Washington state airports will likely be the first stop on your vacation. The attractions of Seattle and hiking trails of Washington state appeal to many travelers looking for a vacation with a mix of culture and the great outdoors. If you’re planning a trip, one of the first practical things to take care of is flights. Doing a little research on local airports, airfare trends, and seasons might help you to save some money on your trip. Many visitors begin their trip at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport, also called Sea-Tac. Others find excellent fares to Spokane Airport and begin their exploration of the Evergreen State here. Wherever your plane touches down, you will have many pleasures waiting for you during this Washington vacation.

The Seattle-Tacoma Airport is considered by many to be the gateway to the Pacific Northwest. If you begin your trip here, the lakes, rivers, and mountains of Washington state will all be close by. Handling more than 30 million passengers a year, the Sea-Tac airport is a major international operation. Once you arrive, you will have several choices for transportation. Many visitors choose to take advantage of a rental car, which allows the freedom of exploring at your own pace. If you’re only visiting Seattle, you can depend on public transportation or taxis to reach the city from the airport.

Travelers will be happy to learn that they have a long list of airlines to choose from at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport. No matter what part of the country you are traveling from, one of the following airlines will offer service to Seattle. Some of the top choices on a long list of airlines include AirTran, American Airlines, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United Airlines, US Airways and more. International airlines also fly into Seattle, including Air France, British Airways, Korean Air, IcelandAir, and more. Expect fares across all airlines to be influenced by seasonal fluctuations of travel. Summer for example is the most popular time of the year to visit Seattle, and prices will be higher during these months.

Washington State Map

The next most popular on a list of Washington State Airports is Spokane Airport. That being said, it is significantly smaller, serving 3 million passengers a year instead of over 30 million like Seattle. Spokane is the largest city in Eastern Washington, and from here you can easily reach the more rugged scenery around the border between Washington and Idaho, as well as the wine-tasting regions near Walla Walla. There are nine airlines that offer service at this airport, considered the second-largest in the state of Washington. Travelers can choose between Air Alaska, Delta, Frontier, Horizon, Southwest, United, and US Airways. If you’re looking to stay connected while traveling, the Spokane Airport offers Wi-Fi service throughout the airport. Here you will also find a long list of car rental agencies including Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Hertz.

These are the two major Washington state airports, and between them you should be able to find an affordable fare. That being said, the most affordable time to visit Washington is definitely in the off-season winter months. There are still many outdoor activities that can be enjoyed during these months, including skiing and snowshoeing. If you’re planning on visiting during the heights of summer, the best airfares will be found by planning in advance. If you wait until the last minute, you might find yourself paying an expensive fare to reach Washington airports.