Which Airports Have Fair Food Prices

Airport food prices remain stubbornly high, but several terminals now enforce street pricing policies keeping costs closer to downtown rates.

Denver International led the movement, requiring concessionaires to match prices at their non-airport locations. Other hubs slowly adopted similar rules.

Where Prices Stay Reasonable

Pittsburgh International enforces strict street pricing. A coffee at their Starbucks costs the same as downtown locations. Subway sandwiches match neighborhood shops.

Tampa International maintains comparable pricing on most food court items. Their Columbia Restaurant serves Cuban sandwiches at the same rate as the original Ybor City location.

Still Expensive Terminals

JFK and LaGuardia show little price restraint. Expect 30-50% markups on basic items. A bottle of water regularly exceeds $5 at many vendors.

Miami International charges premium rates throughout. Pack snacks or eat before arriving to avoid sticker shock.

Money-Saving Moves

Bring an empty water bottle through security. Refill at fountains or hydration stations now standard in most terminals. Packed snacks face no restrictions domestically.