Should You Fly into the Biggest US Airports? | Avis Rent a Car

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Best Smaller Airports Near Big US Cities

Are you planning a vacation to Los Angeles, Orlando, Boston, Miami, New York City, or San Francisco? If you’re flying, that likely means you’ll be traveling through one of the biggest airports in the US. These travel hubs offer many advantages, including more flight, dining, and entertainment options. 

However, these airports are usually more crowded, and it may take longer to get through security and to the Avis car rental center. 

If you’re looking for an alternative, we’ve got you covered. Here are some excellent places to fly into if you don’t want to choose the biggest airports in the United States.

Biggest Airport in Los Angeles, CA

  • Los Angeles International Airport - 3,650 acres (Source)

Lesser-Known & Smaller Airports in Greater Los Angeles

  • Long Beach Airport - 1,166 acres (Source)

  • Hollywood Burbank Airport - 555 acres (Source)

  • John Wayne Airport - 510 acres (Source)

Avis offers car rental services at all four major airports in the Los Angeles area—find us at LAX, SNA, LGB, and BUR. While LAX is one of the biggest airports in the US, the best airport for you may depend on your travel destination. Los Angeles is a big city full of exciting attractions, and a car is essential for seeing LA the right way.

If you intend to spend time at the beach, keep in mind that LAX is right by Santa Monica Bay. Alternatively, SNA in Orange County to the south of LA is about 9 miles from the Newport Beach Pier. LGB is another excellent choice for beachgoers because it’s the second-largest airport in the area and about 5 miles from the Long Beach City Beach shorefront.

BUR is another smaller airport (though it’s much farther from the beach). This airport has the perfect location for anyone ready to explore popular tourist attractions, including the beautiful La Tuna Canyon Park, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, and Bearded Lady’s Mystic Museum.

Biggest Airport in Orlando, FL

  • Orlando International Airport - 11,605 acres (Source)

Lesser-Known & Smaller Airports in the Orlando Area

  • Orlando Sanford International Airport - 3,000 acres (Source)

  • Melbourne Orlando International Airport - 2,420 acres (Source)

Did you know you have three airport options when flying into the Orlando area? Orlando International Airport (MCO) is one of the biggest airports in the United States and the largest in Florida. Despite the crowds, MCO is only 20-30 minutes from downtown Orlando and is the closest airport to the Disney parks, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios. 

You can avoid the crowd and potential delays through security by flying into MLB. It’s the smallest airport in the area, with a land mass of just over 2,400 acres. However, this airport is the farthest from central Orlando, and you’ll be about 70 miles from the city if you fly into MLB. However, if beaches and Kennedy Space Center are on your Orlando itinerary, this might be the most convenient airport.

Finally, the SFB airport is about 27 miles from downtown Orlando. It’s the second largest airport in the area, making it ideal for passengers who’d rather avoid crowds. 

No matter your chosen airport, you’ll find Avis near the baggage claim area at MCO, SFB, and MLB.

Biggest Airport in Boston, MA

  • Boston Logan - 2,384 acres (Source)

Alternative Airport in the Boston Area

  • Worcester Regional Airport - 1,000 acres (Source)

While the Boston Logan Airport (BOS) isn’t one of the biggest airports in the US, it’s the largest airport in the Boston area and one of the busiest airports in the US. If you don’t mind the crowds, this airport features more flight options, and it’s only a few miles from downtown Boston.

Alternatively, you can avoid the busy BOS airport and downtown traffic by flying to Worcester Regional Airport (ORH). ORH is less than half the size of BOS. It’s close to several museums, including the Worcester Art Museum, EcoTarium, and the Worcester Historical Museum. However, it may not be the best option if you intend to spend most of your trip in downtown Boston, as ORH is about 50 miles outside downtown.

Whether you plan on flying to BOS or ORH, you’ll find Avis nearby.

Biggest Airport in Miami, FL

  • Miami International Airport - 3,230 acres (Source)

Alternative Airport in Southeast Florida

  • Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport - 1,380 acres (Source)

Miami International Airport (MIA) is not only one of the biggest airports in the United States; it’s one of the busiest in Florida. On the flip side, you’ll probably have more flight options and amenities. MIA’s location also puts you close to many of the city’s best attractions. From there, it’s only a short 20- to 30-minute drive to Miami Beach.

You can fly to the smaller Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to avoid (some of) the crowds. FLL is about half the size of MIA. While you may have fewer flight options, FLL is a short 15-minute drive from Dania Beach and is great for travelers wanting to visit Fort Lauderdale on their trip. (Source)

Regardless of your chosen airport, it’s easy to find Avis after your flight to MIA or FLL.

Biggest Airports near New York City, NY 

1. John F. Kennedy International Airport - 4,930 acres (Source)

2. Newark Liberty International Airport - 2,027 acres (Source)

3. LaGuardia Airport - 680 acres (Source)

Lesser-Known & Smaller Airports in the NYC Area

1. Stewart International Airport - 1,552 acres (Source)

2. Trenton-Mercer Airport - 1,345 acres (Source)

3. Long Island MacArthur Airport - 1,311 acres (Source)

4. Westchester County Airport - 702 acres (Source)

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is one of the busiest and biggest airports in the US. JFK can get congested, but it offers more flights than other New York airports. JFK is located right on Jamaica Bay, around 16 miles from Midtown Manhattan. (Source)

If you’re looking for a smaller airport that still has the major amenities, look for flights into LaGuardia Airport (LGA). LGA is an excellent choice if you want to be close to several New York boroughs, as it’s between Queens and Manhattan. (Source)

And on the other side of the Big Apple, Newark Liberty International (EWR) is less than half the size of JFK, though large enough to have great flight options. Plus, it’s only 9 miles from Manhattan, despite being in New Jersey. (Source)

Looking for an even smaller airport? Perhaps you won’t be spending your time in NYC anyway? You may want to fly into a regional airport serving Upstate New York, Long Island, or New Jersey. Each of the smaller airports listed above is between 35 and 70 miles from Midtown Manhattan.

To help you have a fabulous time in New York City and its surrounding areas, Avis has rental counters serving each of these airports. Find us at JFK, EWR, LGA, or any of the lesser-known alternatives.

Biggest Airports near San Francisco, CA

  • San Francisco International Airport - 5,207 acres (Source)

  • Oakland International Airport - 2,600 acres (Source)

Alternative Airport in the San Francisco Bay Area

  • San Jose International Airport - 1,050 acres (Source)

The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is by far the largest airport in the area and one of the biggest airports in the United States. It spans a whopping 5,207 acres. However, SFO isn’t the only large airport in the area. (Source)

Since San Francisco is such a big city, you may consider choosing an airport based on your travel plans. For example, SFO is the largest airport in the bay area and is only 13 miles from downtown San Francisco. (Source)

Oakland International Airport is a moderately large airport across the bay in Oakland. This is the right airport for those who want to explore the East Bay’s popular attractions like the Oakland Zoo, Oakland Aviation Museum, and the Oakland Arena. Even if you’ll be heading to San Francisco, flying into Oakland gives you a reason to drive across the bay and take in the skyline.

If you plan to spend most of your time in San Jose or head farther south, the San Jose International Airport (SJC) might be a better option. While it’s the smallest of the three airports, it’s located in the heart of San Jose.

Avis is here to help you get to your final destination regardless of the airport you choose. Find us in the rental car center at SFO, the rental facility at OAK, or the rental car center at SJC.

 

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