by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors
October 14, 2025
Hidden airport prices are sneaking up on each traveler
Pockets getting lighter earlier than you even board your flight? You’re not alone; a lot of vacationers face the identical subject: They enter the airport and their cash takes off earlier than they do. Means.com shares a better have a look at the hidden airport prices and the way to dodge them.
Typical prices at an airport
For those who’re an air traveler, you could be stunned that flight tickets aren’t the one factor you’re charged for on the airport. So, what are these further prices? To place it briefly, the whole lot from bottled water to parking goes to value you rather more than you anticipated. After an off-the-cuff stroll across the airport, likelihood is that your pre-flight strolling might need already value you as much as $100. With further bills creeping in, your airport invoice is perhaps a shocker by the point you’re taking off.
Why have airport prices skyrocketed?
The reason being not only one, however a number of. Ranging from excessive lease and fee to COVID-19, the whole lot has contributed to the rise in airport prices.
COVID-19: In line with the ACI-NA (Airports Council Worldwide – North America), U.S. airports have misplaced greater than $20 billion from 2020 to 2022. This decline on account of decrease passenger site visitors and a scarcity of employees resulted in a rise in total prices for the whole lot contained in the airport.
Excessive lease and fee: Since Airport areas are restricted and the competitors is intense, naturally, the lease and fee improve. With this, there’s additionally a gradual improve within the gadgets being offered.
Labor Price and inflation: In line with ARRA (Airport Restaurant and Retail Affiliation), the hourly wages and supervisor salaries rose greater than their gross sales. To match it with the income, they’ve elevated the value of their merchandise.
Logistics and provide value: Supply fees to those locations are on the upper aspect as a result of these automobiles should move by means of safety and a number of ranges of clearance to enter.
Captive clients: As soon as inside, the shopper can’t simply go outdoors to discover a cheaper meals spot or companies. Distributors know this effectively, which leads them to extend the value.
Breaking down the hidden bills
From espresso to check-in, discover out all of the spots the place you’re emptying your pockets. Even a brief journey by means of the terminals could make your cash slip away. Listed here are some hidden further fees you would possibly encounter on the airport.
Costly Meals and Drinks
It is a standard space the place individuals are inclined to overspend. Take into account that on account of rising operational fees and different causes, meals and drinks are fairly costly contained in the airport. Espresso prices 10 to fifteen% extra on the airport, round $4 to $7, whereas sandwiches are round $12.
Speedy Screening Prices
Vacationers who hate ready would possibly want enrolling in TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, or World Entry to skip the lengthy, tiring queue. Nonetheless, the minimal charge for a five-year membership to TSA PreCheck enrollment is $76.75, whereas World Entry fees $120 for 5 years. Alternatively, for CLEAR, it’s $209 per 12 months. Do not forget that the charge modifications based on the enrollment supplier, so make sure that to decide on the correct one for you.
Parking
Airports cost excessive parking charges to cowl their operational and upkeep prices. Airports like Baltimore/Washington Worldwide (BWI), Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide (SEA), and Phoenix Sky Harbor Worldwide (PHX) have elevated their parking fees, making it costlier for vacationers with automobiles to commute.
SEA: Normal each day parking has elevated from $34 to $37, and terminal direct each day parking has elevated from $42 to $47.
PHX: Day by day parking has elevated from $30 to $33.
BWI: Elevated their each day parking charges from $12 to $16.
Baggage and Further Price
Airways at the moment are charging further charges for ancillary companies corresponding to carry-on luggage, checked baggage, and seat alternatives. A current examine revealed that airways earned $33 billion from baggage charges alone, whereas one other report confirmed that main airways collected $12.4 billion for seat choice from 2018 to 2023. Keep in mind that these fees differ based on the area and airline.
Actual value comparisons (airport vs metropolis)
Which airports are doing it proper?
Some airports are truthful and wouldn’t value you a fortune after a fast stroll. Portland Worldwide Airport (PDX) is one among them. Over right here, the vacationers are comfy and aren’t involved about overpriced gadgets. That is because of the ‘road pricing coverage’ adopted/integrated by the airport authority. The coverage ensures that gadgets and companies value the identical as they do outdoors the airport. The coverage has been energetic for a very long time, and since then, PDX has been a pacesetter in truthful airport pricing.
Subsequent on the record is Salt Lake Metropolis Worldwide Airport (SLC), the place the ‘road pricing coverage’ involves the rescue. The coverage was introduced right here after understanding that it labored at PDX. If a vendor right here needs to extend the value, they need to notify the airport authorities and supply them with correct proof that the road costs have been additionally elevated.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey began implementing new pricing insurance policies after the widespread public outrage over inflated costs. All NYC Airports, LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark, now have a restrict set/set restrict on concession costs. The distributors are solely allowed to cost as much as 10% above town road costs. As well as, they’re additionally requested to supply inexpensive choices on their menus, that are monitored and audited to make sure truthful pricing and keep transparency.
Sensible journey hacks: Lower your airport prices
Now that you already know all of the airport secrets and techniques, questioning how to not repeat the identical errors? Listed here are just a few hacks to assist avoid sneaky airport prices and to journey worry-free.
Hold an empty water bottle and convey your individual meals. This can assist you to get monetary savings on meals. As an alternative of shopping for bottled water, use the water filter system on the airport.
Have the whole lot you want with you, even earlier than you begin your trip to the airport—last-minute purchases are a giant no-no.
Skip seat choice in case you are comfy with any seats, since these can value an extra $20.
Prepay for all of your luggage on-line, as some airways cost further should you determine to pay on the airport.
Reserve your spot early to maintain your pockets completely happy. Off-site parking tons provide higher parking choices at a less expensive charge.
Keep away from shopping for a lounge day move until you might have a protracted layover and really want some relaxation. If not, paying an additional $50 for a short time is barely value it.
Change to cellular boarding passes and keep away from printing them on the airport. Some airways, like Frontier, would possibly cost you an extra $25 charge for a printed move.
As an alternative of breaking the financial institution on costly lounges, make use of complimentary airport facilities.
This story was produced by Means.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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