If you’re arriving by plane, you won’t have to think too long which airport to fly into. Branson has just one – Branson Airport (BKG).

Branson Airport is 11 kilometers from downtown Branson, so be prepared for a bit of a commute into the city center.

If you’re jumping on a plane to Branson, you’ll likely touchdown at Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) (64 kilometers from downtown). Branson Airport (11 kilometers from downtown) is the other main airport that services the city.

You’ll find 4 airlines that operate on the route to Branson. These fly in from 12 airports around the world.

Flights into Branson are typically operated by American Airlines. The highest number of these flights depart from Dallas, with American Airlines servicing this route the most often.

With 160 nonstop flights running each week, you’ll be landing in Branson before you can say, “Are we there yet?”

Flights to Branson departing from Dallas, Chicago and Denver airports are very popular.

If you’re flying to Branson from Dallas, you’ll have a flight time of 1 hour and 20 minutes. Those departing from Chicago can expect to be midair for 1 hour and 49 minutes. From Atlanta it’s 1 hour and 52 minutes away.

If you’d like to save some cash on your Branson vacation, listen up! As every seasoned traveler will tell you, avoid booking at the last minute. Prices are often highest just prior to the departure date. Don’t stop there, however. Do some research and find out if there is more than one airport at your destination. Ticket prices often differ depending on which airport you use. Make sure you compare fares across airlines as well. Lastly, be prepared to secure your seat quickly if you stumble on a great price. It might not be available for too long! With a bit of knowledge and a little luck, the ideal fare can be yours.

Depending on where you’re coming from, your journey to Branson could be simple and straightforward or it could go on forever. Here are some handy travel tips that will help you start your next great escape on the right foot.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a stress-free travel experience is to pack ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, boarding pass, bank cards and daily medications. Next, bring on board items that’ll help while away those hours, like some electronic devices or a few magazines. It’s also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of headphones. Last but not least, don’t forget to chuck in toiletry items like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Pack all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your checked baggage. Any liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by security. Pointed or sharp objects, like a Swiss Army knife, and products which are explosive or flammable, such as flares, bleaching agents and strong acids, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• The goal here is to make yourself as comfortable as possible. Layer yourself up in natural-fiber clothing and remember to bring a sweater in case it gets cold in the cabin. Go for a pair of well-fitting, flat shoes as it’s possible that your feet and ankles will swell during the journey. Leave the high heels and chunky boots in your checked baggage.
• Most travelers are aware of DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of sitting. There’s lots you can do to reduce your risk. Wear a good-quality pair of compression socks or tights, stay hydrated and get your legs and feet moving. Walk the aisles of the cabin or perform some simple exercises in your seat.

Being organized before you get to the airport will make your trip to Branson quick and painless. Check out our handy hints for a speedy journey through security:

• Keep your travel documents and passport easily accessible. They’re the first things you’ll be asked for by security.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Remove anything metal on you that is likely to beep. This includes things like earphones or headphones, as well as heavy coats or jackets. They’ll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and laptop, are also required to be separately scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as shampoo or hand cream, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on shoes usually aren’t.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp items or pocket knives in the cabin. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked baggage.