The little-known airport fee many travellers still miss
What departure taxes are, where you may be asked to pay them separately and how to avoid a last-minute shock
Most travellers assume the price on their ticket is the final amount, but there is one charge that often slips under the radar: the airport departure tax, commonly known in Spanish as the TUA (Tarifa de Uso de Aeropuerto) or airport use fee. It is a mandatory government levy applied when you leave a country and is used to help maintain airport facilities and support local tourism.Think of it as a payment for using the hub’s services, from security and waiting areas to basic amenities. “It’s a payment made for using the facilities of the hub from which you’re travelling,” the report explains, and while nearly every nation applies some form of exit tax, most include it in the ticket price so passengers do not see it as a separate charge.
Where you might pay at the airport
If you are travelling beyond Europe, be prepared to pay the fee separately in a few countries. Peru and Costa Rica commonly require on-the-spot payment, and other destinations where travellers may still be asked to pay at departure include the Philippines, the Bahamas, Indonesia and the Dominican Republic. The typical charge in such cases is often around US$25–30, but it varies by country, flight distance, passenger age and seat class.
Why it matters
Ticket prices depend on many moving parts: the airline, seat type, services and even the cost of fuel; but a departure tax can add an unexpected extra. Because it is frequently baked into the fare, being asked to pay it at the airport can catch travellers off guard and complicate budgeting for a trip.
Practical tips to avoid surprises
• Check the fare breakdown on your booking confirmation to see if the TUA is included.
• Visit the official website of your departure airport or the country’s tourism page if you are unsure.
• For long-haul trips outside Europe, budget an extra US$25–30 per person as a precaution.
A little advance checking will save time and stress at the airport and keep your journey running smoothly.
Image: JoshuaWoroniecki/Pixabay
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