Major city · United States
BillingsBillings, Montana
Give Billings 1–2 nights as a Yellowstone or I-90 stop, not a destination: the Rims, Pictograph Cave and a downtown evening fill a day.
Billings is Montana's largest city and the main airport and hospital hub for the eastern half of the state. It sits on I-90 at the junction with I-94, about 2 hours from the Beartooth Highway turnoff, so most travellers use it as an overnight or a meal stop on the way to Yellowstone. The sights are spread across a wide, car-dependent city: sandstone Rims trails, a 2,000-year-old pictograph site, a small downtown museum cluster and a minor-league ballpark. Two nights covers it; one night is enough if you only want a bed and dinner.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, wind, snow); late Jul–Aug wildfire smoke
- Airport
- BIL
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Billings911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Billings, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyBillings is a normal mid-size US city: violent crime is concentrated in a few pockets and the main risks for visitors are winter road ice…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBIL Billings Logan International Airport (On the Rims about 3 km (1.9 mi) north of downtown; served by Allegiant, American, Alaska, Delta…BIL Billings Logan International Airport (On the Rims about 1.9 mi (3 km) north of downtown; served by Allegiant, American, Alaska, Delta…
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: sights are 5–25 km (3.1–16 mi) apart and MET Transit runs only nine weekday/Saturday bus lines with no Sunday service.A car is the practical choice: sights are 3.1–16 mi (5–25 km) apart and MET Transit runs only nine weekday/Saturday bus lines with no Sunday service.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–18
- BeerDraught beer in a downtown brewery$5–8
- Metro or bus rideMET Transit bus fareExact change; no Sunday service$1.25
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Moss Mansion, Yellowstone Art Museum)Free hours exist at some museums$12–15
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$260
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$150 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BIL Billings Logan International Airport (On the Rims about 3 km (1.9 mi) north of downtown; served by Allegiant, American, Alaska, Delta, Frontier and United, with Denver, Salt Lake City and Minneapolis the main hubs. Cape Air links smaller Montana towns.)BIL Billings Logan International Airport (On the Rims about 1.9 mi (3 km) north of downtown; served by Allegiant, American, Alaska, Delta, Frontier and United, with Denver, Salt Lake City and Minneapolis the main hubs. Cape Air links smaller Montana towns.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Care*
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Care
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: Jun, Sep. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Billings: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
6 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
6 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
6 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: sights are 5–25 km apart and MET Transit runs only nine weekday/Saturday bus lines with no Sunday service. Downtown is walkable on its own. Taxis use fixed zones; Uber and Lyft operate. A paved trail network runs along the Yellowstone River and the Rims.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Pompeys Pillar National Monument
goDoor to door: About 45 min each way
I-94 east to exit 23, then a short drive on the access road
The only physical trace of the Lewis and Clark expedition; boardwalk with about 200 steps, allow 2 hours. Open May–Sep, $7 per vehicle.
Pictograph Cave State Park
goDoor to door: About 20 min each way
Drive southeast of Lockwood on Colburn Rd
Paved 1.2 km (0.7 mi) loop past three caves with rock art; $8 per vehicle, hours change by season.Paved 0.7 mi (1.2 km) loop past three caves with rock art; $8 per vehicle, hours change by season.
Laurel
goDoor to door: About 20 min
I-90 west about 16 km (9.9 mi)I-90 west about 9.9 mi (16 km)
Separate town with its own main street; a half-day at most.
Hardin and Crow Agency
goDoor to door: About 1 h
I-90 east about 70 km (43 mi)I-90 east about 43 mi (70 km)
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is just beyond Crow Agency; a full day with the drive.
Red Lodge and the Beartooth Highway
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h to Red Lodge
US-212 southwest via Laurel and Columbus
The Beartooth Pass road is seasonal and closes in winter; sleep in Red Lodge rather than return.
Miles City
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5 h
I-94 east about 230 km (143 mi)I-94 east about 143 mi (230 km)
Too far for a comfortable return day; pair with Glendive.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown (26th–30th St, 1st–6th Ave)
Walkable to museums, restaurants and bars; best for one night without a car.
Westend / Shiloh Crossing
Chain hotels, Rimrock Mall and easy I-90 access; best with a car or a family.
The Heights
North of MetraPark on Main St; cheaper motels, 10–15 min drive to downtown.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–190 excl. bed
- High
- $190+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain-hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$150 | US$300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$150 | US$600 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$80 | US$80 |
| Fuel, 150 km of driving1 × US$18 | US$18 |
| Pictograph Cave or Pompeys Pillar entry, per vehicle1 × US$8 | US$8 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$104 |
| Trip total≈ US$285 per person per day, bed included | US$1,140 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and rental car excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Diner breakfast | $10–18 |
| Burger and fries | $12–20 |
| Draught beer in a downtown brewery | $5–8 |
| MET Transit bus fareExact change; no Sunday service | $1.25 |
| Rideshare, downtown to Westend | $12–20 |
| Museum entry (Moss Mansion, Yellowstone Art Museum)Free hours exist at some museums | $12–15 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter driving: I-90 and the Rims roads ice up and can close; check Montana road conditions before leaving.
- Summer wildfire smoke can cut visibility and air quality for days — check air quality if you have breathing issues.
- Distances are long: Yellowstone's northeast entrance via the Beartooth Highway is a full day each way, not a day trip.
- Downtown bars and the brewery strip are quiet on Sundays; several restaurants close Sunday and Monday.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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BillingsBillings, Montana
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Billings; consulates are in Denver, Seattle and San Francisco, embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport (BIL) to downtown: about 10 min by car; rideshare roughly $15–25
- MET Transit bus: $1.25 exact fare, weekdays and Saturdays only
- Rental car, one day: $50–130 before fuel
Say or show
- Where is the airport shuttle? — Where is the airport shuttle?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is this road open in winter? — Is this road open in winter?
- How far is Yellowstone from here? — How far is Yellowstone from here?
- Do you take reservations? — Do you take reservations?
- Where is the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest gas station?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Billings. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, wind, snow); late Jul–Aug wildfire smoke · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BIL: last flight arrivals, rideshare and taxi fallback, downtown versus Westend rungs.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown museums, the Rims trailheads, MetraPark, Shiloh Crossing.
- Place pages with verified hours and cutoffs (Pictograph Cave, Pompeys Pillar, Moss Mansion, Yellowstone Art Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and smoke fixtures so I-90 and Beartooth closures can go green.