Cheap Flights to South Dakota

Best Time to Book a Flight to South Dakota

Many people choose to visit South Dakota during the late spring to catch the first blooms, or in early fall for the changing of the leaves. Temperatures average 26 degrees Celsius during the day and 13 degrees Celsius at night. Summers can be hot, topping out at more than 37 degrees Celsius. In winter, prepare for temps in the -10 degree Celsius range. Airfares tend to be higher during that favourable spring and summer. You can often save money on airfare by flying midweek. Use the Skyscanner Whole Month Search screen to easily find the cheapest rates.

What to Expect When Arriving at South Dakota Airports

All the airports/cities listed are surrounded by wide open spaces, making a rental car the best choice for exploring the countryside. It does snow a lot in winter, so reserve a 4x4 as early as possible if that's when you plan to visit. Be aware that some roads, including interstates, may be closed during major snow storms. Pay attention to local weather reports, they can save you time and aggravation.

• Rapid City Regional Airport, about 17 kilometres from downtown, is the gateway to Mount Rushmore and the wind-sculptured Black Hills. United, Delta, American Airlines and Allegiant Airlines are the primary carriers, with service from locations such as Denver, Dallas and Chicago. The single terminal has most amenities, such as restaurants and shops, on Level 2. Ground transportation, including rental cars, airport shuttles and taxis are available in or outside baggage claim.
• Sioux Falls Regional Airport uses a larger single terminal and welcomes the air carriers already listed plus Frontier Airlines, which offers service from Las Vegas, Nevada. Less than five kilometres from downtown Sioux Falls, you'll find similar transportation options. Most passenger services are outside of the secured area, including ATMs, restaurants and shops.
• Downtown Pierre is only six kilometres from Pierre Regional Airport. The smallest of the three airports, the main carrier is Great Lake Airlines which has code share agreements with Delta, Frontier and United. A code share is when you are booked with one carrier but one or more of your flights are on a partner airline. Pierre is handy if you're flying in to see the capital but there are fewer services.

What to See and Do in South Dakota

• Using Rapid City as a base, venture out to explore Badlands National Park and the Black Hills. Take the Loop Road through the badlands, an area once covered by an inland sea and the domain of some of the fiercest dinosaurs on the planet. Carved by wind and erosion, the jagged, sculptured landscape looks almost extraterrestrial.
• The Badlands of South Dakota is also home to Mount Rushmore, where the busts of four prominent United States' presidents are carved into a mountainside. Nearby is the Crazy Horse Memorial, still under construction on Native American land. Head for the onsite visitors centre and see the model of what Thunderhead Mountain will look like, a proud warrior astride his powerful horse.
• The city of Sioux Falls is worth a visit, offering several family-friendly local parks, including Falls Park that flanks some impressive waterfalls on the Big Sioux River. You'll also find a replica of Michelangelo's David sculpture and a memorial dedicated to the battleship USS South Dakota, a veteran of WWII.
• Head for Pierre if you'd like to wander about the State Capitol building, completed in 1910. Visit the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Centre, a structure literally carved into the prairie hillside that tells both the Native American and early immigrant stories. The museum's sod roof is a perfect example of eco-friendly architecture.