For many Brits, the airport pint is more than just a drink, it’s a holiday tradition. Whether it’s a pre-boarding ritual or a way to mark the start of an adventure, that first sip at the terminal bar is sacred. In fact, recent research shows that one in three travellers head straight to the pub once through security, with 75% admitting they enjoy a cheeky breakfast beer before their flight.

But with nearly 70% of holidaymakers confessing they went over budget on their last trip abroad, even that ceremonial pint can feel like a guilty indulgence. That’s why a new study by WildPacks American Summer Camps is welcome news for penny-conscious travellers.

The organisation analysed publicly available prices at 15 major UK airports to find out where you can get the best value for a pint, a full English breakfast, and a hot meal before boarding.

The cheapest airport pint in the UK can be found in London, a city typically known for sky-high prices.

Thanks to Wetherspoons and its famously affordable pricing, London Stansted, Heathrow, and Gatwick airports now rank alongside Edinburgh and Birmingham for the lowest-priced pint in the country, all coming in at just £5.20.

Jamie Fraiser, founder of WildPacks American Summer Camps, said: “We know an airport pint has become a rite of passage before a big trip, like spending a summer abroad, but with such a discrepancy between venues, it really does pay to know where is the cheapest in every terminal,” he explains.

Stansted’s The Windmill, Heathrow’s Crown Rivers, and Birmingham’s Wetherspoons are among those offering a £5.20 pint of Bud Light. Edinburgh’s Sir Walter Scott pub also matches that price.

Even at the typically more expensive Gatwick Airport, travellers can still find a budget pint at The Red Lion for the same amount.

But not all airports are so kind to your wallet. If you're flying from London Luton, expect to pay £7.15 for a pint of Stella Artois at Nolito. At Newcastle International, the price climbs even higher to £7.39 for a pint of Heineken at the Quaystone Bar and Kitchen.

As holidaymakers brace for another summer of travel, these findings could help ease the burden of pre-flight spending. And while a few pounds saved on a pint might not seem like much, it’s a welcome change for travellers used to being squeezed at every stage of their journey.

So, despite its expensive reputation, London may just be the best place to start your holiday with a cold, reasonably priced pint in hand.