Cheap flights to Salt Lake City
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Quick summary
Country
United States
Continent
North America
Airport
SLC
Currency
US dollar (USD)
Time zone
UTC-7 (UTC-6 during summer time)
Deals already spotted to Salt Lake City
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Airport and getting into town
An airport about ten minutes from downtown, linked by light rail
Salt Lake City International (SLC)
The airport sits about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of downtown, entirely within the city limits according to Wikipedia (EN). Wikivoyage (EN) says the TRAX Green Line light rail connects the airport with downtown, with taxis, ride-hailing and hotel shuttles as alternatives. It is a major hub for a US airline, with more than 100 non-stop destinations according to Wikipedia (EN) and direct flights to Amsterdam, London, Paris and Seoul according to Wikivoyage (EN). The intercity bus and train station is west of downtown, and Amtrak's California Zephyr calls only once a day in each direction, at night.
Distances and times are approximate, based on Wikivoyage (EN, DE) and Wikipedia (EN, FR, DE, ES); timetables change, so check them before you travel. We give no fares.
Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah, had 199,723 residents at the 2020 census (Wikipedia FR, DE) and a metro area of more than a million. It lies at roughly 1,300 m (4,300 ft) in a valley closed by the Wasatch Mountains to the east and the Oquirrh Mountains to the west, beside the Great Salt Lake. Founded on 24 July 1847 by Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young, it is now the world headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Wikipedia FR, DE) and hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics, which it will host again in 2034 (Wikivoyage EN, Wikipedia DE).
Landmarks and sights
The Capitol, Temple Square, the Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake
Salt Lake City works in two layers: an airy downtown laid out around Temple Square, then mountain and lake scenery minutes away. Four places are illustrated; Temple Square, the City and County Building and the main library are described in text.
The Utah State Capitol
The Capitol stands on the hill just north of downtown, overlooking the city according to Wikivoyage (EN). Its neoclassical dome rises above the Capitol Hill neighbourhood, and the grounds include a reflecting pond and several memorials. Public areas are free, and free guided tours run on the hour on weekdays according to Wikivoyage (EN); check opening times before you go.
The columned facade and its lawns
Seen from the front, the building unfolds a long colonnade above broad lawns, with the dome at the centre and flags on either side. The terraced grounds below make a good starting point for a walk toward downtown or toward the nearby Marmalade district, known for its quirky architecture according to Wikivoyage (EN).
The Wasatch Range
The Wasatch Range closes the valley to the east and rises in places about 2,000 m above the valley floor according to Wikipedia (DE). Snow-covered in winter, it hosts several ski resorts a short distance south-east of the city, including Alta, Brighton, Solitude and Snowbird, plus the three resorts at Park City according to Wikipedia (EN). In summer the same trails serve hikers, in cooler air than in town.
The Great Salt Lake
The Great Salt Lake borders the valley to the west and north-west. It is a refuge for more than a hundred bird species and has a large pelican colony according to Wikipedia (EN). Antelope Island, in the south-east of the lake, is a state park home to one of the last wild bison herds in the United States according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Lake shores and boardwalks
The shores form wide, pale sandy flats where the view runs a long way, with salt-lake and wetland scenery described by Wikipedia (EN). Wooden walkways cross the sand and low vegetation in places. Water levels have dropped in recent years, which changes how the shoreline looks from one season to the next.
Temple Square, City and County Building and library, in text
Temple Square, two blocks north of the city centre, is the most visited tourist site in Utah according to Wikivoyage (EN). Entry to the Temple itself is limited to church members, but the Tabernacle, where the famous choir sings, the Assembly Hall, the gardens and the visitor centres are open to everyone, free of charge. Most streets are numbered from Temple Square (Wikipedia FR): South Temple, for instance, runs just south of it. The Romanesque City and County Building, with its clock tower, dates from the 1890s according to Wikivoyage (EN), and the main library is a modern, light-filled building.
Museums and culture
Natural history, fine art, Mormon history and a planetarium
Natural History Museum of Utah
On the university campus, it is best known for its Jurassic dinosaur skeletons and exhibits on Utah's landscapes and earliest inhabitants according to Wikivoyage (EN). It makes a good rainy-day or winter-smog visit.
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
The university's art museum spans 5,000 years of art history across more than 18,000 works according to Wikivoyage (EN), with talks, tours and workshops. Hours vary from day to day; check the official website.
Church History Museum, Clark Planetarium and Hogle Zoo
At Temple Square, the Church History Museum covers Mormon history; downtown, Clark Planetarium offers free exhibits and paid shows. Hogle Zoo, at the mouth of Emigration Canyon, also suits families. We do not quote fares, as they change.
Food and drink
Fry sauce, Mexican cooking, brewpubs and neighbourhood markets
A local specialty
The one specialty born in Utah is fry sauce, a ketchup-and-mayonnaise mix served with fries and onion rings, given by default at many restaurants according to Wikivoyage (EN). The city is not famous for haute cuisine, but the choice has widened with its diverse population, notably Mexican, Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
Places with history
Wikivoyage (EN) mentions a few local tables: a popular family-run Mexican restaurant, a mountain diner open since 1930 and known for its mile-high biscuits, a burger-and-shake stand with car service since 1959 and a pioneering craft brewpub. Queues at mealtimes are common.
