The 3 Closest Airports to winston-salem north carolina
The 3 Closest Airports to Winston-Salem North Carolina
Choosing the right airport is crucial when planning a trip to Winston-Salem, North Carolina. While the city itself has a smaller airport, most travelers utilize one of the three larger commercial airports in the surrounding region, balancing proximity against flight availability and cost.
Here are the three main airport options for flying into the Winston-Salem area:
1. Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO)
This is the geographically closest commercial airport to Winston-Salem, located just west of Greensboro. It offers a significantly shorter drive compared to the other major options, making it very convenient for accessing Winston-Salem directly. While smaller than Charlotte or Raleigh-Durham, it serves the Piedmont Triad region well.
- Distance to Winston-Salem: Approximately 23 miles (around 30-40 minutes drive)
- Address: 1000 Ted Johnson Pkwy, Greensboro, NC 27409
- Pros: Very close, easy drive, less congestion, quick security | Cons: Fewer direct flight options, potentially higher fares than larger hubs.
- Airlines: American, Delta, United, Allegiant, Spirit (Check current list) | Car Rental: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Alamo available on-site.
- Official Website: flyfrompti.com
- Phone: (336) 665-5600
- Rating: Approx. 4.3 / 5 stars (Note: Ratings can fluctuate)
2. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Charlotte Douglas is the closest major international airport and a large hub (primarily for American Airlines). While significantly further away than GSO, it offers a vast number of domestic and international flights, often at competitive prices. The drive involves navigating more significant highway traffic.
- Distance to Winston-Salem: Approximately 85 miles (around 1 hour 30 minutes drive, traffic dependent)
- Address: 5501 Josh Birmingham Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28208
- Pros: Huge selection of direct flights (major hub), often lower fares, extensive airport amenities | Cons: Much longer drive, potential for heavy traffic (airport & I-85/I-77), can be crowded and busy.
- Airlines: American (Hub), Delta, United, Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Air Canada + others | Car Rental: All major companies available in a dedicated rental facility (shuttle required).
- Official Website: cltairport.com
- Phone: (704) 359-4013
- Rating: Approx. 3.9 / 5 stars (Note: Ratings can fluctuate, often impacted by hub delays/crowds)
3. Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Located east of Winston-Salem, RDU is another major airport option, similar in distance to Charlotte but in the opposite direction. It serves the state capital and the Research Triangle Park area, offering numerous flight options without being quite as large or congested as Charlotte.
- Distance to Winston-Salem: Approximately 100 miles (around 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours drive, traffic dependent)
- Address: 2400 John Brantley Blvd, Morrisville, NC 27560
- Pros: Many direct flight options, often competitive fares, modern facilities, generally less chaotic than CLT | Cons: Longest drive of the three, potential for traffic around RDU/I-40.
- Airlines: Delta, American, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, Spirit, Frontier, Air Canada, Icelandair + others | Car Rental: All major companies available via shuttle to a dedicated rental facility.
- Official Website: rdu.com
- Phone: (919) 840-7700
- Rating: Approx. 4.4 / 5 stars (Note: Ratings can fluctuate)
Conclusion:
The closest airport to Winston-Salem offering commercial service is Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro. However, the closest major international airport hub is Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). Your best choice depends on whether you prioritize the shortest driving time (GSO) or a wider selection of flights and potentially lower fares (CLT or RDU), factoring in the longer drive and potential traffic associated with the larger hubs.
