Cheap flights to St. Louis
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Quick summary
Country
United States
Continent
North America
Airport
STL
Currency
US dollar (USD)
Time zone
UTC-6 (UTC-5 during summer time)
Deals already spotted to St. Louis
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Airport and getting into town
STL, an airport linked to downtown by light rail
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
St. Louis Lambert International Airport is about 23 km, or 14 miles, northwest of downtown according to Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (EN). Both sources say it is served directly by the MetroLink light rail, whose Red Line starts at the airport according to Wikivoyage (EN); check timetables before you travel. We give no exact journey times or fares.
Distances are approximate, based on Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (EN); timetables change, so check them before you go. We do not quote fares.
St. Louis has just over 300,000 residents at the 2020 census according to Wikipedia (EN, DE), and a metropolitan area of about 2.8 million according to Wikipedia (FR, ES). The city lies on the west bank of the Mississippi, not far from its confluence with the Missouri, facing Illinois according to Wikipedia (EN, ES).
By rail, Amtrak serves the downtown station from Chicago, Kansas City and, with the Texas Eagle, from Dallas and San Antonio according to Wikivoyage (EN). Greyhound and Megabus stop at the bus terminal next to the station according to Wikivoyage (EN). In the city the MetroLink light rail has two branches on the Missouri side according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Landmarks and sights
A 192 m arch, a historic courthouse and the fairgrounds park
St. Louis is best explored between the Mississippi, the Gateway Arch and its parks. Five images illustrate the city; museums, the basilica and bridges are covered in the sections below.
The Gateway Arch, gateway to the West
The Gateway Arch is a 630-foot, 192 m monument clad in stainless steel, described as the world's tallest arch according to Wikipedia (EN). Completed in 1965 according to Wikivoyage (EN) and Wikipedia (FR), it pays homage to westward expansion and to the city's nickname, the Gateway to the West, according to Wikipedia (EN, FR, DE). It is part of a national park according to Wikipedia (FR); a tram goes to the top according to Wikivoyage (EN).
A steel curve against the sky
The Arch was designed by Eero Saarinen according to Wikivoyage (EN). Its slim, bright profile can be seen from afar above the downtown buildings; up close it is the mass of polished steel that impresses.
The Old Courthouse
The Old Courthouse, a historic courthouse with a green dome, was the site of the Dred Scott case, one of the seeds of the Civil War according to Wikivoyage (EN). It stands at the foot of the Arch among the downtown office towers and is part of the Gateway Arch site according to the same source.
Forest Park, legacy of the 1904 fair
Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, covers more than 500 hectares according to Wikivoyage (EN) and Wikipedia (EN). The city hosted the 1904 World's Fair and the Olympics there, the first held outside Europe, according to Wikipedia (EN). The park holds the zoo, the art museum, the Missouri History Museum and the science center according to Wikivoyage (EN).
The Climatron at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Founded in 1859 by Henry Shaw according to Wikipedia (FR, DE), the Missouri Botanical Garden covers about thirty hectares according to Wikipedia (FR, DE). Its Climatron, a geodesic-dome greenhouse 42 m across completed in 1960, recreates a lowland rain forest according to Wikipedia (EN).
Basilica, Eads Bridge and brewery, in text
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, in the Neo-Byzantine style, was completed in 1914 and designated a basilica in 1997 according to Wikipedia (EN); Wikivoyage (EN) highlights its mosaics. The Eads Bridge, completed in 1874, was the first bridge across the Mississippi at St. Louis according to Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (EN). In Soulard, the city's oldest neighborhood, red-brick architecture is characteristic according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Founding and history, in text
St. Louis was founded on February 14, 1764 by French fur traders Pierre Laclède and Auguste Chouteau and named for King Louis IX according to Wikipedia (EN, FR, DE). Sold to the United States in 1803 with Louisiana according to Wikipedia (EN), it was the fourth-largest US city in 1900 according to Wikipedia (EN, FR).
Museums and culture
Art, history and a botanical garden
Saint Louis Art Museum
The Saint Louis Art Museum, set in Forest Park, holds paintings, sculptures and objects from around the world according to Wikipedia (EN); Wikivoyage (EN) ranks it among the leading comprehensive art museums in the country. We do not quote fares.
Missouri History Museum and City Museum
The Missouri History Museum, in the Jefferson Memorial building, has a life-size replica of Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis according to Wikivoyage (EN). The City Museum is a five-story playground made of salvaged materials according to Wikivoyage (EN). Opening hours change, so check them before you go.
Missouri Botanical Garden
Founded by Henry Shaw, the Missouri Botanical Garden has a herbarium of more than 7.5 million specimens, the second largest in North America according to Wikipedia (EN); Wikivoyage (EN) describes it as a haven of calm in the middle of the city.
