How can I get to Dollywood when I can't drive?

August 24, 2015 1:27 PM

I love Dolly Parton and really want to go to Dollywood when we're on holiday in the US but I can't drive. How can I get there? My fiance and I need to get from Nashville to Pigeon Forge, 215 miles away. He can't drive either. How do I achieve my Dolly dream?

Buses and trains in that part of the state seem to be non-existent, so is there a way of hiring a car and a driver to take us there? WOuld a taxicab be willing to do it (or would that be prohibitively expensive?). What do people think of Craig's List these days - is it worth trying/can I trust people? If I find someone willing to take me, how much should I pay them?

We were planning to travel from Nashville to Pigeon Forge on a Sunday, go to Dollywood on Monday, then on the Tuesday catch a taxi to Knoxville (I've found one that will do that). Any help is much appreciated.

posted by curious zoe to Travel & Transportation around Pigeon Forge, TN (10 answers total)

What dates are you planning this for?
posted by workerant at 1:31 PM on August 24, 2015

Here's the same question from 2011 (http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g55270-i188-k4555689-Knoxville_to_Dollywood-Pigeon_Forge_Tennessee.html)
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 1:41 PM on August 24, 2015

It appears you can use megabus to get from Nashville to Chatanooga to Knoxville. You'd be getting into Knoxville late, and might have a difficult time getting a cab to Dollywood until morning.
posted by politikitty at 1:43 PM on August 24, 2015 [1 favorite]

Dollywood does appear to be on the itinerary for any number of bus (coach) touring companies (try Googling "Dollywood bus tour".) However, the tours generally seem to be longer than a couple of days and include many more destinations, so you'd have to radically rearrange your plans to take advantage of this fact; a couple of days wouldn't cut it.
posted by Johnny Assay at 1:46 PM on August 24, 2015 [2 favorites]

Best answer: It looks like there is a Sunday afternoon Greyhound bus from Nashville to Knoxville and then it would be a not completely insane (but expensive) cab ride to Pigeon Forge.
posted by ghharr at 1:47 PM on August 24, 2015

This is not snark: have you contacted Dollywood with your question? If they can't give you a viable suggestion, perhaps they can recommend a travel planner in the area who can help you.
posted by vignettist at 1:50 PM on August 24, 2015 [16 favorites]

It's probably going to be much easier for you to find transportation (bus, plane) between Nashville and Knoxville (two cities), especially on a Sunday, than Nashville and Pigeon Forge (small town). From there, I would get a hotel in Knoxville for Sunday night, then see about getting a taxi or hiring a livery driver to take you down to Pigeon Forge/Dollywood on Monday.
posted by Pandora Kouti at 1:57 PM on August 24, 2015

Best answer: I think I found a way: (1) Airplane from Nashville to Knoxville (McGhee Tyson Airport: code TYS) (2) The Knoxville airport's website has a contact list for taxi companies. One of them, Airport Yellow, seems to list a flat rate to downtown Pigeon Forge. (3) There's a trolley from Pigeon Forge to Dollywood. (Of course, phone first to double-check everything.)
posted by bentley at 2:54 PM on August 24, 2015 [2 favorites]

I like Bentley's plan. Flying is quicker. I suspect the bus would deposit you in downtown Knoxville, which is very likely dead and deserted on Sunday.

Renting a car is certainly an option. Some rental shops might be open in central Knoxville on Sunday to serve hotel guests. Call the shops directly to verify that, and to book a car. Rental counters at the airport will certainly be open.
posted by justcorbly at 4:12 PM on August 24, 2015

Knoxville is home to a huge state college. Fly or bus there from Nashville and find a student to drive you there.
posted by raisingsand at 6:39 PM on August 24, 2015