A spacious airport terminal with travellers waiting by the windows

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) · USA

6-Hour Layover in Salt Lake City: What To Do

By AirConnect Editorial

Things to do in Salt Lake City

Tours, tickets & day trips

Photo: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels.

Quick answer

Can you leave the airport on a 6-hour layover in Salt Lake City?

Entry

Same USA rules — ESTA or visa required. Delta's mountain hub — international connecting at SLC must clear US immigration.

Into town

UTA TRAX Green Line (to downtown): 20 min, USD 2.50.

Time outside

4–5 hours in the city (stay close)

Times from SLC arrivals. Check entry rules for your passport before you fly.

Top Salt Lake City: Where to Go

The sights in Salt Lake City worth leaving the airport for.

landmark

Temple Square + Mormon Tabernacle

Free guided tours of the LDS Mormon Tabernacle (Tue-Sun) + the iconic Salt Lake Temple (exterior only, non-members can't enter).

neighbourhood

The Gateway + 9th & 9th

Outdoor mall + 9th & 9th hipster neighbourhood with breweries + restaurants. Free walking.

landmark

Park City (45 min)

Olympic ski resort + Main Street. For 8+ hour winter layovers: shuttle to Park City for ski lesson + apres ski (USD 30 shuttle + USD 100+ lift ticket).

Itinerary ideas for Salt Lake City

Pick the plan that fits the time between your flights.

Insider tip

SLC is 8km from downtown — UTA TRAX Green Line is the cheap fast option (USD 2.50, 20 min). The station is at the airport. Salt Lake City sits at 4,226 ft elevation — drink water on arrival. For 6+ hour winter layovers: ski day in Park City via shuttle.

Into Salt Lake City

Getting to Salt Lake City City Centre

ModeCostTime
UTA TRAX Green Line (to downtown)USD 2.5020 min
Taxi / Uber / LyftUSD 25–4015–30 min
Eat like a local

Eat Like a Local in Salt Lake City

Pastrami burger at Crown Burgers. Frites + brunch at Eva. Funeral potatoes (Mormon classic) at Ruth's Diner. Local craft beer at Squatters Pub Brewery.

6 hours in Salt Lake City

6-Hour Itinerary

123450h1h2h3h4h5h6h
1. Clear passport control2. Into Salt Lake City: UTA TRAX Green Line (to downtown)3. Temple Square + Mormon Tabernacle4. Eat before you head back5. Back to Salt Lake City International Airport
1

0–45 min

Clear passport control

Only leave the airport if your passport and visa allow entry; see the entry note above.

2

45–90 min

Into Salt Lake City: UTA TRAX Green Line (to downtown)

20 min, USD 2.50.

3

90–210 min

Temple Square + Mormon Tabernacle

Free guided tours of the LDS Mormon Tabernacle (Tue-Sun) + the iconic Salt Lake Temple (exterior only, non-members can't enter).

4

210–270 min

Eat before you head back

Pastrami burger at Crown Burgers. Frites + brunch at Eva. Funeral potatoes (Mormon classic) at Ruth's Diner. Local craft beer at Squatters Pub Brewery.

5

270–360 min

Back to Salt Lake City International Airport

Head back to Salt Lake City International Airport by UTA TRAX Green Line (to downtown) (20 min, USD 2.50). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.

Your questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa for a 6-hour layover in Salt Lake City?

Same USA rules — ESTA or visa required. Delta's mountain hub — international connecting at SLC must clear US immigration. Check the rules for your own passport before you fly.

Is 6 hours enough to leave Salt Lake City International Airport?

4–5 hours in the city (stay close). Getting into Salt Lake City by UTA TRAX Green Line (to downtown) takes 20 min each way.

How do I get from Salt Lake City International Airport to Salt Lake City centre?

UTA TRAX Green Line (to downtown): 20 min, USD 2.50. Taxi / Uber / Lyft: 15–30 min, USD 25–40.

A made-up hotel bed with white pillows and warm bedside lamps

Photo: Engin Akyurt on Pexels.

Hotels near Salt Lake City Airport

A day-use hotel near the airport is a great option for a 6-hour layover.

Find hotels in Salt Lake City

Hotels, hostels & more · Expedia

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Also useful for your Salt Lake City trip

Airlines that fly to Salt Lake City

See each airline’s route map: where else it flies from SLC.

Airport lounges at Salt Lake City Airport

Wait for your flight in a lounge — one membership covers lounges at airports across the country and worldwide.

Salt Lake City travel deals

Weekly layover, flight + hotel deals. No spam.

How a layover in Salt Lake City works

Passport and a phone with a booking on a red suitcase

01

Check you can leave

Same USA rules — ESTA or visa required. Delta's mountain hub — international connecting at SLC must clear US immigration.

Photo: Jacob on Pexels.

A car on a country road heading towards the mountains

02

Head into town

UTA TRAX Green Line (to downtown): 20 min, USD 2.50.

Photo: Artem Yellow on Pexels.

03

Back in time for your flight

Head back to Salt Lake City International Airport by UTA TRAX Green Line (to downtown) (20 min, USD 2.50). Be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight.

Ready for Salt Lake City?

Tours, tickets and day trips that fit between your flights.

Daylight on the ground

Daylight in Salt Lake City runs from about 9.1 hours in Dec to 14.9 in Jun. Enough of a difference that a winter stopover gives you noticeably less usable time outside than a summer one.