Nashville Ranked 25th. Tennessee Has 3 Airports With a Wide Spread.

Tennessee is one of a handful of states with three airports in the national top 100 for passenger volume, and the cost differences between them are substantial. Only In Your State analyzed recently released Bureau of Transportation Statistics data, and Nashville's airport stands out as a genuine value in the Southern regional market.

Nashville International Airport (BNA) averaged $357.76 per domestic ticket in 2025, ranking 25th most affordable nationally—$29.24 below the national average of $387. For the rapidly growing Nashville metro, it's a strong airfare position that reflects meaningful carrier competition in one of the country's fastest-growing travel markets.

Knoxville and Memphis

McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville averaged $401.63 in 2025, ranking 57th nationally—$14.63 above the national average. Knoxville also saw one of the country's largest fare decreases in 2025, with costs falling by $24.59—the third-largest drop of any airport nationally. That trajectory is worth watching for travelers in East Tennessee.

Memphis International Airport (MEM) averaged $415.81, ranking 71st nationally—$28.81 above the national average. Memphis ranked 63rd by passenger volume, which reflects its role as a significant cargo hub (FedEx's global hub is at MEM) with a smaller domestic passenger operation.

What Tennessee Travelers Should Know

Nashville's 25th national ranking makes it one of the better mid-size departure markets in the South-Central region. For Tennessee residents with reasonable access to BNA—which covers a large swath of the state—the below-average fares are a meaningful advantage.

Knoxville's improving fare trajectory, with the third-largest price drop nationally in 2025, suggests that East Tennessee's airport may become increasingly competitive. Meanwhile, Memphis's higher average fares reflect its status as a point-to-point passenger airport rather than a passenger hub, though ongoing carrier competition continues to shape options for West Tennessee travelers.

Regional Travel Strategy for Tennesseans

The wide price spread between Tennessee's airports means location and drive time play a significant role in travel strategy. For residents of middle and southern states, driving an extra hour to Nashville International Airport can yield substantial savings, particularly for families or groups buying multiple tickets. A $58 per-ticket savings between Memphis and Nashville adds up quickly when booking for a group of four.

However, factor in parking fees, gas, and travel time before committing to a road trip to BNA. For East Tennessee travelers near Knoxville, TYS’s downward price trend means checking local departures first is increasingly worthwhile before automatically booking out of Nashville or regional hubs across state lines.

This data reflects 2025 averages from the Department of Transportation, released in May 2026. Knowing how to find cheap flights can help Tennessee travelers maximize value at any of the state's three airports.

To get the most from your next departure, explore how to find cheap flights and unexpected ways to cut travel costs to help stretch your budget further.

To see how every major airport in the country compares—plus the full methodology behind the data—explore the complete U.S. Airport Cost Rankings for 2026.