When planning a trip, airfare, accommodations, and meals are significant factors in a travel budget. Airports typically aren’t a cost consideration, but a new study shows some are more affordable than others. Here’s the data and rankings — some might surprise you.
What the study took into consideration
The study, conducted by Casino.ca, considered costs such as parking, meals, and hotels. A New York City area airport led the rankings, with LaGuardia Airport (LGA) charging $37 per day to park and offering a beer for around $12. Surrounding accommodations have lofty prices too, averaging $332 per night.
Second place went to Denver International Airport (DEN), with a daily parking rate of $32, a beer costing $7, and nearby hotels at $312 a night. Rounding out the top three was Boston Logan International Airport (LOG), with $27 daily parking, $7 beers, and nightly accommodations at $303.
On the other hand, some airports proved much more economical. The thriftiest U.S. airport was Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), where parking costs $14, a beer is $7, and a hotel room runs $101. The second most frugal airport was Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), offering $6 parking, a $6 beer, and a $120 hotel room. Next was Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) which charges $30 for parking, $7 for a beer, and $109 for hotel accommodations.
The study then zeroed in on the three metrics (parking, beer, and hotel), naming the highest and lowest among airports.
Most expensive beer: $12 at LaGuardia
Least expensive beer: $4 at Portland International Airport (Oregon)
Most expensive parking: $42 at Nashville International
Least expensive parking: $14 at William P. Hobby
Most expensive hotels: $332 at LaGuardia
Least expensive hotels: $101 at William P. Hobby
