Overview
Great Falls sits on the banks of the Missouri River in central Montana, a friendly, unpretentious city that makes an excellent base for exploring the northern Rockies, the high plains and the Lewis and Clark trail. Most UK travellers pair it with a wider Montana or Yellowstone road trip. Expect big skies, western history and outdoor space in every direction.
Best time to fly to Great Falls
The most comfortable window for flights to Great Falls is late June to early September, when daytime temperatures sit in the low to mid-20s Celsius and the River's Edge Trail and nearby state parks are at their best. May and September are quieter and often cheaper, with cooler but pleasant days. Winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures regularly below freezing and the famous chinook winds sweeping down off the mountains, so pack accordingly between November and March. The When to book chart above shows how fares move across the year.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Great Falls; every routing connects through a US hub. Common options are British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United, Delta or American from London, Manchester or Edinburgh to gateways such as Denver, Seattle, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City or Chicago, then a short onward hop into Great Falls International (GTF) with United, Delta or Alaska Airlines. Allegiant also links GTF with Las Vegas and Phoenix-Mesa. Transatlantic sectors run around 9 to 11 hours; with one connection and a layover, allow roughly 16 to 20 hours in total.
Things to do in Great Falls
Great Falls rewards visitors who enjoy history, art and the outdoors.
- Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center: an absorbing museum retelling the expedition's gruelling portage around the falls.
- C.M. Russell Museum: home to the West's most celebrated cowboy artist, alongside his original studio and log-cabin home.
- Giant Springs State Park: one of the largest freshwater springs in the country, with riverside paths and a fish hatchery.
- River's Edge Trail: a scenic walking and cycling route tracing the Missouri and its waterfalls.
- First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park: a vast prehistoric bison-hunting cliff with interpretive displays, a short drive south.
At Great Falls International Airport (GTF)
GTF is a small, easy airport about 3 miles (5 km) northwest of downtown, roughly a 10-minute drive. There is no dedicated airport bus, so most travellers collect a pre-booked hire car at the terminal, which is also the most practical way to explore Montana. Taxis and rideshare services operate, and some hotels provide a shuttle if you arrange it in advance.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Great Falls
- Book the international legs around two to four months ahead for the best balance of price and choice; last-minute fares to small US airports rise sharply.
- Fly midweek and try to avoid the July peak — the price charts on this page highlight the cheaper spells.
- Keep your dates flexible and compare connecting via different hubs; Denver and Seattle often undercut Salt Lake City.
- Compare full itineraries rather than single airlines, as mixed-carrier routings can be noticeably cheaper.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders travelling for tourism do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days, but you must hold an approved ESTA under the Visa Waiver Programme before you fly, plus a passport valid for the length of your trip. The currency is the US dollar; check the pound-to-dollar rate before you exchange or load a travel card. No special vaccinations are required, but US medical care is expensive, so comprehensive travel insurance is essential. Montana runs on Mountain time, seven hours behind the UK.