Book Flights to St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis -- the Gateway City anchored by the iconic Gateway Arch, Cardinals baseball, and Forest Park's world-class free museums -- is served by St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL). Southwest (the largest carrier), American, Delta, and United all operate STL.
FareOptic compares all carriers to STL -- finding the cheapest available fare for your St. Louis trip.
Cheap Flight Deals to St. Louis (STL)
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Why Visit St. Louis, Missouri?
The Arch, Cardinals, Forest Park free museums, and one of America's best-value city breaks
Gateway Arch National Park -- The 630-Foot Stainless Steel Monument to Westward Expansion
Eero Saarinen's Masterpiece, 1965-2018 Renovation, and the World's Tallest ArchThe Gateway Arch -- a 630-foot (192 m) catenary arch of stainless steel on the west bank of the Mississippi River in downtown St. Louis, designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen (winner of the 1947 design competition at age 38), constructed 1963-1965 -- is the world's tallest arch and one of the most recognizable architectural landmarks in the United States, serving as the centerpiece of Gateway Arch National Park (redesignated from Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in 2018). The Arch's geometry is a catenary curve (the shape of a hanging chain inverted) -- not a parabola, as frequently misidentified. The interior tram system (a unique 4-minute ride in egg-shaped capsules up each leg of the arch) reaches the observation deck at 630 feet, with views extending 30+ miles in each direction in clear weather. The Arch was built to commemorate Thomas Jefferson's vision of westward expansion and the role of St. Louis as the 'Gateway to the West.'
The Construction of the Gateway Arch -- 142 Days to Connect Two Legs and the Final Keystone Crisis
The Gateway Arch's construction (1963-1965) was an engineering tour de force: the two legs of the arch were built simultaneously from the ground up, each section a hollow equilateral triangle of stainless steel filled with concrete at the base (gradually transitioning to pure steel at the top). The critical moment came on October 28, 1965, when the final keystone section (at the apex, 630 feet up) was ready to be inserted -- but the legs had been slightly warped by a heat differential (St. Louis's sunny October day heated the south leg more than the north), causing a 6-inch gap at the top. Construction workers resolved the discrepancy by using hydraulic jacks to spread the legs slightly, correcting the gap, and completing the connection. The entire arch construction required not a single worker fatality -- an extraordinary safety record for a structure of that complexity and height.
Forest Park -- 1,300 Acres, Five World-Class Museums, and the 1904 World's Fair Legacy
Larger Than Central Park, Free Admission at the Zoo and Art Museum, and the Most Visited Urban Park in the US Outside NYCForest Park -- 1,300 acres of parkland in the heart of St. Louis's Central West End, larger than New York's Central Park (843 acres) -- is the site of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition (the largest World's Fair in history at the time, drawing 20 million visitors) and home to five major cultural institutions, all with free or low-cost admission: the Saint Louis Zoo (nationally ranked, free admission -- funded by a municipal zoo tax), the Saint Louis Art Museum (world-class collection in a beaux-arts palace built for the 1904 fair, free admission), the Missouri History Museum (forest park's history institution, free admission), the Saint Louis Science Center (free general admission), and the Muny Outdoor Theatre (America's largest and oldest outdoor municipal opera, capacity 11,000). Forest Park's Grand Basin, Pagoda Circle, and tree-lined boulevards preserve the bones of the 1904 World's Fair landscape.
The 1904 World's Fair -- The Louisiana Purchase Exposition and the Invention of the Ice Cream Cone
The Louisiana Purchase Exposition (St. Louis, April-December 1904) -- organized to celebrate the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase (actually one year late, since the acquisition was 1803 but construction wasn't ready) -- was the largest World's Fair in history at the time: 62 countries participated, 19.6 million visitors attended, and 1,500 buildings were constructed across 1,200 acres of Forest Park. The fair is credited (somewhat disputed) with popularizing or inventing several foods: the ice cream cone (a Syrian waffle vendor named Ernest Hamwi reportedly began rolling his waffles into cones to help an ice cream neighbor who ran out of dishes), the hot dog bun, iced tea, and the hamburger. Dr Pepper was introduced to a mass audience at the fair. The 1904 fair also hosted the Olympic Games -- the first Olympics held in the United States, though the organization was so chaotic (events scattered over 4.5 months) that the IOC nearly withdrew recognition.
Busch Stadium and the St. Louis Cardinals -- Baseball's Most Dedicated Fan Base
11 World Series Titles, Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, and the Nation's Most Passionate Baseball CityThe St. Louis Cardinals -- founded 1882, 11 World Series championships (second only to the New York Yankees' 27) -- play at Busch Stadium (downtown St. Louis, opened 2006, capacity 44,383), a modern ballpark adjacent to the Gateway Arch that consistently ranks among the best in Major League Baseball for atmosphere and fan experience. The Cardinals are considered the most rabidly loyal fan base in baseball: the team has sold out or near-sold out Busch Stadium for decades despite playing in a mid-sized market, and Cardinal red is visible throughout Missouri and across the Midwest. Cardinal legends include Stan Musial ('Stan the Man' -- career .331 batting average, 3,630 hits, widely considered the greatest Cardinal ever), Bob Gibson (17-strikeout 1968 World Series performance -- arguably the greatest pitching performance in Series history), Albert Pujols, Ozzie Smith, and Lou Brock.
