For millions of Americans, flying isn’t just about getting from Point A to Point B anymore, but about surviving the costs in between. With passengers arriving earlier, lingering longer, and often grabbing meals inside terminals, airport spending has quietly become one of the most painful parts of travel. A quick coffee, a basic meal, or a short-term parking spot can now rival big-city prices, turning routine trips into surprisingly expensive experiences.
A new study by Private Tours England set out to identify exactly where those costs hit hardest. By analyzing average daily parking fees, meal prices, beer costs, and nearby hotel rates, the research reveals which U.S. airports are the most expensive places to pass through in 2026.
The 10 most expensive U.S. airports in 2026
LaGuardia Airport claims the top spot overall, driven by a perfect storm of sky-high parking, the most expensive beer in the study, and the priciest nearby hotels. Even though its average meal price sits lower than some competitors, the combined costs push LaGuardia far ahead of the pack.
Close behind are John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, making the New York metro area responsible for all three podium positions. All three airports charge $55 per day for parking, the highest in the study, meaning a long weekend trip can rack up more in parking fees than a budget flight itself. Newark stands out for its relatively higher meal prices, showing that food costs can swing widely even between neighboring airports.
Outside the Northeast, Los Angeles International Airport lands fourth, largely because of food prices that are in a category of their own. With average meals hitting $50, LAX proves that airport dining can feel more like a high-end restaurant than a grab-and-go pit stop. Boston Logan International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and Denver International Airport follow, each driven by different cost pressures, from pricey hotels to elevated drink prices.
Rounding out the top ten are Chicago O’Hare International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport. Detroit is a particularly interesting case: while its parking is among the cheapest in the top ten, its meal prices are among the highest, showing how food costs alone can significantly impact travelers’ budgets.
Stacey Hamilton, travel expert at Private Tours England, commented on the findings:
“Airports have become places where travelers are effectively a captive audience, and that’s reflected in the prices they’re paying for basics like food and parking. When you look at the data, it’s striking how quickly everyday items add up. A single beer, a simple meal, and a few hours of parking can easily cost more than people expect.”
“What surprises many travelers is that hotel prices near airports are often just as high as staying in the city itself, even though you’re usually there out of necessity, not comfort.”
“We’re seeing airports function almost like mini-cities now, but without the competition that keeps prices in check elsewhere. For frequent flyers, especially families or people traveling for work, these costs aren’t occasional annoyances. They’re recurring expenses that quietly inflate the price of travel.”
Methodology
This study analyzed four key cost metrics across major U.S. airports. Each metric was scaled and equally weighted at 25% to calculate a total cost score for each airport.
The metrics are:
- Average cost of parking per day
- Average cost of a meal
- Average cost of a beer
- Average cost of nearby hotels per night
Sources: AirportParking, FinanceBuzz, and Booking.
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