Great Smoky Mountains from Washington, DC, Oct 23–25: round trip from $389
A nonstop round trip from Washington, DC to the Great Smoky Mountains costs $389 per person ($778 for two) for Oct 23–25, 2026, two nights, on American, operated by PSA Airlines as American Eagle. The forecast shows highs of 74–79°F and little rain. Our best-value hotel, Sleep Inn & Suites near Sports World Blvd in Gatlinburg, is $426 for the stay with breakfast included.
The flight
$694 $389 per person, round trip
the typical fare on this route
$778 for two, taxes and fees included · American. Operated by PSA Airlines as American Eagle · nonstop · 1h 48m
Out Fri, Oct 23, 7:45 PM – Fri, Oct 23, 9:33 PM
| Airline | Per person | Stops | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| American. Operated by PSA Airlines as American Eagle | $389 | nonstop | 1h 48m |
| Delta | $409 | 1 stop | 3h 34m |
| American. Operated by PSA Airlines as American Eagle | $439 | nonstop | 2h |
Prices checked Oct 12, 2026, 8:02 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 | $778 |
| Sleep Inn & Suites near Sports World Blvd, 2 nights | $426 |
| Trip total for two | $1,204 |
Regular: $1,814 You pay: $1,204 Saved: $610
the typical fare on this route.
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Why go now
The fare is $389 per person round trip, or $778 for two. That's $305 below the typical fare on this route, 44% under the $694 median of our earlier checks, and it carries the Lowest in 30 days badge. Across the 12 offers we saw, fares ran from $389 to $755. The timing works too. Late October is peak fall foliage in the Smokies, and the forecast shows highs of 74–79°F, lows of 52–59°F and rain chances between 13% and 26%, with showers possible on Sunday. It's an easy long weekend: 1h 48m in the air Friday evening, then two days of ridge drives, waterfall hikes and evenings in Gatlinburg. One heads-up: foliage weekends draw big crowds, so expect company at the trailheads and on the Cades Cove loop.
The kind of trip this is
This is a nature getaway in a national park: early trail starts, scenic drives and cool evenings in a mountain town. It suits couples and friends who like to hike and don't mind sharing the trails during foliage season. With Dollywood next door, it also works for families. The pace is active but short, so with two nights you'll pick a couple of highlights rather than try to cover the whole park.
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 hotels are in Gatlinburg, the walkable resort town at the park entrance, so trailheads and dinner are close by. Sleep Inn & Suites near Sports World Blvd is the best value: $426 for the stay ($213 a night) with breakfast included and free cancellation, rated 7.5 from 1,083 reviews. Hotel Indigo Gatlinburg Downtown by IHG is the top rated, scoring 9.4 from 301 reviews. It's $920 for the stay ($460 a night), room only, and it also has free cancellation. Sidney James Mountain Lodge is the budget pick at $452 for the stay ($226 a night), rated 8.1 from 3,296 reviews. You get a room with a balcony, but it's room only and can't be canceled for free. If you'd rather stay near Dollywood, Pigeon Forge is the base for family attractions and dinner shows.
Sleep Inn & Suites near Sports World Blvd
$426 for 2 nights, two guests · $213 a night
See roomsHotel Indigo Gatlinburg Downtown by IHG
$920 for 2 nights, two guests · $460 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, when bears and deer are out.
- Hike up to the Clingmans Dome observation tower above the misty ridges.
- Hike to Laurel Falls or Alum Cave Bluffs on Saturday, forecast 77°F with a 17% rain chance.
- Walk the Gatlinburg SkyBridge right in town.
- Spend a day at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, next door to the park.
Also worth it
- Hike to the Clingmans Dome observation tower
- 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 Washington, DC | Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), Washington Dulles International (IAD), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) |
|---|---|
| Airports in Great Smoky Mountains | Knoxville McGhee Tyson (TYS), Asheville Regional (AVL) |
| Flight time | 1h 48m nonstop |
| Distance | 418 miles each way |
| Time difference | same time zone |
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What 2 nights in Great Smoky Mountains costs
| Estimate | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two | $778 |
| Hotel, 2 nights (Sleep Inn & Suites near Sports World Blvd) | $426 |
| Food, getting around and tickets, 2 days for two | $360 |
| Total for two | $1,564 |
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: Washington, DC to Great Smoky Mountains
| Per person | |
|---|---|
| This trip | $389 per person |
| Lowest in the last 30 days | $389 (Oct 13, 2026) |
| Typical price, last 60 days | $694 |
| Price checks | 10 |
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 won't need a passport. It's a domestic trip, you'll pay in US dollars and there's no time difference.
- The nonstop leaves DCA at 7:45 PM on Friday, Oct 23 and lands at Knoxville McGhee Tyson (TYS) at 9:33 PM. The flight covers 418 miles in 1h 48m.
- Prices are all-in, with taxes and fees included, as we found them when we checked, and they can change. We don't have the return flight time, so check it before you book.
- Late October is peak fall foliage, and these are some of the busiest weekends of the year in the park.
- Sleep Inn & Suites near Sports World Blvd and Hotel Indigo Gatlinburg Downtown by IHG offer free cancellation. Sidney James Mountain Lodge does not.
Questions readers ask
How much is the flight?
It's $389 per person round trip, or $778 for two, nonstop on American, operated by PSA Airlines as American Eagle, from DCA to Knoxville (TYS). That's $305 below the typical fare on this route. Prices are all-in as we found them and can change.
What would the whole weekend cost for two?
Our budget for two comes to $1,564. That's $778 for flights, $426 for two nights at Sleep Inn & Suites near Sports World Blvd and $360 for spending money, which works out to $90 per person per day.
Do I need a passport?
No. It's a domestic trip, you'll pay in US dollars and there's no time difference from Washington, DC.
What is the weather like?
Friday is forecast overcast with a high of 79°F, and Saturday is overcast at 77°F. Sunday brings showers at 74°F with a 26% rain chance. Lows run 52–59°F, so pack a layer for dawn drives.
Is 2 nights enough?
It's enough for a taste. You land Friday at 9:33 PM, so Saturday is your full day and Sunday is a partial one. That's time for Cades Cove at dawn, one good hike and an evening in Gatlinburg, but not the whole park.
Which airport do I fly into?
The nonstop flies DCA to Knoxville McGhee Tyson (TYS). Asheville Regional (AVL) is the other airport listed for the park, and on the DC side, IAD and BWI are options too.
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Great Smoky Mountains in pictures
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Image credits
- Photo: Owen.outdoors / Pexels, Pexels License
- Photo: Joshua Woroniecki / Pexels, Pexels License
- Photo: Connor Scott McManus / Pexels, Pexels License