The 1927 Rogers Hornsby Trade and the Cardinal Way -- How St. Louis Built Baseball's Most Successful Mid-Market Franchise
The St. Louis Cardinals' sustained excellence (11 championships across 140 years) results from a player development philosophy known informally as 'The Cardinal Way' -- an organizational commitment to fundamental baseball skills, character, and winning culture that transcends any individual player. The Cardinals pioneered the modern minor league farm system: Branch Rickey (Cardinals president 1919-1942, later Brooklyn Dodgers GM) invented the concept of a multi-level minor league system owned by a major league club, creating a pipeline of homegrown talent that produced multiple championships in the 1920s-1940s. The Cardinals also have a history of acquiring and maximizing 'undervalued' players -- the organizational intelligence that led to Albert Pujols going 402nd in the 2001 draft before becoming the greatest first baseman since Lou Gehrig.
St. Louis's Craft Beer and Food Scene -- Anheuser-Busch's Hometown and the City That Reinvented Itself
Budweiser Brewery Tours, Cherokee Street Taquerias, and a Growing Independent Beer CultureSt. Louis is the birthplace of Anheuser-Busch (founded 1852 by Eberhard Anheuser and Adolphus Busch -- the world's largest brewing company until its acquisition by InBev in 2008 for $52 billion): the Anheuser-Busch brewery complex in South St. Louis (1127 Pestalozzi Street) is a National Historic Landmark, one of the few remaining 19th-century brewery campuses in the US, offering free daily tours of the Clydesdales stables, fermenting cellars, and beechwood aging tanks. Post-AB InBev acquisition, St. Louis developed a thriving independent craft beer scene (Urban Chestnut, 4 Hands, Perennial Artisan Ales) as displaced Anheuser-Busch employees founded their own breweries. The Cherokee Street corridor (South St. Louis) is the city's most vibrant food street, anchored by Mexican restaurants and taquerias serving the large Mexican-American community that settled in the neighborhood in the 1970s-1980s.
Toasted Ravioli and St. Louis-Style Pizza -- The City's Two Most Distinctive Culinary Inventions
St. Louis has two genuine culinary inventions: (1) toasted ravioli (breaded and deep-fried pasta stuffed with meat -- allegedly invented at Mama Campisi's restaurant in the Hill neighborhood in the 1940s when a ravioli accidentally fell into a deep fryer; now a standard St. Louis appetizer served with marinara for dipping); (2) St. Louis-style pizza (an ultra-thin cracker-crisp crust made without yeast, topped with Provel cheese -- a processed blend of provolone, Swiss, and white cheddar, developed in St. Louis in the 1940s and rarely found outside the metro area -- and cut into rectangles rather than triangles). Imo's Pizza is the most famous St. Louis-style pizza chain; the style is beloved locally and considered heresy by most pizza purists outside Missouri.
How to Find Cheap Flights to St. Louis
Southwest Owns STL -- Always Check Southwest.com Before Booking on Aggregators
Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier at STL and has kept St. Louis airfares among the lowest of any comparable Midwest market for decades. Southwest's Dallas-St. Louis, Chicago-St. Louis, and Kansas City-St. Louis routes are the most price-competitive in the region. Southwest does not appear on Google Flights or Kayak -- any fare comparison without checking Southwest.com is incomplete.
Cardinals Home Games Drive Peak Demand -- Book Summer Flights 4+ Weeks Ahead
The Cardinals play 81 home games from April through September, and marquee series (Cubs, Cubs playoff rivals, post-season) fill downtown hotels and drive flight demand. Opening Day weekend and September pennant-race games see the largest demand spikes. Book any summer St. Louis trip at least 4 weeks ahead to secure reasonable fares.
St. Louis Has Zero-Free-Admission Culture -- The Zoo and Art Museum Are Both Free
St. Louis has one of the most remarkable free-attraction portfolios of any major US city: the Saint Louis Zoo (funded by the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District tax, free admission since 1916), the Saint Louis Art Museum (free general admission), Missouri History Museum (free), and Laumeier Sculpture Park (free). Budget travelers can spend 3-4 days in St. Louis with virtually no admission costs.
April-June and September-October: Best Weather for Sightseeing at the Arch and Forest Park
St. Louis summers (July-August) are hot (90-95°F/32-35°C) and very humid. Spring (April-June) and fall (September-October) offer ideal temperatures (65-80°F/18-27°C) for outdoor attractions, Cardinals games, and Forest Park exploration. January-February has the lowest fares but cold, gray winter weather.
