The Cheapest U.S. Airports to Fly From

Everyone wants a good deal on travel. Chances are you already compare airlines before choosing the best price, but what about comparing airports? Something as simple as picking the airport in the next city over could save you hundreds of dollars.

We analyzed the United States Department of Transportation’s list of the busiest airports to find out which ones have, on average, the cheapest airline tickets. It’s important to note that airfare can fluctuate depending on the time of year and the demand. You can always check for current deals at websites like Cheapflights and Skyscanner.

Out of the 50 busiest airports in the U.S., the following 10 were the cheapest to fly from during 2023. To see how some of your local airports stack up against the competition, check out the complete list of the 441 busiest U.S. airports and their average airfares. In 2023, the national airfare average was $367.79.

10. Miami International Airport, Florida (MIA)

Miami international airport with flags of different countries. — Credit: mariakray/ Shutterstock

Florida is, without a doubt, the cheapest state to fly through (on average), securing four out of ten spots on the list. The Miami International Airport is the tenth cheapest airport in the country, with an average airfare cost of around $324.73, and is the largest airport in southern Florida. With over 90 air carriers, MIA is the second-busiest airport for international flights in the U.S., offering more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other airport in the country. Aside from its international layover popularity, MIA is the most convenient airport to fly into for popular tourist destinations like Miami Beach, the Florida Keys, and the Everglades.

9. Tampa International Airport, Florida (TPA)

Downtown Tampa skyline with plane taking off over river. — Credit: TriggerPhoto/ iStock

The Tampa International Airport serves the Tampa-St. Petersburg Metropolitan Area, a vibrant Gulf Coast community known for its pristine beaches. TPA came in ninth on our list with an average airfare of $324.15. Not only is TPA inexpensive compared to other Florida Gulf Coast airports, but it also offers flights to around 85 domestic and international destinations, giving passengers a range of options for their journey. You can also be sure you’ll travel comfortably through TPA. In 2023, it ranked third among the readers of Travel and Leisure Magazine for their favorite U.S. airports.

8. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Louisiana (MSY)

People walking down escalators at airport terminal. — Credit: Elliott Cowand Jr/ Shutterstock

Not only does New Orleans’ international airport offer great deals on airfare but it was also named North America’s best airport (for the second year in a row) at the 2022 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) awards. With a brand new terminal that opened in 2019, MSY offers direct access to the Big Easy, known for its food, culture, and historic French Quarter neighborhood. It is also close to other Gulf Coast destinations like Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama. A flight through MSY costs roughly $315.53, putting this airport at number eight on our list.

7. LaGuardia Airport, New York (LGA)

JetBlue airplanes at Terminal B of New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in the United States. — Credit: Markus Mainka/ Shutterstock

Located in the New York City borough of Queens, LaGuardia offers direct access to Brooklyn and Manhattan, so it’s hardly surprising that LGA is the 14th busiest airport in the country. It's also 10 miles closer to the city than fellow Queens airport, the John F. Kennedy International Airport, and is, on average, the less expensive choice, averaging $309.38 for airfare, while JFK (the 12th-busiest U.S. airport) averages around $396.42. During your next trip to LaGuardia, swing by the newly renovated Terminal B, which was recently named the world’s best new airport terminal by a passenger survey conducted by Skytrax.

6. Oakland International Airport, California (OAK)

Aerial view of Oakland International Airpot in Oakland, CA. — Credit: TierneyMJ/ Shutterstock

Serving the San Francisco Bay area, the Oakland International Airport is the only California airport on our list. Boasting an average airfare of $304.59, this airport should be your first choice when considering a trip to the central coast of California. Its proximity to downtown San Francisco (just a 25-minute drive) makes it a no-brainer for easy travel. OAK is also only an hour from Napa and the surrounding wine country, two hours from Big Sur, and three hours from Lake Tahoe.

5. Chicago Midway International Airport, Illinois (MDW)

People walking through Concourse A at Chicago Midway International Airport. — Credit: Bob Pool/ Shutterstock

Not to be confused with the Windy City’s other prominent airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago Midway International Airport is located just southeast of O’Hare (the second-busiest airport in the U.S.) but boasts better flight deals, averaging around $296.80, compared to O’Hare’s $363.95 average fare. MDW offers 190 daily direct routes to 74 U.S. destinations and international direct flights to Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and Canada. It is also Southwest Airlines’ second-busiest airport, offering 77 routes on this airline alone.

4. Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport, Puerto Rico (SJU)

Cars driving by terminal entrance. — Credit: Andrew Woodley/ Alamy Stock Photo

The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico is one of the most popular Caribbean vacation destinations. The beaches are lined with all-inclusive resorts, and the airfare is far more affordable than that of other beach getaways. A flight to San Juan (the capital city of Puerto Rico) through the Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport averages around $271.24, and from there, ground transportation can be arranged through your resort (sometimes at no additional cost), making SJU a convenient option.

3. Harry Reid International Airport, Nevada (LAS)

Plane taking off in front of Las Vegas skyline. — Credit: Kit Leong/ Shutterstock

Sin City is the cheapest city to fly to in the western United States, averaging around $264.38 per ticket. The Harry Reid International Airport is just two miles from the Las Vegas Strip, giving the airport the added benefit of one of the fastest airport commutes in the country. Spend that extra time at the slot machines located throughout the airport; you are in Vegas, after all. LAS is also the 13th-busiest airport in the country and offers direct international flights, including routes to Asia, Europe, and Central America.

2. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Florida (FLL)

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport entrance. — Credit: Markus Mainka/ Shutterstock

This Broward County airport is the 20th busiest in the country, offering direct access to some of the most popular beach communities on the Atlantic Coast, from West Palm Beach (an hour north) to Miami Beach (30 minutes south). With average airfares around $256.33, it is an excellent option for many regional travelers. FLL offers direct flights to 60 U.S. cities and routes to various international locations throughout Canada, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, and Europe.

1. Orlando International Airport, Florida (MCO)

Panoramic view of Terminal A , Parking building A at Orlando International Airport — Credit: VIAVAL TOURS/ Shutterstock

The busiest airport on our list (and the eighth-busiest in the country) is also the cheapest to fly out of, with an average airfare of $254.52. This central Florida hub connects tourists with some of the most popular destinations in the state, including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Orlando itself is the third most-visited city in the country. MCO is situated just six miles southeast of downtown Orlando but is also just an hour and a half drive from Tampa and 45 minutes from Port Canaveral, one of the most popular cruise ports in the country.