The 3 Closest Airports to 1000 islands

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The 3 Closest Airports to 1000 Islands

The beautiful 1000 Islands region, straddling the border between Northern New York State and Southeastern Ontario, Canada, is a popular destination known for its scenic boat tours, historic castles, and charming waterfront towns. While it doesn’t have its own large airport, several options provide access for visitors flying into the area.

Here are the three airports generally considered closest and most convenient for reaching the heart of the 1000 Islands (like Gananoque, ON, or Alexandria Bay, NY).

  1. Watertown International Airport (ART)

    Watertown International Airport is a small public airport located in Jefferson County, New York. It offers limited commercial service but is geographically one of the closest options, especially for accessing the US side of the 1000 Islands. While ART is very close, Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) is the closest major airport serving the region.

    • Distance to 1000 Islands: Approx. 25-35 miles (40-56 km) / 30-45 minute drive to Alexandria Bay or Clayton, NY.

    • Address: 22529 Airport Dr, Dexter, NY 13634, USA

    • Pros: Very short drive to US side. Cons: Very limited flight options, fewer amenities. Airlines: Primarily served by American Eagle (service can vary). Car Rental: Avis, Budget (availability may be limited).

    • Official Website: https://www.watertownairport.com/

    • Phone: +1 315-639-6247

    • Rating: Approx. 4.0 stars (Google Reviews)

  2. Kingston Norman Rogers Airport (YGK)

    Kingston Airport is located just west of Kingston, Ontario. It’s the most convenient option for directly accessing the Canadian side of the 1000 Islands, particularly Gananoque. Like Watertown, it’s a smaller regional airport. Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) remains the closest major airport offering broader flight connections.

    • Distance to 1000 Islands: Approx. 20-30 miles (32-48 km) / 30-40 minute drive to Gananoque, ON.

    • Address: 11 Victorial Drive, Kingston, ON K7M 9A1, Canada

    • Pros: Very short drive to Canadian side (Gananoque). Cons: Limited flight schedule/destinations, primarily domestic Canadian flights. Airlines: Primarily served by Air Canada Express, Pascan Aviation (service can vary). Car Rental: National, Enterprise, Budget.

    • Official Website: https://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/airport

    • Phone: +1 613-389-6404

    • Rating: Approx. 4.2 stars (Google Reviews)

  3. Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)

    Syracuse Hancock International is the nearest major airport to the 1000 Islands region, located in Syracuse, New York. It offers a much wider range of domestic flights across the US and some international connections compared to Watertown or Kingston, making it a popular choice for many visitors despite the longer drive. It is the closest major airport.

    • Distance to 1000 Islands: Approx. 85-95 miles (137-153 km) / 1.5 – 2 hour drive to Alexandria Bay, NY or Gananoque, ON (border crossing required for Gananoque).

    • Address: 1000 Col Eileen Collins Blvd, Syracuse, NY 13212, USA

    • Pros: Many more flight options and airlines, better amenities. Cons: Longer drive to the 1000 Islands region. Airlines: Allegiant, American, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country, United (subject to change). Car Rental: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless.

    • Official Website: https://syrairport.org/

    • Phone: +1 315-454-3263

    • Rating: Approx. 4.3 stars (Google Reviews)

Conclusion

Geographically, Watertown International Airport (ART) in New York and Kingston Norman Rogers Airport (YGK) in Ontario are the closest airports to the 1000 Islands region, offering the shortest drives to the US and Canadian sides, respectively. However, for travelers seeking more flight options, carriers, and potentially lower fares, Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) is the closest major airport, albeit requiring a longer drive (1.5-2 hours) to reach the heart of the islands.

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