Traveling is one of the best things in the world — nothing beats discovering a new city, chasing sunsets, or wandering through a local market and eating your way through it. But there’s one part of the journey that never feels quite as fun: airfare.
Even with tools like Skyscanner and Secret Flying making deal-hunting easier, finding affordable flights can still feel like a challenge. And with more than 370 commercial airports across the United States, prices can vary wildly — which leaves many travelers wondering: Which U.S. airports consistently offer the cheapest flights?
Take Honolulu International Airport, for example. Hawaii’s beaches might be paradise, but reaching them often comes with a premium. Still, for flexible travelers willing to explore different departure points, great deals are absolutely out there.
So with that in mind, let’s take a look at the top 10 airports that tend to offer the best value for your wallet.
Table of Contents
The Cheapest Airport To Fly Into In The United States
| Airport Ranking | Destination | Search Cheap Flights |
 First Place | Portland International Airport (PDX) | Search Flights To Portland |
 Second Place | Denver International Airport (DEN) | Search Flights To Denver |
 Third Place | Tampa International Airport (TPA) | Search Flights To Tampa |
Search Flight Deals Here!
The Cheapest Airports To Fly Into In The United States – Full List
Portland International Airport (PDX)
- Location: Portland, Oregon.
- Average Domestic Fare: $411
Portland International is a fantastic destination for those trying to save money. Travel + Leisure magazine has named it America’s Best Airport not only in 2025 but also since 2013. That’s impressive.
The airport has excellent links to downtown Portland, with a light rail connecting to 97 stations in the city. Not only is it the number 1 of the cheapest airports to fly into. They have a movie theatre, live performers, art exhibitions, and other entertainment.
You can’t get bored here! It’s great for those with some time to kill before a flight. There is also free Wi-Fi throughout all terminals.
Need to Book A Hotel in Portland?
Here are some of our favorite hotels in Portland
The Park Lane Suites and Inn – See the hotel here
Hotel Eastland – See the hotel here
Hotel Zags – See the hotel here
Looking for Free Accommodation in Portland?
Why not try house-sitting? We have been house sitters for the past four years and haven’t paid a cent for rent in that time!
That has saved us over 100k!
If you’re looking for the best house-sitting websites in the USA, check out our comprehensive guide!
Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Airport Location: Denver, Colorado
- Average Domestic Fare: $312
Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the United States.
It also claims the title of the longest public-use runway in the United States. Over 370 daily departures to around 140 destinations worldwide result in 58 million passengers annually.
Denver International Airport has lots of artwork. Lots of these theories have been the center of conspiracy theories. It’s an interesting way to spend a few hours on a layover. What to save even more? You can do house sitting for free rent all around the US! So you can save on flights and accommodation.
Dog lovers will have a great time at Denver International Airport. A pet resort includes a boarding facility, pet massage facility, and outdoor area, perfect for your little furry friend to have a run or do their business before the flight.
Want to Travel for Free?
If you’re wondering how YOU TO can travel for free, check out our guide on how to get into house sitting here
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- Airport Location: Tampa, Florida.
- Average Domestic Fare: $328
Tampa International Airport is by no means the biggest airport in the US. It is a little surprising to make it only the cheapest airport to fly into the list.
TPA took the top position in the J.D Power Airport Satisfaction Rankings for large airports in 2017. Impressive.
Tampa International is one of the cheapest in the USA and is home to a sleeping/ quiet area, a well-stocked library, and all the travel services you could ever need.
Not to mention, there are well-stocked amenities to keep you looking and feeling your best.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Airport Location: Phoenix, Arizona.
- Average Domestic Fare: $378
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport is one of the largest airports in the US. It serves a massive 43 million passengers per year.
The airport also claims one of the top 4 spots in the North American Airport Satisfaction Study 2017.
The cool thing about this airport is the amount of artwork in its terminals. The terminals house 900 works. Ranging from metal and ceramic sculptures to oil and acrylic paintings.
These works are part of the Phoenix Museum and house works by some of Arizona’s most renowned artists.
McCarran International Airport (LAS)
- Airport Location: Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Average Domestic Fare: $272
You wouldn’t expect to find Las Vegas on the list of the cheapest airports to fly into. Las Vegas McCarran International Airport sees over 47 million passengers per year.
Those passengers come in via 31 major airlines from the US and abroad.
If you can’t wait to get to the casino floors, McCarran International has over 1300 slot machines. What better way to see the time go by than getting money back for a free flight?
McCarran International has a good secret up its sleeve. It’s not entirely counting cards, but it is quite a tricky move. Instead of using bar codes, they use tiny copper microchips when checking in luggage.
Accuracy has risen from 80% to over 99% since implementing this technology.
Even more incredible is that only a handful of airports worldwide have this technology. How cool would it be if more airports adopted it?
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- Airport Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Average Domestic Fare: $270
Last on our list of the cheapest airports to fly into is Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood. It is the perfect airport for plane watching, with three great viewing platforms throughout the airport.
My favorite is the Hibiscus Garage Viewing Area. It’s a fantastic platform from which you get a bird’ s-eye view of the airport. It’s exciting to watch the airport’s day-to-day operations.
FLL is also one of the only airports anywhere (that I am aware of) that offers a luggage storage service. This is perfect for watching the planes take off or checking out the rest of the airport’s activities.
They also offer a second-to-none baggage wrapping service. For the small price of $15, they will wrap your bag.
This is not a normal wrapping service. This wrap comes with a guarantee that your luggage will not be damaged or lost. That’s a pretty sweet deal, if you ask me.
How To Get Cheaper Business Class Tickets?
Everyone wants to know what flying business or even first class is like.
There are other ways than collecting credit card points. So we have put together the steps for getting cheaper business class tickets. That way, you can feel like a boss when you travel for next to nothing!
How About House Sitting In The United States?
Hi yes this sounds like something my wife and I would enjoy doing, to be able to travel and work at the same time. Know how can we get started and do we have to pay for our flights. We are from Texas we could start in this area for now to get some references under our belt. Let me know more.
Thank Joel and cynthia
Salcedo
Hiya Joel! So happy your keen to start house sitting! We have a guide on how to get started house sitting as well as a Facebook community for people to share their experiences 🙂 I have put a link to both below 🙂 Let me know how you go!!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2064185653610284/
http://www.thetravellinghousesitters.com/how-to-become-a-house-sitter/
Hey guys,
Thanks for the awesome info on the cheapest airports, I think I am going to fly out of Tampa airports, its actually does seem like the best option and the cheapest!! Do you know if American Airlines is on the red side or blue side?
Rodney
Hi Rodney!!
No worries at all. American Airlines is on the blue side at Tampa airport. Let me know how you go, we love to share other peoples experiences at the airports and Florida!
Britt 🙂
Since Portland is the cheapest airports to fly into in The US it looks like I will be flying into Portland in a couple of weeks!
Have you ever thought about house sitting in Portland? That would make for a very cheap trip! Enjoy 🙂