South - 4h 18min @MEM - enough time to visit Graceland?

Hello all!

I will be visiting the US for New Year's, and our groups is contemplating a day trip to MEM on 30/12 or thereabouts. Due to other people arriving from Europe, we'll have to be back at ORD for the aftrenoons. For this reason the following flights would be the only option (and UA is the only option for us):

*United Express*
UA 5831 Canadair
Departure: ORD 8:30
Arrival: MEM 10:15
Non-stop First Class - F

*United Express*
UA 6837 Canadair
Departure: MEM 14:33
Arrival: ORD 16:30
Non-stop First Class - F

(i) Enough time for Graceland?
So the question is, would this leave enough time to visit Graceland?
https://www.elvis.com/graceland/
- I know it's not a lot of time in any case, but 1hour there would be better than no visit at all

(ii) Method of transport?
And what is the fastest way to travel between MEM and Graceland? Taxi or rental car? How much are we looking at (3 people)?

Thank you very much for your replies!
okko

I visited Graceland once when my flight was seriously delayed. Graceland is about a 10 minute taxi ride from the airport. I had to beg at the ticket counter to get in on an early tour. I'm not sure if you can call ahead to book(I hadn't anticipated going, so I didn't do that). If you have a couple of hours (besides the ride and getting back to the airport, it should be ok. Have fun!

Hello all!

I will be visiting the US for New Year's, and our groups is contemplating a day trip to MEM on 30/12 or thereabouts. Due to other people arriving from Europe, we'll have to be back at ORD for the aftrenoons. For this reason the following flights would be the only option (and UA is the only option for us):

*United Express*
UA 5831 Canadair
Departure: ORD 8:30
Arrival: MEM 10:15
Non-stop First Class - F

*United Express*
UA 6837 Canadair
Departure: MEM 14:33
Arrival: ORD 16:30
Non-stop First Class - F

(i) Enough time for Graceland?
So the question is, would this leave enough time to visit Graceland?
https://www.elvis.com/graceland/
- I know it's not a lot of time in any case, but 1hour there would be better than no visit at all

(ii) Method of transport?
And what is the fastest way to travel between MEM and Graceland? Taxi or rental car? How much are we looking at (3 people)?

Thank you very much for your replies!
okko

I visited Graceland once when my flight was seriously delayed. Graceland is about a 10 minute taxi ride from the airport. I had to beg at the ticket counter to get in on an early tour. I'm not sure if you can call ahead to book(I hadn't anticipated going, so I didn't do that). If you have a couple of hours (besides the ride and getting back to the airport, it should be ok. Have fun!

BoyAreMyArmsTired,

thank you very much for the info!

10 minutes by taxi! That's excellent news, cheers ^
I figured out it's got to be close to MEM.

You can book Graceland tix ahead, btw. we're definitely going now!

I'm a native Memphian, and go back often to see family. I seem to recall that there's now an Interstate Barbecue outpost in the Memphis airport. I don't know how its quality compares to the original Interstate, but if you have time after Graceland, it might be worth a taste, just to put maximum Memphis experience into minimum time! Good luck with your trip....

Bumping thread - Taxis are probably easy to get at the airport, but are they readily available at Graceland? I have a 5 hr layover and figure I can go see something while I wait. Doable? How long is the mansion tour?

Bumping thread - Taxis are probably easy to get at the airport, but are they readily available at Graceland? I have a 5 hr layover and figure I can go see something while I wait. Doable? How long is the mansion tour?
There is a taxi stand at Graceland. It could take about 10 minutes to catch a taxi. Allow 15 minutes to the airport in traffic. The mansion tour is a self guided audio tour and takes about three hours. You can take less time or more time depending on your available time. There are also two airplanes and some other museums there as well but they cost more as they are a seperate tour from the mansion tour. Have fun!

It also might be possible to arrange a pick-up time with the driver that delivers you. You could ask as you're dropped off.

Ok, for those of you familiar with Memphis, what should I expect for round-trip time to the casinos in Tunica? Is there a 24-hour shuttle from the airport, or would renting a car be the best way?

Unfortunately, I've found myself over-nighting in strange airports during my ORD-CLT runs (like DEN!), and if this happens again, I'd like to know alternate routes to suggest that get me out of ORD for the night, and overnight somewhere with the potential for some gambling action while I wait for the early AM flight.

I know I can do this in Detroit, (and Tulsa, I guess) but want to know my options without having to go all the way to LAS (I was once offered ORD-LAS-CLT as a routing on a stormy evening when all eastbound flights from ORD were cancelled)

It also might be possible to arrange a pick-up time with the driver that delivers you. You could ask as you're dropped off.Excellent idea - if the specific driver is not able to make the pick-up, get a business card with the cab company's number on it and place your order for the return cab before you begin the tour.

Another thought - check the Web for a detailed description of the tour - with some pre-planning, you should be able to plan your "strategy" so that you see the things that most interest you.

Ok, for those of you familiar with Memphis, what should I expect for round-trip time to the casinos in Tunica? Is there a 24-hour shuttle from the airport, or would renting a car be the best way?

Unfortunately, I've found myself over-nighting in strange airports during my ORD-CLT runs (like DEN!), and if this happens again, I'd like to know alternate routes to suggest that get me out of ORD for the night, and overnight somewhere with the potential for some gambling action while I wait for the early AM flight.

I know I can do this in Detroit, (and Tulsa, I guess) but want to know my options without having to go all the way to LAS (I was once offered ORD-LAS-CLT as a routing on a stormy evening when all eastbound flights from ORD were cancelled)

I would suggest a car rental. Tunica is about a 45 to 60 minute drive from the Memphis airport.

Other airports with known gambling opportunities in short distance are MCI, STL, and MSY.