How to Get to Walla Walla, Washington
Getting To Walla Walla
Tucked quietly into the southeast corner of Washington State, Walla Walla is surprisingly easy to access for those seeking a quieter, more relaxed experience than can be found in other popular destinations throughout the West. Located just far enough off the beaten path, and removed from the crowds of large metropolitan areas, travelers to the unofficial capital of Washington wine country are rewarded with an experience that is difficult to match. Whether you arrive by car, plane, boat, bus, or some combination of the four, getting to Walla Walla is easy. After experiencing the wine, food, culture, recreation, and people, we’re confident that leaving will be a little harder.
At roughly four hours, the drive to Walla Walla is equidistant from Seattle, Portland, and Boise, with the added benefit of already having your ground transportation in place upon arrival. Even closer is Spokane at just under three hours, while the drive times from Bend (just under five hours) and Vancouver, B.C. (just under seven hours) are slightly longer but scenic and rewarding trips.
Approximate travel times to Walla Walla from nearby markets:
– Spokane, WA: 2.5 hours
– Seattle, WA: 4 hours
– Portland, OR: 4 hours
– Boise, ID: 4 hours
– Bend, OR: 4.5 hours
– Vancouver, British Columbia: 6.5 hours
For those who prefer to arrive by plane, a quick 40-minute flight from Seattle via Alaska Airlines is all that stands between you and Walla Walla. The Walla Walla Regional Airport (ALW) is just five minutes from downtown, and offers convenient rental car, shuttle/bus, taxi, and rideshare services. A full FBO operated by Gorge Aviation Services provides fuel, maintenance, transportation, and storage services for visitors arriving by private aircraft.
The Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in nearby Pasco boasts nonstop service from 10 markets including Burbank, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles (seasonal), Minneapolis, Phoenix-Mesa, Salt Lake City, San Diego (seasonal), San Francisco, and Seattle. Only a scenic 45-minute drive from Walla Walla, the route begins by following the shores of the majestic Columbia River as it passes through the 14,600-acre McNary National Wildlife Refuge, before heading east along Highway 12 through the fertile Walla Walla River valley.
And don’t forget, when traveling via Alaska Airlines your first case of wine (per ticketed passenger) flies home with you for free!