The nearest airport to Provo is the new Provo airport, but at the time of this writing, it’s not an international airport, and it’s tiny!
The Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is the nearest international airport to Provo, Utah.
I was surprised at how busy the SLCIA has become. It has grown in just the last 7 years. I feel like it has doubled in size. I have been flying to Salt Lake City each year for the past 7 years until I moved to Provo.
I am used to seeing all the return missionaries being greeted as they return home from their missions. Still, these crowds are more than just return missionaries.
Over 26 million people fly in and out of the Salt Lake City International Airport. This airport ranks 21st on the busiest airports list.
SLC is undergoing a major expansion, dubbed ‘The New SLC Project.’ The first phase was completed in 2020. The second phase is set to open in 2024.
I noticed the new terminal right away because I fly Southwest Airlines 99% of the time.
It was a long walk! It took nearly 28 minutes to get from my gate to the baggage claim area.
The Salt Lake City International Airport is Delta’s hub. If you take Delta, you won’t have the long walk I experienced. 😉
I also noticed the new parking garage the last time I parked my car in the extended stay parking garage.
By the time the expansions are completed, more than 34 million passengers will be able to fly in and out of the Salt Lake City airport.
How many major airports are there in Utah?
Utah has thirty (30) airports as of 2019. This is according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Among these, seven commercial service airports receive scheduled passenger service.
For context, here are the 7 major airports in the state of Utah:
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- St. George Regional Airport (SGU)
- Provo Municipal Airport (PVU)
- Ogden-Hinckley Airport (OGD)
- Cedar City Regional Airport (CDC)
- Canyonlands Regional Airport (CNY)
- Vernal Regional Airport (VEL)
Out of these, Salt Lake City International Airport is the only international airport.
How long of a drive is it from Provo to Salt Lake?
According to my Apple map GPS, the Salt Lake City International Airport is 41 miles from where I live in Provo.
Usually, I like to drive my car to the airport and park in the extended stay parking garage. Yes, it is a bit pricey, but I get to control my time and don’t have to ask my kids for a ride there and back. It just makes things easier for me most of the time.
I take an Uber to the airport when I don’t drive my own car. The cost normally runs anywhere from $65 to $90, depending on whether you are sharing the ride with another person or not.
If you don’t want to drive your car, or you don’t have one, but you don’t want to take Lyft or Uber, you can take the TRAX/Lightrail and UTA. You can also take the Airport Shuttle services.
I like to arrive at the airport 2 hours before my flight departure. This gives me time to park my car in the garage, gather my luggage, walk through the causeways to the terminal, check my bags, go through the TSA security checkpoints, and walk to my gate.
My Apple map tells me it will take me 44 minutes to get to the airport, so I am giving myself 1 hour just to be on the safe side.
Which airlines fly out of SLC?
I am a frequent flyer, and I know that many people are also frequent flyers. The only problem is that not everyone knows which airlines fly out of SLC. So, I decided to make this list so that everyone can have access to it and know which airlines fly out of SLC.
- AeroMexico
- Air Canada
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Eurowings Discover
- Frontier Airlines
- Jetblue Airways
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
My daughter works at the airport for Jetblue, Frontier, and Air Canada, so I know all about the different airlines that fly out of SLC.
Where do you fly into for BYU?
Provo is home to Brigham Young University (BYU). It is a private religious university founded in 1875 by Brigham Young. BYU is run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).
The best way to get to BYU is to fly into Salt Lake City International Airport and rent a car to Provo. It will be about a 45-minute drive.
Artworks at Salt Lake City International Airport
I’m sitting in the airport waiting for my flight to take off. The only thing that keeps me occupied is looking at all the artwork on display around me. Abstract art pieces are hanging on this place's walls that feel more like a museum than an airport terminal.
Artwork at Salt Lake City International Airport include:
- The Falls
- The Plates
- The Canyon
- Sculpture Benches
Everything seemed so different from one another yet so similar at the same time. It made me think about how there are so many ways to express yourself through art, and what makes one piece more meaningful than another.