Airlines Flying to St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
Southwest Airlines
St. Louis's Largest Carrier -- Midwest Hub and National Network Leader at STLSouthwest Airlines is the largest carrier at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), operating the most seats on domestic routes including direct service to Dallas Love Field (DAL), Houston Hobby (HOU), Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), Orlando (MCO), Nashville (BNA), Baltimore (BWI), Chicago Midway (MDW), Phoenix (PHX), and 20+ other markets. Southwest's STL operation is part of its dense Midwest network. Southwest's presence at STL has kept fares significantly lower than at comparable mid-sized markets without low-cost competition -- check Southwest.com directly as it does not appear on aggregators.
Key Routes
DAL to STL (1h 30m nonstop; MDW to STL (45m nonstop; DEN to STL (2h 15m nonstop; LAS to STL (3h nonstop; LAX to STL (3h 30m nonstop; MCO to STL (2h 15m nonstop; BWI to STL (2h nonstop
American Airlines
DFW, Chicago, and Charlotte Hub Connections -- National Network Gateway for St. LouisAmerican Airlines connects St. Louis to its Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), and Charlotte (CLT) hubs, providing STL travelers with access to American's extensive domestic and international network. American's ORD-STL route is a short-hop Midwest shuttle that provides frequent connections north to Chicago. American's DFW-STL route serves the Dallas-St. Louis business corridor.
Key Routes
DFW to STL (2h nonstop; ORD to STL (55m nonstop; CLT to STL (2h 15m nonstop; MIA to STL (2h 30m nonstop
Delta Air Lines
Atlanta Hub -- Southeast and Global Network Access from St. LouisDelta Air Lines connects St. Louis to its Atlanta (ATL) hub with multiple daily nonstops, providing Southeast and global network access for STL travelers. Delta also operates nonstops from Minneapolis (MSP), Detroit (DTW), and New York (JFK/LGA) to STL, making St. Louis one of the better-connected mid-sized markets on Delta's network.
Key Routes
ATL to STL (1h 45m nonstop; MSP to STL (1h 30m nonstop; DTW to STL (1h 30m nonstop; JFK to STL (2h 30m nonstop
United Airlines
Chicago, Denver, and Houston Connections -- Secondary Network Carrier at STLUnited Airlines connects St. Louis to its Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Denver (DEN), and Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) hubs, providing network access for STL travelers heading to United's international routes via Houston and Chicago. United's ORD-STL route parallels American's on the same corridor.
Key Routes
ORD to STL (55m nonstop; DEN to STL (2h 15m nonstop; IAH to STL (2h nonstop; EWR to STL (2h 30m nonstop
Things to Do in St. Louis, Missouri
Essential Info for Your St. Louis Trip
State
Missouri (MO)
Airport Code
STL — St. Louis Lambert International Airport
Currency
USD — US Dollar
Time Zone
CST (UTC-6) / CDT (UTC-5) in summer
Airport to Downtown
13 miles NW. MetroLink light rail: $2.50, 35 min. Rideshare: $30-45, 20-25 min.
Free Museums
Zoo, Art Museum, History Museum, Science Center: all free general admission. Tram to Arch top: $15 adults.
Illinois Border
Downtown St. Louis is on the Missouri side; East St. Louis (IL) is across the Mississippi. Cahokia Mounds UNESCO site: 15 miles east.
Emergency Number
911
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions on Flights to St. Louis
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to St. Louis, Missouri (STL)
What airport serves St. Louis?
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (IATA: STL) serves St. Louis and the greater metro area (both Missouri and Illinois sides of the Mississippi River). The airport is located 13 miles (21 km) northwest of downtown St. Louis -- approximately 20-25 minutes by car or rideshare ($30-45 to downtown). MetroLink light rail connects Lambert Airport (both terminals) to downtown St. Louis in approximately 35 minutes for $2.50 -- the most cost-effective option.
What is St. Louis known for?
St. Louis is known for: (1) the Gateway Arch (630-foot stainless steel monument, world's tallest arch); (2) the St. Louis Cardinals (11 World Series titles); (3) Forest Park and free museums (zoo, art museum, science center, history museum); (4) the 1904 World's Fair (Louisiana Purchase Exposition -- popularized ice cream cones, hot dogs, iced tea); (5) Anheuser-Busch brewery (Budweiser birthplace); (6) the City Museum; (7) toasted ravioli and St. Louis-style pizza; and (8) Missouri's position as the 'Gateway to the West.'
Is the Gateway Arch free to visit?
The Gateway Arch grounds and Museum of Westward Expansion (below the arch) are free to visit. The tram ride to the observation deck at the top of the arch (630 feet) costs $15/adults, $10/children, $13/seniors. Tickets are timed -- book in advance especially for summer weekends, as the tram has limited capacity and popular time slots sell out. The National Park Service manages the site; an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass covers the tram fee.
What is the best time to visit St. Louis?
Best weather: April-June and September-October (65-80°F/18-27°C, ideal for outdoor sightseeing). Peak demand: Cardinals home games April-September, especially marquee series and playoff games. Summer (July-August) is hot and humid but the most popular visitor season. Winter (January-February) has the lowest fares and hotel rates; the indoor museums and Arch are comfortable year-round.
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