These are the most expensive airports in the U.S., per a new study
Aside from the actual vacation itself, a trip to the airport alone will cost you a pretty penny before your travels can even officially begin. But not all airports were created equally, or economically, for that matter: A new study by Casino.ca reveals the most and least affordable airports in North America, tallying the average cost for everything from a one-night hotel stay to overnight parking to that pre-plane pint of beer.
The most expensive airport in the U.S.? It's unsurprisingly set in New York City: that would be LaGuardia Airport in Queens. Parking there is $37 a day, while a beer inside will cost an average of $12. If you stay overnight at one of the nearby hotels, the average nightly rate is $332. At that price, you'd want to stay at a fabulous new award-winning hotel instead of an hour-burner.
The second most expensive travel hub is Denver International Airport, where parking is $32, a beer is seven bucks, and the close-by hotels run $312 per night. In third place is Boston's Logan International, with $27 parking, a $7 pint and $303 hotel rooms.
Let's make ourselves feel better and look at the other end of the scale. The cheapest U.S. airport on the list is Houston's William P. Hobby airport—there, you can spend a more reasonable $14 for parking and $8 for a pre-boarding beer and drop just $101 on that hotel stay.
The second least expensive is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport ($16 parking, $6 beer, $120 hotel), while the third-place finisher is Phoenix Sky Harbor International ($30 parking, $7 beer, $109 hotel).
Most expensive beer overall? That's LaGuardia's $12 pour.
Least pricey? Portland International (Oregon, not Maine) at a little over $4.
Most expensive parking overall? Nashville International at $42 a day.
Least costly William P. Hobby's $14.
Most expensive hotel overall? $332 at LaGuardia.
Least wallet-testing? William P. Hobby's $101.
As for the methodology behind the ranking, the beer cost was calculated using a 20-ounce Budweiser averaged across three different drink menus at each airport. Hotel prices were averaged from the three hotels that were determined to be closest to each airport. And parking prices were based on leaving your car in economy lots at the airport. All pricing was gathered for the same projected future date to be fair: July 26–27, 2025.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out
a day ago
- Time Out
Miami International Airport was ranked one of the most expensive airports in the U.S.
If you thought your sun-soaked Miami getaway was expensive, just wait until you try to leave. According to a new 2025 study ranking the most and least affordable airports in North America, Miami International Airport snagged a spot near the top of the 'most expensive' list, making it one of the priciest places to start (or end) your travels this summer. The ranking, compiled by analyzed the total average cost of a single night's airport hotel stay, overnight parking and a pint of beer at 50 of the busiest airports across North America. Spoiler: MIA didn't exactly come in cheap. Miami landed just behind Nashville and LaGuardia for the most expensive parking, at a hefty $41 a night, well above the $26.51 average across all airports. Add to that a beer that'll run you close to $11 and nearby hotel rates hovering far above budget territory, and suddenly your departure lounge vibes start to feel less 'luxury' and more 'liability.' In total, MIA joins a group of airports (including Boston Logan and Denver International) that are practically their own luxury destinations—just not in a good way. While airports like Tijuana and Cancun boast budget-friendly rates on all fronts (including beers under $8 and hotels under $100), Miami travelers get hit with vacation costs before even clearing TSA. Why does this matter? With more than 790 million North American passengers expected to fly this summer, these sneaky add-ons—like a $12 lager or $300 crash pad—can start to drain your vacation fund before you even take off. And considering airline ticket prices have spiked 25-percent since 1989, travelers are more cost-conscious than ever. So, what can you do if you're flying through Miami? Plan ahead. Book parking in advance, consider hotels farther from the terminal and maybe skip that airport bar beer in favor of something tropical once you land. Miami may be a destination worth splurging on, but MIA's extras are a reminder that not all travel costs are in your control.
Time Out
2 days ago
- Time Out
These are the most expensive airports in the U.S., per a new study
Aside from the actual vacation itself, a trip to the airport alone will cost you a pretty penny before your travels can even officially begin. But not all airports were created equally, or economically, for that matter: A new study by reveals the most and least affordable airports in North America, tallying the average cost for everything from a one-night hotel stay to overnight parking to that pre-plane pint of beer. The most expensive airport in the U.S.? It's unsurprisingly set in New York City: that would be LaGuardia Airport in Queens. Parking there is $37 a day, while a beer inside will cost an average of $12. If you stay overnight at one of the nearby hotels, the average nightly rate is $332. At that price, you'd want to stay at a fabulous new award-winning hotel instead of an hour-burner. The second most expensive travel hub is Denver International Airport, where parking is $32, a beer is seven bucks, and the close-by hotels run $312 per night. In third place is Boston's Logan International, with $27 parking, a $7 pint and $303 hotel rooms. Let's make ourselves feel better and look at the other end of the scale. The cheapest U.S. airport on the list is Houston's William P. Hobby airport—there, you can spend a more reasonable $14 for parking and $8 for a pre-boarding beer and drop just $101 on that hotel stay. The second least expensive is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport ($16 parking, $6 beer, $120 hotel), while the third-place finisher is Phoenix Sky Harbor International ($30 parking, $7 beer, $109 hotel). Most expensive beer overall? That's LaGuardia's $12 pour. Least pricey? Portland International (Oregon, not Maine) at a little over $4. Most expensive parking overall? Nashville International at $42 a day. Least costly William P. Hobby's $14. Most expensive hotel overall? $332 at LaGuardia. Least wallet-testing? William P. Hobby's $101. As for the methodology behind the ranking, the beer cost was calculated using a 20-ounce Budweiser averaged across three different drink menus at each airport. Hotel prices were averaged from the three hotels that were determined to be closest to each airport. And parking prices were based on leaving your car in economy lots at the airport. All pricing was gathered for the same projected future date to be fair: July 26–27, 2025.
Time Out
2 days ago
- Time Out
This New York airport was ranked the most expensive airport in the whole country
LaGuardia has come a long way from being dubbed the 'third-world airport' of New York. Thanks to a multi-billion-dollar makeover that wrapped earlier this year, the Queens-based travel hub now boasts state-of-the-art terminals, sleek lounges and even a Delta Sky Club that feels more five-star hotel than departure hall. But all that shiny newness comes at a steep cost—and not just to the Port Authority's budget. According to a new report by ranking the most and least affordable airports in North America, LaGuardia Airport is now officially the most expensive airport on the continent. Researchers tallied the average cost of a one-night hotel stay, overnight parking and a single pint of pre-flight beer, and LaGuardia topped the list with a whopping $381.41 tab. So, where's your money going? Nearby hotel rates average a staggering $332 per night, which is $167 more than the national airport average. Overnight parking will set you back another $37. And if you're hoping to calm your travel nerves with a drink, expect to pay $12.41 for a brewski, second only to Cancun International's record-setting $14.92. Rounding out the top three were Denver International Airport, with a total cost of $351.41 and Boston Logan at $335.91. Meanwhile, Tijuana International Airport in Mexico claimed the crown for affordability with an all-in cost of just $105.08, thanks to budget-friendly hotel and parking rates and beers under $8. With airfares already up 25-percent—the steepest increase since 1989—these hidden pre-flight expenses are catching more travelers off guard. And while LaGuardia's new amenities may dazzle, they're clearly not doing your wallet any favors.
