% chance of rain, which is good weather for hiking and slow drives through the park. Our rough budget for two comes to $1,710: $898 for flights, $452 for the value hotel and $360 for spending. Prices are all-in as found and can change.
The kind of trip this is
A fall nature weekend: misty ridges, changing leaves, waterfall hikes and a good chance of seeing black bears and deer. It works for couples and friends who like being outside, and for families, since Dollywood is next door in Pigeon Forge. The pace is early mornings in the park and easy evenings in a walkable mountain town. With 2 nights, pick a couple of big things and leave time to just enjoy the views.
Weather in Great Smoky Mountains, Oct 23–25
Highs 74–75°F, a small chance of rain
| Day | High | Low | Rain chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 23 | 74 °F | 52 °F | 26% |
| Sat, Oct 24 | 75 °F | 57 °F | 24% |
| Sun, Oct 25 | 75 °F | 54 °F | 23% |
Where to stay in Great Smoky Mountains
All three picks are in Gatlinburg, the walkable resort town at the park entrance, with cabins up in the hills. Sidney James Mountain Lodge is the value pick: $452 for the stay ($226 a night) for a Double Room with Balcony, scored 8.1 from 3,294 reviews. Heads-up, that rate has no free cancellation. Hotel Indigo Gatlinburg Downtown by IHG is the top rated at 9.4 from 299 reviews, $899 for the stay ($450 a night) with two queen beds and free cancellation. Bear Creek Inn Gatlinburg, TN is listed as the budget option at $471 ($236 a night), scored 7.5 from 2,304 reviews, with free cancellation and two queen beds. If you'd like a quieter base near Cades Cove, look at Townsend. Sevierville has lower-cost hotels a short drive out.
Sidney James Mountain Lodge
$452 for 2 nights, two guests · $226 a night
See roomsHotel Indigo Gatlinburg Downtown by IHG
$899 for 2 nights, two guests · $450 a night
See roomsBear Creek Inn Gatlinburg, TN
$471 for 2 nights, two guests · $236 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, when bears and deer are out
- Hike up to the Clingmans Dome observation tower for ridge views
- Pick one waterfall or bluff hike: Laurel Falls or Alum Cave Bluffs
- Walk the Gatlinburg SkyBridge above town
- Spend a day at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge
Also worth it
- Hike to the Clingmans Dome observation tower
- Hike to Laurel Falls or Alum Cave Bluffs
- 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 New York | John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Newark Liberty International (EWR), LaGuardia (LGA) |
|---|---|
| Airports in Great Smoky Mountains | Knoxville McGhee Tyson (TYS), Asheville Regional (AVL) |
| Flight time | 6h 25m (1 stop) |
| Distance | 620 miles each way |
| Time difference | same time zone |
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What 2 nights in Great Smoky Mountains costs
| Estimate | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two | $898 |
| Hotel, 2 nights (Sidney James Mountain Lodge) | $452 |
| Food, getting around and tickets, 2 days for two | $360 |
| Total for two | $1,710 |
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: New York to Great Smoky Mountains
| Per person | |
|---|---|
| This trip | $449 per person |
| Lowest in the last 30 days | $449 (Oct 12, 2026) |
| Typical price, last 60 days | $607 |
| Price checks | 9 |
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
- No passport needed, you pay in US dollars and there's no time difference with New York.
- The $449 fare has one stop and takes 6h 25m, leaving Friday, Oct 23 at 8:17 AM and landing in Knoxville at 2:42 PM.
- The flight goes to Knoxville McGhee Tyson (TYS); Asheville Regional (AVL) is the other nearby airport.
- October is peak fall foliage and some of the busiest weekends in the park, so start early.
- All three hotel rates are room only, and the Sidney James Mountain Lodge rate isn't free to cancel.
Questions readers ask
How much is the flight?
We found $449 per person round trip, $898 for two, all-in with taxes and fees. That's $158 below the typical fare on this route of $607. It flies United with one stop. Prices change, so check the live fare before you book.
Is there a nonstop option?
Yes. We saw a United nonstop for $534 per person, $1,068 for two. It leaves at 1:45 PM and lands at 3:35 PM, so the flight takes 1h 50m. That's $85 more per person than the one-stop fare.
Do I need a passport?
No. It's a domestic trip, you pay in US dollars and Gatlinburg is on the same time as New York.
What's the weather like?
The forecast for Oct 23–25 shows highs of 74–75°F and lows of 52–57°F, with clouds and a 23–26% chance of rain each day. That's comfortable hiking weather.
Is 2 nights enough?
It's enough for a sunrise drive around Cades Cove, one good hike like Laurel Falls or Alum Cave Bluffs and an evening in Gatlinburg. If you want a full Dollywood day too, plan on a packed Saturday.
What does the whole weekend cost for two?
Our rough budget comes to $1,710 for two: $898 for flights, $452 for Sidney James Mountain Lodge and $360 for spending, which works out to $90 a day per person.
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Great Smoky Mountains in pictures
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Image credits
- Photo: Connor Scott McManus / Pexels, Pexels License
- Photo: Owen.outdoors / Pexels, Pexels License
- Photo: Joshua Woroniecki / Pexels, Pexels License