Art is best appreciated when you can see it for free, just like the artworks at the BYU Museum of Art! I explored its beautiful architecture and unique pieces in one of my blog posts. Read the full article by clicking on the link!
Parking at SLC International Airport
There are 3 or 4 parking garages at the Salt Lake City International Airport. You will want to find the garage closest to your terminal. Believe me, it is a pain in the ‘you know what’ to find you have parked at the other end of the airport from where you need to be. I have done this more than once at different airports!
If you are going to pick up someone or greet your return missionary, you will want to park in the short-term parking. This is closer to the baggage claim area where the greeting room is.
If you are planning on parking while you travel, choose long-term parking. It is less expensive. You are not allowed to park in the short-term parking garage overnight.
All the parking garages have handicapped parking and electrical vehicle charging stations. These EV charging ports are available for public and employee use.
SLC also has 126 Fuel Efficient Vehicle parking spaces in the parking garage! But note that vehicles must have a green score of 40 and above to qualify as “fuel efficient.”
Another feature of SLC’s parking garage is the installed Parking Guidance System (PGS). It helps you locate available parking spaces through a color system. You can use this system if you lose your car like I do!
When you drive into the garage, you will see green and red lights at the end of each row. I love this feature!
It saves so much time. You don’t have to waste time driving up and down every row to find an empty spot to park.
Just look for the green light. The light will also have a counter, letting you know how many spots are available in that row.
Car Rentals at SLC International Airport
One of my favorite new additions to the airport is the state-of-the-art car rental area.
It is so clean, wide open, sleek, and modern.
What I like most is you don’t leave the airport to rent your car. After you go to the baggage claim and get your baggage, it is a short walk through the walkway to the airport's car rental area. Make sure you remember it is after the baggage claim, so you won’t have access to any terminals once you go to the car rental area without going through the TSA line again.
I took these photos of the car rental area. This is the prettiest airport car rental area I have seen. Well, that is my opinion. I travel often and have seen many airports.
SLC has the following rental car companies at the airport:
On-airport agencies include:
- Alamo
- Avis
- Budget
- Enterprise
Off-airport agencies include:
- ACE Rent-A-Car
- Affordable
- Go Rentals
- Rugged Rental
Restaurants at Salt Lake City International Airport
Some airports are known for their food fare. Some, not so much. I am excited about the renovations of the SLC airport, bringing some good eateries to the concourses. I am also excited about the healthy food options!
I don’t know about you, but I am always starving after flying. Sometimes you may have long layovers, and nothing is more annoying than only finding fast food options or those plastic-wrapped sandwiches in the media stores where you buy your bottled water for your flight.
Here are a couple of pointers:
- Don’t buy anything liquid before going through the TSA security checkpoint. They will make you throw it away.
- Buy a larger bottle of SmartWater or Fuji water after you have passed through security, so you don’t have to wait for the water to be served on your flight.
- Check your food options on your way to your gate, as different concourses have different options.
Here are the available places you can choose to dine in or buy food from:
- Beans & Brews
- Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
- Blue Lemon Restaurant
- Bruges Belgian Bistro
- Cafe Rio
- California Pizza Kitchen
- Fillings & Emulsions
- Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh
- Gourmandise: Euro Diner and Bakery
- Granato’s Gourmet Market
- Jamba
- Market Street Grill
- Panda Express
- Panera Bread
- Pick Up Stix
- Pizzeria Limone
- Roosters Brewing Co.
- Shake Shack
- Smashburger
- Squatters Pub Brewery
- Starbucks
- Uinta Brewing Company
- Wasatch Brew Pub
- White Horse Spirits and Kitchen
If your mouth is watering for Smashburger, get it at the airport because here in Provo, Smashburger has closed down.
Don’t forget to get those amazing truffles at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate store – yummy! They have amazing truffles!
My favorite place to eat at the airport is Gourmandise: Euro Diner and Bakery. It is on the way to my Southwest gate. They make the best avocado sandwich, and their chocolate mousse is to die for!
