Boston Logan, Providence, or Manchester: Which New England Airport Is Cheaper

The short version

Boston Logan (BOS) has by far the most flights, including every international route, and JetBlue and Delta compete there on most domestic routes, which keeps fares reasonable. Providence (PVD), an hour south, and Manchester (MHT), an hour north, are smaller Southwest airports with cheaper parking, no tunnel traffic, and often lower fares to Florida, Baltimore, Chicago, and Nashville.

When the small airports win

On routes Southwest flies from PVD or MHT, especially Florida in winter, the recorded lows are frequently below Logan's, and parking for a week costs a fraction of Logan's rates. On anything long-haul, transcontinental, or requiring a connection, Logan's nonstops and frequency win even at a higher fare.

Getting there

Transit reaches two of the three.

• BOS: Blue Line and Silver Line transit, 20 to 40 minutes to downtown; road access through the harbor tunnels is slow at rush hour.
• PVD: Amtrak and MBTA commuter rail stop at the airport station, about 75 minutes to Boston South Station.
• MHT: no rail; a 55-minute drive from Boston in light traffic, closer for the North Shore and southern New Hampshire.

Booking

Ask the agent at (708) 866-8751 to price Logan against Providence or Manchester for your dates. For a family trip to Florida the difference, with parking, can pay for a night of hotel.