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How to Find International Airports Near You

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Finding international airports near you

Trying to figure out which international airport is closest to you? Whether you're planning a trip abroad or comparing departure options, this guide can help.

While we don’t offer a tool to detect your exact location, we can show you how to find the right airport for international travel, wherever you're based.

An aircraft parked at a gate at the airport

How to find international airports near you

You don’t need a special tool to discover which international airports are near you. Here are a few practical ways to figure it out:


Use Alternative Airlines:

At Alternative Airlines, you can search flights from any airport around the world. Simply start typing your location in our search form and select your departure airport from the list.


Alternative ways to find international airports near you:

  • Alternatively, you can search on Google Maps. Type "international airport near me" and explore the options.
  • Check if your nearest airport offers international flights. Many regional airports do, even if they aren't large hubs.
  • Look at the largest international airports in your country. These are more likely to offer a wide range of destinations and airlines.

Major international airports by region

Here's a quick overview of key international airports across different parts of the world:

Region Country City Airport Name IATA Code
North AmericaUSAAtlantaHartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International AirportATL
USALos AngelesLos Angeles International AirportLAX
CanadaTorontoToronto Pearson International AirportYYZ
MexicoMexico CityFelipe Ángeles Intl / Mexico City Intl (AICM)NLU / MEX
EuropeUKLondonHeathrow AirportLHR
GermanyFrankfurtFrankfurt AirportFRA
NetherlandsAmsterdamSchiphol AirportAMS
FranceParisCharles de Gaulle AirportCDG
AsiaChinaBeijingBeijing Capital Intl / Daxing IntlPEK / PKX
JapanTokyoHaneda AirportHND
SingaporeSingaporeChangi AirportSIN
South KoreaSeoulIncheon International AirportICN
Middle EastUAEDubaiDubai International AirportDXB
QatarDohaHamad International AirportDOH
Saudi ArabiaRiyadhKing Khalid International AirportRUH
AfricaSouth AfricaJohannesburgO. R. Tambo International AirportJNB
EgyptCairoCairo International AirportCAI
KenyaNairobiJomo Kenyatta International AirportNBO
South AmericaBrazilSão PauloSão Paulo-Guarulhos International AirportGRU
ColombiaBogotáEl Dorado International AirportBOG
ArgentinaBuenos AiresMinistro Pistarini (Ezeiza) International AirportEZE
OceaniaAustraliaSydneySydney Kingsford Smith AirportSYD
AustraliaMelbourneMelbourne AirportMEL
New ZealandAucklandAuckland AirportAKL
Airport terminal with flight schedule board

What makes an airport "international"?

Not every big airport is an international one, and not every international airport is huge. An airport is considered international if it:

  • Handles flights that travel between countries
  • Has customs and immigration facilities
  • Is authorised for international travel by the local government

Some small regional airports may still offer flights to nearby countries.

Choosing the right airport for your trip

If you have more than one airport within reach, think about what matters most:

  • Distance from home - Is the airport easy to get to by car, train or public transport?
  • Flight options - Does the airport have direct flights to your destination?
  • Cost - Sometimes it’s cheaper to travel a bit further to fly internationally.
  • Airline availability - Do your preferred airlines operate from that airport?

You can compare flights from multiple airports at once on Alternative Airlines. Enter your region or city and see all nearby departure options in one search.

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FAQs

What is the difference between a domestic and international airport?

A domestic airport handles flights that operate within the same country. It does not have border control facilities and can't process passengers travelling internationally.

An international airport offers flights to and from other countries. These airports have customs and immigration services and meet international safety and operations standards.

Even if an airport is called “international,” it might not have frequent international flights. The title just means it has the legal authority to process them.

How can I check if my local airport offers international flights?

The easiest way is to check the official airport website - most will have a “Destinations” or “Airlines” page showing where you can fly.

You can also use the Alternative Airlines search form. Just type in your city or country in the “Where from?” field. If your airport offers international routes, it’ll show up in the dropdown list.

Look for airport codes you don’t recognise. Often, unfamiliar codes represent international destinations.

Which UK airports fly to the USA?

Several UK airports operate direct flights to the United States, with London Heathrow (LHR) offering the widest range.

Here are some of the main UK airports with US routes:

  • London Heathrow: Direct flights to New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago and more.
  • London Gatwick: Flights to Orlando, Tampa and New York (seasonal).
  • Manchester Airport: Flights to Atlanta, New York and Las Vegas.
  • Edinburgh Airport: Seasonal services to US east coast cities like Boston and New York.
    Flight availability may vary by season and airline, so it’s worth comparing across multiple departure airports.
What’s the best airport in Australia for international travel?

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) is the busiest international airport in Australia, with flights to the US, UK, Asia and the Middle East.

Melbourne (MEL) is also a strong option, especially for flights to Asia, New Zealand and Europe.

If you're based in Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide, those airports also offer international services, though often with fewer destinations or less frequent schedules.

You can enter your city into our search tool to compare which Australian airports offer the most convenient and affordable international flights.

Still unsure which airport to fly from?

We get it - choosing the right airport can be tricky. The good news is you don’t have to decide alone.

Start typing your city, region or even your country into the “Where from?” box in our search form. We’ll show you all nearby international airports with flights available.

From there, you can compare prices, airlines and even choose to split the cost using one of our many pay later options.