What is the cheapest airport to fly out of in the US?

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) has the lowest average airfare in the country at about $265 per ticket. Orlando International (MCO) is second at approximately $276. Both benefit from intense airline competition in the Florida market.

Is it cheaper to fly out of a smaller airport?

Often, yes. Secondary airports like Oakland (vs. SFO), Burbank (vs. LAX), and Long Beach (vs. LAX) typically have lower fares because budget carriers dominate them. However, very small airports with limited competition can actually be more expensive due to lack of carrier options.

How much can I save by choosing a different airport?

Choosing a cheaper departure airport can save $50-150 or more per ticket. The gap is largest when comparing a budget-carrier-heavy airport (like Fort Lauderdale or Oakland) against a hub-dominated airport in the same region. Always factor in ground transportation costs to get the true savings.

Why are Florida airports so cheap to fly from?

Florida airports benefit from intense airline competition driven by massive tourist demand. Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa all have multiple budget and legacy carriers fighting for passengers, which drives fares down. The high volume of flights also means more seat availability and more fare sales.

Does it matter what day I fly to get the cheapest fare?

Yes. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the cheapest days to fly domestically. Fridays and Sundays are the most expensive because of weekend leisure and business travel demand. Using the calendar view on Google Flights shows you the cheapest dates at a glance.

Cheapest Airports to Fly Out Of

The Cheapest Airports to Fly Out Of in the US

The airport you fly from can swing your ticket price by $100 or more. Some airports consistently offer lower fares because of airline competition, budget carrier presence, or just geography. If you're flexible on your departure airport, this list could save you real money.

The 10 Cheapest US Airports by Average Airfare

1. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) - ~$265 average

Fort Lauderdale has the cheapest average airfare of any major US airport. The reason is simple: intense competition. Spirit, JetBlue, Southwest, Frontier, and the major carriers all battle for South Florida passengers, which drives prices down across the board.

FLL is particularly cheap for Caribbean and Latin American destinations. If you're in the Miami area, compare FLL fares against MIA before booking. The savings can be substantial, especially for leisure travel.

The trade-off: FLL has a high delay rate and some of the most crowded, dated terminals among Florida airports.

2. Orlando International (MCO) - ~$276 average

Orlando's massive tourism industry means airlines compete aggressively on pricing. Every major carrier and most budget airlines serve MCO, creating constant fare wars. Flights to and from the Northeast are particularly competitive.

The downside is that MCO leads the country in lost luggage, with a mishandling rate 63% higher than the national average. Use tracking devices in your checked bags.

3. Long Beach (LGB) - Budget-friendly alternative to LAX

Long Beach is a small airport with a big advantage: JetBlue and Southwest dominate the gates. Without the congestion and operational overhead of LAX, fares tend to be lower. The airport itself is tiny and easy to navigate, with security lines measured in minutes rather than hours.

If you're in the greater Los Angeles area, checking Long Beach fares before defaulting to LAX can yield surprising savings, especially to Southwest and JetBlue destinations.

4. Oakland International (OAK) - Budget alternative to SFO

Oakland serves as the Bay Area's budget airport. Southwest has a major presence, and Spirit and Frontier also operate from OAK. Fares to Las Vegas, Southern California, and Pacific Northwest cities are consistently cheaper than SFO or SJC.

BART connects Oakland Airport to downtown San Francisco, making it accessible even if you're staying in the city. The 30-minute ride costs a fraction of what you'd spend on a taxi to SFO.

5. San Jose International (SJC) - ~$336 average

San Jose offers average airfares nearly $48 below the national average. The airport is smaller and less congested than SFO, with strong competition from Southwest, Alaska, and budget carriers. It's the best option for South Bay residents and anyone who wants to avoid SFO's fog delays.

6. Nashville International (BNA) - ~$357 average

Nashville's average airfare runs about $27 below the national average. The airport benefits from strong competition among low-cost and legacy carriers serving the growing Nashville market. It's also a pleasant airport with live music and solid food options.

7. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG) - ~$361 average

CVG fares run about $23 below the national average. The airport serves as a Frontier hub, which brings aggressive pricing on many routes. For travelers in the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana tristate area, CVG often beats the larger options in Columbus or Indianapolis on price.

8. LaGuardia (LGA) - ~$332 average

This one surprises people. LaGuardia, despite its reputation, has competitive fares because it's a heavily contested market. Delta, American, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, and Frontier all fight for New York passengers. That competition benefits flyers.

LGA is also the most convenient New York airport for Manhattan travelers, which means you save on ground transportation compared to JFK or Newark.

9. Burbank (BUR) - Budget alternative to LAX

Hollywood Burbank Airport is tiny, easy, and often cheaper than LAX for domestic routes. Southwest is the dominant carrier. The airport has no jet bridges (you walk down stairs to the tarmac), but that quirkiness comes with fast security, easy parking, and lower fares.

Fares from Burbank can start as low as $28 one-way to certain destinations during sales. For San Fernando Valley and Pasadena residents, Burbank is a no-brainer over fighting LAX traffic.

10. Tampa International (TPA) - Competitive Florida pricing

Tampa benefits from the same Florida competition dynamics as Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, but with a better airport experience. TPA is consistently rated one of the easiest airports to use in the country. Fares are competitive, especially for routes to the Northeast and Midwest.

Why Some Airports Are Cheaper

Airline competition: Airports with more carriers competing on the same routes have lower fares. Fort Lauderdale and Orlando epitomize this.
Budget carrier presence: Airports where Spirit, Frontier, Southwest, and JetBlue have strong operations see lower prices across all carriers, not just the budget ones.
Hub vs. non-hub: Hub airports (like Charlotte for American or Atlanta for Delta) can have higher fares on hub-dominated routes because one airline controls most of the gates.
Tourism demand: Airports serving major tourist destinations have high volume, which supports more flights and lower per-seat costs.

Most Expensive Airports to Avoid

On the flip side, some airports consistently charge a premium.

Smaller airports with limited competition: Airports with just one or two carriers have no price pressure. Think Aspen, Martha's Vineyard, or Jackson Hole.
Island airports: Hawaiian airports and airports serving remote destinations command higher fares because there's no alternative transportation.
Hub-dominated airports: When one airline controls 70%+ of an airport's gates, fares tend to be higher on routes without competition.

How to Find Cheap Flights From Any Airport

Search multiple airports. Google Flights lets you compare fares from nearby airports on the same search. Enter your city, and it'll show all airports within driving distance.
Be flexible on dates. Fare differences of $100+ between days of the week are common. Use the calendar view on Google Flights to spot the cheapest days.
Set fare alerts. Google Flights and Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) will notify you when fares drop on your preferred routes.
Consider the total cost. A $50 cheaper flight from a farther airport might not save you money after parking, gas, or rideshare costs. Do the math.
Book on Tuesday or Wednesday. These are statistically the cheapest days to fly domestically, which means more fare availability.

The Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale and Orlando are the cheapest major airports in the US. For budget-conscious travelers in major metro areas, secondary airports like Oakland, Burbank, Long Beach, and San Jose consistently offer lower fares than their larger neighbors. Always compare multiple airports in your region before booking.