Is it Still Worth it for Canadians to Fly out of US Airports?

Planning a trip? Like everything, the cost of travel has increased exponentially over the past few years. So, how do Canadians cut costs and make the most of their travel budgets?

While some are booking with low-cost airlines in Canada, others are opting to fly out of the US, where flights are cheaper. But with inflation on the rise and the cost of gas skyrocketing, is flying out of the US still worth it for Canadians? Read on to find out.

Why fly out of the US?

In the US, the government subsidizes many of the passenger costs. Whereas, in Canada, we have some of the highest user fees in the world. We pay for fuel surcharges, airport fees, improvement fees, government fees, duties and sales tax whenever we fly.

Also, with a smaller population, fewer Ultra-Low Cost Carriers (ULCCs) and less competition, flying out of Canada tends to be more expensive.

There are many US airports near the Canadian border. So, depending on which Canadian city you’re travelling from, it may be faster and more convenient to fly out of the US. You’ll want to carefully consider the following before making your decision.

US airline fees

While travellers mostly fly out of US airports to take advantage of cheaper airfares, there may be other savings, too. Depending on the season/location, airfare can be more affordable in the US, but that’s not always the case. It’s always important to check sites like Google Flights or Expedia to compare the cost of flying from the US versus your closest Canadian airport to ensure it makes sense economically.

Time to travel to US airports

On top of airline fees, consider your time when thinking about flying from the US. If you have to drive far or battle rush hour traffic, it may not be worth the savings. How long will it take you to cross the border and get to and from the airport?

Use Google Maps to calculate driving times, along with checking the border wait times website to figure out how long it’ll take you to arrive. To reduce your wait time even more, consider applying for a Nexus card.

Also factor in airport arrival times. In the US, the TSA advises travellers to arrive at the airport two hours in advance to safely make their flight if they’re flying within the US and three hours for international travel.

Worried flight delays? If you’re a TuGo policyholder, sign-up for our complimentary MyFlyt^TM service!

Gas to drive to US airports

Gas prices have reached record highs. Unlike in past years, the cost of gas will likely impact your decision to fly out of the US. If you live close to your departure airport, it may be worth the cost of gas. Whereas driving further away may not be. You can calculate the cost of gas for your trip and even find savings with apps like gas buddy.

If you do decide to fly out of the US, here’s something handy; a guide to what you can bring back to Canada from the US.

Hotel stay near US airports

Although getting a hotel the night before your flight is an additional cost, it can provide peace of mind. Starting your journey well-rested is a bonus and you won’t need to stress about getting to the airport on time. Plus, many airport hotels offer free long-term parking which will help offset the cost of your room.

Tip: If you do decide to book a hotel for the night, be sure that your Emergency Medical insurance starts the day you leave your home province or Canada (depending on your travel insurance plan). In the US, a quick trip to the hospital could cost you a few hundred dollars, whereas adding an extra day to your insurance coverage will cost much less.

US Airports near Vancouver

Bellingham International Airport (BLI)

Just one hour away by car from Vancouver, BLI offers many cheap flights to the US’s West Coast and Hawaii. Las Vegas is the most popular destination out of Bellingham, but if you’re ok with a stopover, you can travel to most places in the US for a reasonable price.

Keep in mind: Although Allegiant Air is a discount carrier, they do charge a lot for extras. Be sure to add everything up to figure out if you’re really getting a better deal.

Destinations: Las Vegas, Honolulu, Kahului, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Denver
Carriers: Allegiant, Alaska Airlines Air, Southwest Airlines, San Juan Airlines
Parking: As low as $10 USD a day
Bus: Quick Shuttle  – As low as $35 CAD one way

Note: Don’t want to cross the border to fly? Check out cheap flights on Swoop from Abbotsford.

Planning on doing some shopping? Here’s how you can safely use credit cards when travelling.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

SEA is a major international hub and takes three-plus hours to drive to from Vancouver. This means you might just find cheaper prices and plenty of destinations to choose from.

Popular Destinations: Tokyo, Amsterdam, Seoul, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Dubai
Carriers: All major carriers
Parking: $34 USD a day, $169 a week
Bus: Quick Shuttle – as  low as $23 CAD one way

US Airports near Toronto

Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG)

Located 90 minutes from Toronto, IAG has two carriers that fly to Florida: Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air. Their website boasts that Canadians flying out of this airport will save “time, money and hassle” with only minutes of wait time even during peak hours and no international fees or taxes to fly to US airports.

Destinations: Orlando/Sanford, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Myrtle Beach, Ft. Myers/Punta Gorda
Carriers: Allegiant Air, Spirit Airlines
Parking: $13 USD a day, $65 USD a week
Bus: No service available

Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)

Located two hours from Toronto, cheap flights from BUF are regularly available. This airport also promotes short wait times and savings for Canadian travellers. With direct service to major US hubs, including New York JFK, Atlanta and Chicago O’hare, you’ll have access to any destination you can think of with a single stopover.

Popular Destinations: Chicago, New York, Orlando, Boston, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Punta Cana, Cancun
Carriers: American Eagle, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country, United, Vacation Express (Sunwing)
Parking: $13 USD a day
Bus: $70 CAD return.

Note: Check out busbud for cheapest options.

US Airport near Montreal

Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG)

Known as “Montreal’s US Airport,” PBG is located just 75 minutes south of Montreal by car. Plattsburgh mainly serves warm destinations as well as non-stop flights to Philadelphia (Contour) and worldwide (American Airlines).

Destinations: Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, St. Petersburg/Tampa, Fort Myers, Myrtle Beach, Boston, Atlantic City, Philadelphia
Carriers: Allegiant, Contour Airlines, American Airlines
Parking: $8 USD a day
Bus: Flixbus– Around $50 CAD return. The bus won’t take you directly to the airport, so you’ll need to catch a cab, which will cost you an additional $15-20 USD.

Flying out the US—consider this

So is it still cheaper for Canadians to fly out of the US? That depends! You’ll have to consider your options carefully and break down the following:

• Cost of the flight—Remember to convert those US dollars to CAD!
• Time it takes to travel to your closest US airport—Consider traffic and border wait times, too.
• Cost of gas—If you have to drive a long distance, it may not be worth shelling out for gas.
• Hotel stay the night before your flight— If you have an early morning flight and don’t want to risk missing it… and you’re not into spending the night in the airport, you may want to book a hotel. How much does that add-on to the cost of your trip?

One last thing, whether you choose to fly out of Canada or the US, make sure you’re armed with these need-to-know rights for Canadian travellers, in case something doesn’t go as planned!

And let us know what you think! Is it still worth it for Canadians to fly out of US airports?  Comment below!

Safe travels,
Sarah

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in April 2015 and has been updated for freshness and/or accuracy.