Travelers passing through New York City’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) might want to skip the pre-flight beer – or take out a small loan. A recent report says a pint of beer at LaGuardia costs an eye-watering $12.41 on average, making it one of the most expensive places in the US to grab a brew before your flight.
This is on top of rising flight ticket prices, which have gone up over 25% recently. Factor in the cost of your hotel and other travel expenses, and a weekend getaway can start to feel pretty pricey.
Sure, airports are known for having marked-up food and drinks, but $12 for a beer? That’s a bit much! At least you can enjoy the new facilities at LaGuardia – the Port Authority recently invested a whopping $8 billion in renovations.
For those who simply must have that pre-flight beer, there is a little bit of good news. If you’re flying out of one of New York City’s other major airports, John F. Kennedy (JFK) or Newark Liberty International (EWR), you can expect to pay a little less – around $9 for a pint.
But beware, even if you avoid LaGuardia’s sky-high beer prices, New York City in general is an expensive place to travel. All three of the city’s major airports are considered to be among the most expensive in the US, factoring in things like parking, hotels, and other costs.
The Cheapest and Most Expensive Places for Airport Beers
Looking beyond New York, the cheapest place in the US to grab an airport beer is Portland, where a pint will only set you back $4.41 (thanks to all the local breweries there!). On the other end of the spectrum, Cancun International Airport boasts the most expensive airport beer in the US at a whopping $14.92 per pint.
The average American pays between $7 and $8 for a beer at the airport, but if you’re flying out of one of the most expensive airports, you can expect to pay over $8.30 for a pint.
Across the pond in the UK, things are a little different. A recent study found that beer prices at most UK airports are lower than in the US. So, maybe American travelers are getting a bit ripped off at the airport bar.
