The general rule of thumb seems to be: smaller airports near larger metropolitan areas are your best bet for good prices while small, isolated airports tend to be more expensive. However, travel experts tend to say that the best deal on airfare is the one that makes the most sense to you.

Generally, bigger airports tend to be cheaper for travelers because they benefit from high flight frequency and intense airline competition. Major hubs like Atlanta (ATL) or London Heathrow (LHR) host dozens of competing airlines, which often leads to lower fares on popular routes. Additionally, bigger airports are more likely to serve as hubs for budget carriers like Southwest or Ryanair, driving prices down across the board. However, smaller airports can sometimes be cheaper if they are served exclusively by ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) that avoid high landing fees at major hubs. For example, flying into Orlando Sanford (SFB) might be cheaper than Orlando International (MCO) because of lower operational costs for the airline. On the other hand, small regional airports with limited service often have higher prices because one or two dominant airlines control the market. When calculating total cost, travelers should also factor in "ground transportation"; while a flight to a smaller, distant airport might be cheaper, the cost of a long taxi or shuttle ride to the city center can sometimes offset those savings.