Fly into Glacier Park International, take Amtrak's Empire Builder to the downtown depot, or drive US-93 into the Flathead Valley.
Whitefish arrival map
Glacier Park International Airport is about 12 miles from downtown Whitefish. The Empire Builder stops at the Whitefish depot, while drivers reach town on US-93 through the Flathead Valley. Use live directions and current Montana road conditions for the final route.
Second Star gear guide
Road Trip Essentials
Road-trip packing list
Phone mounts, coolers, emergency kits, chargers, packing pieces, and glovebox backup for scenic drives and weekend routes.
Car Phone Mounts
$26.99
Road Trip Coolers
$275.00
Car Emergency Kits
$69.95
FCA is roughly 12 miles from downtown Whitefish. Rental cars offer the most freedom for Glacier and outlying trailheads; prearranged taxis and shuttles can work for downtown or resort stays with limited driving.
The Empire Builder stops at the historic Whitefish depot, close to Central Avenue lodging and restaurants. Confirm the current train schedule and arrange any mountain-village transfer before arrival.
Reserve a rental car, taxi, or shuttle before landing. Rideshare supply can vary, and a downtown transfer does not solve Glacier or remote-trailhead transportation.
Check Montana road conditions before driving. A vehicle suited to snow is more useful than saving a small amount on a rental that limits mountain access.
Whitefish Mountain Resort operates the free S.N.O.W. Bus in winter. Confirm current routes and hours rather than assuming every lodging property has a shuttle.
Glacier Park International scheduled major runway rehabilitation in July 2026 and additional overnight work in September. The July weekday closure schedule has passed, but flight schedules and project updates remain the airport's authority.
Keep exploring
Compare Whitefish with Jackson Hole's Tetons, Red Lodge's Beartooth Highway, or Breckenridge's high-country ski town.
