Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is the front door to Utah. Every ski vacation, national park road trip, and business visit to the state begins here, which is why it pays to know how the airport works before you land.
Where the airport sits
The airport sits at more than 4,200 feet above sea level, framed by the Wasatch Mountains to the east and the Oquirrh Mountains to the west, west of downtown Salt Lake City. That high-desert setting is why planes climb quickly over the mountains and why winter storms here can move fast.
The New SLC
Salt Lake City International has been completely rebuilt. The airport’s redevelopment program, branded The New SLC, replaced the former terminal complex with a modern terminal and new concourses built in phases. Today travelers pass through one of the newest major airport facilities in North America.
Ground transportation
SLC offers the usual choices: on-site parking garages, rental cars, taxis, and app-based rideshare. The airport is also connected to downtown Salt Lake City by the UTA TRAX light-rail Green Line, an inexpensive way to reach the city center.
For door-to-door travel to ski resorts, Park City, and destinations across Utah, Book by Destination shows private airport shuttle rides and transfers from Salt Lake City International Airport to hotels, lodges, ski resorts, airports, and national parks, with a private vehicle dedicated to your group.
Planning tips
- Check the live security screening wait time on the airport’s website before leaving for the airport.
- Give yourself extra time on peak travel days — the airport sees its busiest periods during winter ski season and holidays.
- Winter storms can affect flights and canyon roads alike; build flexibility into your first and last day.
Next: Planning Your Utah Vacation and the Utah Ski Resort Guide. To reserve private transportation from the airport, visit Book by Destination and choose your destination type.