Contemporary art and performing arts
The Contemporary Art Museum shares a courtyard with the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts in the Grand Center arts district, and Citygarden shows outdoor sculpture downtown according to Wikivoyage (EN). The city is also a hub of jazz and blues according to Wikivoyage (EN); the Muny, an open-air musical theater, stages shows in summer according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Food and drink
Toasted ravioli, gooey butter cake and Italian heritage
St. Louis specialties
Wikivoyage (EN) lists toasted ravioli, breaded and deep-fried stuffed pasta reflecting local Italian influence, as a favorite bar food, and gooey butter cake, a coffee cake with a buttery yellow bottom layer and a top layer of either egg and cream cheese, or butter and sugar.
Neighborhoods and markets
The Hill, the Italian district, is known for its Italian restaurants, bakeries and grocery stores according to Wikivoyage (EN). Soulard Market is one of the city's best-known markets according to Wikivoyage (EN). The Delmar Loop, named in 2007 by the American Planning Association as one of the ten great streets in America, and Cherokee Street offer cafes, shops and bars according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Beer and evenings
The Benton Park neighborhood holds historic brewing sites according to Wikivoyage (EN). Downtown, Laclede's Landing, the old riverfront district with cobblestone streets, groups bars and restaurants according to the same source. We name no individual address.
Getting around
Light rail, car and a walkable center
MetroLink
The MetroLink is a light rail serving many of the metro area's popular destinations according to Wikivoyage (EN); its Red Line starts at the airport according to the same source. We do not quote fares.
By car
A car is useful for Forest Park, the Missouri Botanical Garden and neighborhoods away from downtown. Wikivoyage (EN) mentions a beltway that bypasses the metro area on the Illinois side.
On foot and by bike
Downtown, the area around the Arch and Laclede's Landing can be explored on foot according to Wikivoyage (EN). In Forest Park, walking, cycling and boating are possible according to Wikivoyage (EN); the park is large enough to explore in several stages.
Budget and precautions
A big Midwestern city with varied attractions
Price level
St. Louis is a big Midwestern city, with museums, parks and breweries: the offer runs from simple restaurants to pricier tables. The currency is the US dollar (USD). We publish no figures: sources are dated or disagree.
Flights and alerts
Lambert is the largest airport serving the metro area according to Wikivoyage (EN). SniperAir tracks flight prices to STL and compares them with the route's history, but it does not sell or book tickets.
Precautions
As in any big city, find out about the neighborhood of your accommodation and stay in busy areas in the evening. Wikipedia (EN) notes that St. Louis lies in Tornado Alley, with sometimes violent spring storms; follow weather alerts. Foreign visitors should check US entry requirements for their nationality.
When to go
A climate of extremes: spring and fall are the mildest
Winter (December to March)
Wikivoyage (EN) says the cold can be harsh from December to March, with no mountains or large bodies of water to moderate the climate.
Spring (April to May)
A good time for Forest Park and the botanical garden; Wikipedia (EN) does note sometimes violent thunderstorms in spring.
Summer (June to August)
Hot and humid according to Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (EN). The Muny stages shows from June to August according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Fall (September to November)
The trees change color in autumn, notably in Forest Park according to Wikipedia (EN). It is often a lovely time for the parks.
St. Louis has a humid subtropical climate according to Wikipedia (EN), with hot, humid summers and cool to cold winters according to Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (EN). Wikipedia (EN) counts about 48 thunderstorm days a year. Sources give different monthly means depending on the language, so we do not quote them.
By length of stay
What to do in St. Louis by length of stay
The essentials
The Gateway Arch, the Old Courthouse, the Mississippi riverfront and a meal in the Italian district.
Culture and discoveries
Add Forest Park with its art museum, the Missouri Botanical Garden and the City Museum.
Going further
Allow time for a baseball or hockey game, a jazz evening and the Delmar Loop.
In pictures
St. Louis in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to St. Louis
How do I get from STL airport to downtown St. Louis?
STL is about 23 km northwest of downtown according to Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (EN); the MetroLink light rail serves it according to both sources.
When is the best time to visit St. Louis?
Spring and fall are the mildest; summer is hot and humid and winter can be harsh according to Wikivoyage (EN).
What is there to see in St. Louis?
The Gateway Arch, the Old Courthouse, Forest Park, the Saint Louis Art Museum and the Missouri Botanical Garden according to Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (EN).
How tall is the Gateway Arch?
630 feet, or 192 m, according to Wikipedia (EN).
What should I eat in St. Louis?
Toasted ravioli, gooey butter cake and Italian food in The Hill district according to Wikivoyage (EN).
How long should I stay in St. Louis?
Two to three days cover the Arch, Forest Park and a museum; add a day for the botanical garden and the City Museum.
How much does a flight to St. Louis 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 St. Louis drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, St. Louis as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching fare is detected.
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