Airport Departure Taxes
As annoying and sometimes expensive as airport departure taxes are, we have to live with them. Let’s talk about them for a bit.
What is Airport Departure Tax (Fee)
An Airport Departure Tax is a fee/tax that is paid to the country from which you are departing. This is usually included in your ticket, although sometimes you have to pay it at the airport before you board your flight. Usually before you enter the Immigration area.
Airport Tax Calculator
Find out Airport Departure Taxes here.
How Much Are Taxes On International Flights?
Typically, departure Taxes range from approximately 55 CAD in Vancouver, B.C. Canada (YVR) to 184 GBP for a First/Business Class ride from the U.K. to the U.S., 84 GBP in Economy class. Ouch!
Airport Taxes In Europe
Most countries in Europe have a departure tax, sometimes it is a tad cheaper if you are transiting within 24 hours. You can usually pay at the airport or pay your airline when you get home. Usually if you are traveling on another carrier than your own, the taxes are in the pass you bought. The cost of the departure taxes sometimes double the cost of the pass!
Airport Taxes In The Caribbean
Some countries such as St. Maarten (varies by your destination and airline and whether you’re in transit or not), Trinidad and Tobago (200 TT), Dominican Republic (1,081 DOP) and Bonaire (43.45 USD) have a special booth set up to collect this taxes.
A beach in Speightstown, Barbados
No sense in complaining, just be prepared. Check with your airline and also fellow employees who have visited that country recently on what the tax is for the city you are visiting and how it is paid. Some countries only take cash in local currency while others will take credit cards. Usually they need exact change as well.
Airfare Taxes in General
In the U.S. there are quite a bit of taxes as well, but most airlines absorb that for you so you don’t realize it. But when you purchase an OA ticket you realize how much the taxes are. As an example a ticket from say Japan to the U.S. will have a lot of taxes on it, while one to Canada will have none or very little. See below.
ITA Matrix Tokyo to DFW
ITA Matrix Tokyo to YVR
Types Of Airport Taxes
Departure taxes are not the only taxes you pay when departing a foreign country or even the United States. Here’s a look at other taxes you may have to pay:
- United States APHIS Passenger Fee Passengers (XA)
- United States Customs User Fee (YC)
- United Kingdom Passenger Service Charge Departures (UB)
- United States Immigration User Fee (XY)
- Carrier-imposed surcharge (YR) [usually only for revenue tickets]
- US International Arrival Tax (US)
-
Canada Goods And Services Tax GST Including CA Tax (XG)
-
Canadian Air Travelers Security Charge (CA)
-
Canada Harmonized Sales Tax Hst On SQ Fee (RC)
-
United States APHIS Passenger Fee Passengers (XA)
- US International Arrival Tax (US)
Summary
Be prepared before you travel internationally, you should be prepared before you travel in general. Do your research by checking the airport Web sites, fellow travelers and in person when you visit different countries.
Airport Taxes By Country
Passrider.com has a Departure Tax checker here too.
Also, just have some cash available for departures taxes before you leave a country where one is necessary. Have a credit card that does not charge international transaction fees handy or a debit card so you can use a local ATM if necessary. Don’t spend all your money on shopping :-).
What do you think?
What are your thoughts on all this? Do you have any stories as you were not prepared? Do you have any tips for your fellow travelers? Please share with us.
Have a great trip and plan for the departure taxes.
Belize City, Belize
Comments 14
My husband just completed a flt to Paris out of SFO with me as a working crew member. The departure tax is based on the SA listing. My husband payed 120.00 dollars US based on his business/first listing. It is deducted from my pay check. Once the tax is paid it may be difficult to ask for the lower amount (71.00 US) for a coach assignment. We and our eligibles do travel SA and of course we have no gaurantees. So roll the dice and take your seat.
Hi Linda,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, out of Paris the taxes are based on the cabin of service for which you fly. Just contact the Pass Office and they will take care of you.
My husband just completed a flt to Paris out of SFO with me as a working crew member. The departure tax is based on the SA listing. My husband payed 120.00 dollars US based on his business/first listing. It is deducted from my pay check. Once the tax is paid it may be difficult to ask for the lower amount (71.00 US) for a coach assignment. We and our eligibles do travel SA and of course we have no gaurantees. So roll the dice and take your seat.
Hi Linda,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, out of Paris the taxes are based on the cabin of service for which you fly. Just contact the Pass Office and they will take care of you.
I am a us citizen . will i be charged a departure tax when I leave canada by air?
Yes. The departure taxes is regardless of citizenship. Contact your airline’s pass bureau and they will advise the charges.
Kerwin
http://www.passrider.com
http://www.facebook.com/Passrider
I am a us citizen . will i be charged a departure tax when I leave canada by air?
Yes. The departure taxes is regardless of citizenship. Contact your airline’s pass bureau and they will advise the charges.
Kerwin
http://www.passrider.com
http://www.facebook.com/Passrider
Is it possible, and legal to avoid paying Canada’s departure taxes by leaving on train or by car?
Hi Ken P.,
Thanks for your question.
It’s not a question of legality I don’t think :-). There’s no departure tax when you cross the borders on foot or by motor vehicle (lines are long usually). If you cross by a bus, it would be included in the fare you pay just like it is for an airplane.
Also, some of the taxes are for the airport and since when you drive you do not use an airport you are good to go.
Just checking on Amtrak’s web site, the fare to/from Toronto, On Canada to/from New York, NY USA is the same $124 and no taxes breakdown were displayed. If there was an additional departure tax from Canada the fares would be different.
I hope this helps.
Kerwin
http://www.Passrider.com
http://www.Facebook.com/Passrider
detailed taxes YYZ-JFK retn.
Plant Inspection-$5.07, US customs-$7.07,Air Travel Security-$12.10,Goods and Service Tax-$1.11,US security $7.17, Airport Improvement-$28.25,US international transportation Tax-$46.08,US immigration-$8.96 . Total Cdn $ 115.78 ; as of this date.
Is it possible, and legal to avoid paying Canada’s departure taxes by leaving on train or by car?
Flew into PTY a couple times to meet a friend and back out the next day. If over 24hrs they hit you with the departure tax at checkin or passport control. Tried to side step it last time by getting the first flight out. Ended up bumped twice and they caught me for the tax at the gate.