Metered cabs line up outside baggage claim at TYS
At McGhee Tyson’s Main Terminal, taxis stage directly outside the lower-level baggage claim doors, so you hit the curb in under 2 minutes once you exit security and head downstairs. This is the most direct option if you land late and don’t want to gamble on app drivers or wait out a 30‑minute hotel shuttle loop.
The taxi stand sits in front of the terminal’s central baggage carousel area, with cars queuing in a single lane along Airport Highway (TN‑129). Signage inside the Main Terminal points to “Ground Transportation / Taxis” with arrows from both Concourse A and Concourse B, so you can follow the blue icons as soon as you clear the escalator from the secure side.
FlyKnoxville’s own FAQ page lists taxis right alongside ride share and car rentals, but it does not publish a fare chart or typical wait times for McGhee Tyson Airport. In practice, that means you should ask the driver for an estimated price to downtown Knoxville, Maryville, or Oak Ridge before pulling away from the curb, especially on game days when traffic on I‑140 and US‑129 can add 10–20 minutes.
Because the airport doesn’t post fixed rates, taxis at TYS generally run on standard metered pricing from the Main Terminal ranks. Always check that the meter starts at the base drop rate when you leave the curb, and keep your airline’s baggage tag or boarding pass handy if you need the exact arrival time to dispute a charge later. Some cabs accept cards, but it’s smart to have at least $40 in cash for a basic downtown Knoxville run.
Taxis operate throughout the day to meet arriving flights on the airport’s regular schedule, which spans early-morning departures before 6:00 a.m. through late-night returns after 11:00 p.m. at the Main Terminal. During the first and last banks of Delta, American, and United flights, expect a few‑car queue; in midday lulls, you may have to wait 5–10 minutes while the dispatcher calls in more drivers.
One practical tip: before you leave the terminal, snap a photo of the cab number and the “McGhee Tyson Airport” sign above the ground transportation doors so you can track the ride with the company later if you leave a bag on the back seat or need a receipt reprinted.