A local guide to the Idaho Falls Airport
By Suzi Barrett | Posted: June 9, 2025
Forget the long drive to SLC for international flights! The Idaho Falls Airport (IDA) offers a convenient, simple, and quick alternative for southeast Idaho and nearby Utah. Its streamlined setup (one departure door, one arrival door, six gates, two TSA lines, and two baggage claims) contrasts sharply with the hours needed to travel to SLC. Serving over 600,000 yearly passengers in 2024 with five airlines, IDA is the second busiest airport in Idaho and the go-to for over 300,000 residents across eight counties in this fast-growing region.
I flew to Las Vegas from IDA twice in May and wanted to share what’s going on at IDA. Parts of the airport have been closed on and off for a few years for construction, but it’s almost done now, and most things are up and running!
IDA is entering the final phase of a $45 million transformation, a 20-month project that started in 2023 and is slated to wrap up in early 2026. The upgrades include an 18,000 sq ft expansion, a new baggage system, and more infrastructure improvements.
Its clean, intuitive design means you can often arrive just 45-60 minutes before your flight (add extra time for holidays!), a welcome change from the usual two-hour buffer.
Convenient Location
Located just one mile from both I-15 and Highway 20, the airport is conveniently located and easy to get to, no matter where you’re arriving from.
It’s close to everything in town, but sits on the outskirts near the west side, so it’s not right in the hustle and bustle. Plus, it’s easy to find and easy to park.
Parking and Transportation
Short-term parking is $12 a day, and long-term parking is $10 a day.
There’s an economy lot that offers a $6 a day rate with a free shuttle you can call.
Idaho Falls has an on-demand public transit service called GIFT (Greater Idaho Falls Transit), which will pick you up anywhere in the Idaho Falls city limits and drive you one way for $4-10. Outside the Idaho Falls city limits, Uber and Lyft are options.
Check in and Security
Airline check-in counters are just inside the “Departures” entrance. All in one room, it’s really easy to navigate to the airline you need and efficiently get checked in. Just steps to the right, you’ll find security.
Direct Flights and Routes
Delta, United, American, Alaska, and Allegiant all fly in and out of the Idaho Falls airport. IDA offers 11 direct routes: Salt Lake City (SLC), Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), Oakland (OAK), Santa Ana (SNA), Dallas (DFW), Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (both PHX and AZA).
IDA also offers routes with layovers to almost anywhere by connecting through those 11 larger U.S. cities.
In the Terminal
At IDA, there’s a main floor and a second floor. The main floor houses the check-in gates, security, A gates, restrooms, and even a place for your pet to do their business. Baggage claim and rental car counters are on the main floor, just outside security.
Once you exit security, you find yourself on the main floor near the three “A” gates. It’s simple and straightforward, and there’s plenty of seating. Flights boarding from the A gates board on the tarmac via a ramp. It feels very small town, and honestly, I kind of like it (except when it’s cold outside). Upstairs, you’ll find the B gates, which board flights via a jet bridge or jetway.
Food and Shopping
Also on the upper level, you’ll find “The Snake River Bar and Grill” and a small market where you can buy snacks or souvenirs. There are tables and chairs, and a quiet, calm atmosphere to relax before your flight.
As I said, I do not arrive much before my flights here, so I didn’t indulge in the restaurant.
Saving Money
For most flights, especially international ones, IDA has an additional layover and a slightly higher price than flights from SLC, but when you factor in the time and gas to get there, and the stress of the bigger airport process, it just might be worth it.
Flying with Allegiant? You can save by booking in person at the airport. You can book your flight at the ticket counter and save approximately $22/person each way since they waive the “convenience fee” for booking at the airport instead of online. For my family of six flying to Vegas, we saved $264! Another nice IDA perk. The hours that the ticket counter is open and allows for purchasing tickets in person vary, so you may need to contact Allegiant for hours.
I really enjoy IDA as it saves drive time, waiting time, and makes the whole travel process much less stressful.
In fact, my 91-year-old grandma traveled with me on one of the trips, and she said she could handle the IDA airport alone because it was so easy and stress-free to navigate! But she was glad to have a companion to help her once she landed at the Las Vegas airport.
Overall, IDA’s new updates have made this a beautiful, convenient, simple, and quick place to fly.
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