International travel tips
Use these tips to travel smarter and safer when traveling abroad.
- A new study analyzed the 50 busiest airports in North America to determine the most and least expensive airports for travelers.
- The analysis took into account the cost of drinks at the airport, nearby hotels, and parking to calculate the total cost.
- New York’s LaGuardia Airport was the most expensive, while Mexico’s Tijuana International Airport was the least expensive.
Are you ready to plan your vacation? Your wallet is probably ready too.
Many Americans travel for fun or to see family during the busy holiday season, but this also means they face peak travel costs. Add to that cost the cost of transportation to the airport, meals, and hotel stays, and your budget may seem expensive.
How much your air travel ultimately costs will also depend on which airport you depart from. Certain airports in North America are more expensive than others, not just for tickets but also for often forgotten expenses like parking and food.
To help travelers determine how much they can spend, Casino.ca’s experts analyzed the 50 busiest North American airports using average prices for drinks, hotels, and parking at the airport from data collected in June. According to the study, some of the largest hub airports in the United States are the most expensive, while Mexico also has cheaper airports.
“We analyzed the fees and transportation costs associated with the 50 busiest airports in North America,” said Casino.ca expert Lara Wilson. “We strongly encourage travelers, especially families and large groups, to understand these expenses before booking.” said in a statement to USA TODAY.
“Considering alternative routes or more cost-effective travel options can make a big difference to your budget,” she added. (Travelers may earn better rewards by flying on weekdays instead of weekends and by setting up price trackers to alert them when ticket prices drop.)
Here are the best and least affordable airports in North America.
Top 10 most expensive airports in North America
Below are the most expensive airports, based on the average price per beer, one night’s parking, and a hotel per night.
- LaGuardia Airport, New York, NY: $381.41
- Denver International Airport, Denver, Colorado: $351.41
- Logan International Airport, Boston, Massachusetts: $335.91
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Dallas, Texas: $325.05
- John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, NY: $309.55
- San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, California: $301.58
- San Diego International Airport, San Diego, California: $282.13
- Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida: $292.90
- Calgary International Airport, Calgary, Canada: $259.07
- Midway International Airport, Chicago, Illinois: $258.10
10 Cheapest Airports in North America
Here are the cheapest airports for travelers in North America, based on the price of a beer, a night in an airport hotel, and a night of parking.
- Tijuana International Airport, Tijuana, Mexico: $105.80
- William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas: $122.95
- Cancun International Airport, Cancun, Mexico: $128.06
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, New Orleans, Louisiana: $142.53
- Guadalajara International Airport, Guadalajara, Mexico: $143.59
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix, Arizona: $146.41
- Monterrey International Airport, Monterrey, Mexico: $153.28
- Mexico City International Airport, Mexico City, Mexico: $156.19
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport (Raleigh, North Carolina): $160.21
- Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah: $165.43
