Travelers often find that airport food, transit, and overnight parking push total trip expenses far beyond the price of a flight ticket, USA Today reported.
A study released by Casino.ca examined average prices for an airport beer, a night of parking, and a nearby hotel stay at 50 of the busiest North American travel hubs, according to USA Today. The analysis evaluated expenses for trips scheduled in July 2026 to determine which facilities offer the most budget-friendly options and which charge the highest rates.
“Before you even board your flight, costs like parking, hotel stays, and even a simple beer can seriously inflate your travel budget,” Casino.ca stated in the study.
California and New York airports dominate the top of the price rankings for July 2026. John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California, recorded the highest combined average cost at $491.80 for a beer, parking, and a hotel night.
LaGuardia Airport in New York City followed with an average total of $370.49. William P. Hobby Airport in Houston reached $365.45, while Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario, Canada, averaged $341.02.
Salt Lake City International Airport registered $338.45, Newark Liberty International Airport reached $321.45, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport totaled $301.31. San Francisco International Airport averaged $272.67, Miami International Airport cost $259.91, and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu recorded $257.46.
Major hubs in the Southern United States and Mexico offer the lowest ancillary travel expenses. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ranked as the least expensive facility, with a combined average of $118.47.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport closely followed at $118.93, while Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport averaged $121.60. Washington Dulles International Airport recorded $126.82, and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport totaled $138.88.
Cancún International Airport in Mexico averaged $140.15, Portland International Airport reached $141.84, and Denver International Airport cost $144.03. Nashville International Airport registered $149.54, and Monterrey International Airport in Apodaca, Mexico, totaled $161.95.