Neighbourhoods and drinks
Sugar House, in the south-east, has quirky shops and bars; downtown and the Avenues offer cafes and restaurants. Utah is stricter about alcohol than many states: beers in shops are often low in strength, and bars and restaurants follow rules that can surprise visitors.
Getting around
A numbered street grid, TRAX light rail and buses to the ski resorts
Finding your way
The city follows a grid centred on the south-east corner of Temple Square: 500 East is five blocks east, 1300 South thirteen blocks south, and streets almost always cross at right angles according to Wikivoyage (EN) and Wikipedia (FR). Streets are wide and one-way streets are rare, which makes driving easy.
Light rail and buses
The UTA network includes TRAX light rail, city buses and commuter routes to Ogden, Provo and Park City. In ski season, buses run to the resorts in Big and Little Cottonwood canyons according to Wikipedia (EN). Wikivoyage (EN) notes that the airport, downtown, the campus and the south of the city are reached by TRAX.
Car and trains
A car is handy for excursions: parking is easy outside downtown, but rush hours slow traffic. Amtrak is impractical for most travellers because of its single daily service. The national parks of southern Utah are about five hours away by road according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Budget and precautions
An average price level for the United States, with winter costing more near the slopes
Price level
Salt Lake City is in the middle of the range for US cities, with accommodation costing more in winter and near ski resorts. The currency is the US dollar (USD). We do not publish figures, because sources are old or disagree.
Flights and alerts
SniperAir tracks flight prices to SLC and compares them with the route's history, but it does not sell or book tickets. Fares to the United States are often higher during school holidays and the ski high season, December to March.
Precautions
Winter can bring temperature inversions that trap cold air and pollution in the valley for days according to Wikivoyage (EN). At altitude, dry air and strong sun call for water and sunscreen. Foreign visitors should check US entry requirements for their nationality. The centre is fairly calm, but take the usual big-city precautions at night.
When to go
Four distinct seasons: skiing in winter, dry heat in summer
Winter (December to February)
Cold and snowy from mid-November to early March according to Wikivoyage (EN): the ski season, with daytime temperatures often between -4 C and 10 C. Air inversions can degrade air quality in the city.
Spring (March to May)
Mild but changeable and increasingly sunny; the mountains stay snow-covered into May or June, and resorts generally close by mid-April according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Summer (June to August)
Long, hot and dry, averaging a 34 C high at the July peak according to Wikivoyage (EN); monsoon thunderstorms arrive from mid-July to mid-September. The mountains are cooler: hiking and camping.
Autumn (September to November)
Often the best season: pleasant days and little rain; foliage peaks in the mountains in late September according to Wikivoyage (EN), then in the valley about a month later.
Salt Lake City has a continental climate with a hot, dry summer, type Dsa according to Wikipedia (FR), with precipitation of about 350 to 500 mm a year according to Wikivoyage (EN) and heavy winter snow. For skiing, aim for December to March; for hiking, June to September; for a mild, clear city, September and October.
By length of stay
What to do in Salt Lake City by length of stay
The essentials
Spend time at Temple Square and the Capitol, go up to a viewing deck in a downtown building, then dine in Sugar House or downtown. If the weather is good, add a sunset by the lake.
Culture and discoveries
Add a university museum, half a day on Antelope Island for bison and birds, or a day of skiing or hiking in the Wasatch canyons depending on the season.
Going further
Push on to Park City and its Olympic park, or drive to the national parks of southern Utah, about five hours away. Plan on a rental car for these trips.
In pictures
Salt Lake City in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Salt Lake City
How do I get from Salt Lake City airport to downtown?
SLC is about 6 km west of downtown. The TRAX Green Line light rail connects the airport with downtown; taxis, ride-hailing and hotel shuttles are also available. Check timetables before you travel.
When is the best time to visit Salt Lake City?
December to March for skiing, June to September for hiking, and September to October for pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer is hot and dry, winter cold and snowy.
Can I visit Temple Square if I am not Mormon?
Yes: the gardens, the Tabernacle and the visitor centres are open to everyone and free according to Wikivoyage (EN). Only entry to the Temple itself is limited to church members.
Do I need a car in Salt Lake City?
Not for downtown, which you can cover by TRAX and on foot. For the ski resorts, canyons, lake and national parks, a rental car is more practical, although seasonal buses serve some resorts.
What is fry sauce?
It is a local sauce, a mix of ketchup and mayonnaise, served with fries and onion rings. It originated in Utah according to Wikivoyage (EN) and accompanies many dishes in the city's restaurants.
How long should I stay in Salt Lake City?
Two days cover downtown and the lake; allow four days if you want to ski or hike in the Wasatch Mountains, or a week if you add Park City and the southern national parks.
How much does a flight to Salt Lake City usually cost?
The price depends mostly on your departure city, the season and how early you book. The opportunities section above shows real examples of fares SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Salt Lake City drops below my budget?
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