Are you the kind of traveler who gives into the splurging temptation or who tries to save money on travel?
Spending money while traveling is so easy, especially at the airport. That’s why it’s important to be prepared with money-saving airport tricks to prevent you from overspending. Say no more, because we’re here to help you with that!
It must have happened to you at least once to get to the airport and realize you forgot something. Or perhaps to start feeling hungry. You buy the food you need to quench your hunger or the item you forgot at home, and then you get mad about the price you had to pay for what you bought. You’re not the only one.
It’s not as easy to save money on travel, especially when you’re in an airport. In fact, it’s safe to say that airports are a money pit by design. You’re forced to pay a high price for products because you have no alternative if you’re waiting for a flight. That’s exactly what retailers rely on, so they charge higher than usual prices for everyday products.
Paying a premium price for food and other things at the airport is a very easy way to waste money that could otherwise be put to better use. For example, paying down your debt or towards savings (yes, those small amounts add up).
The good news is that there are some airport tips you can use to save money on travel and become a frugal tourist. Check out these tricks!
1. Create a travel checklist specifically for the airport
One of the most efficient ways to save money on travel is to be prepared even before taking off. Airports are packed with money traps because many items you find there are up to 10 times more expensive than in a grocery store.
So, make a checklist at home to know exactly what you’ll need while passing through the airport. When people make travel checklists, they’re generally for stuff that goes in their suitcases. However, it’s also a great idea to make a checklist for your hand luggage too.
The list should include things you know you’ll need while you’re at the airport before your departure, upon your arrival, or during a layover.
A few examples include travel electronics like your headphones or a tablet, a variety of dry snacks, other entertainment like a great book or magazine, toiletries (if you’re traveling long distance), and hand sanitizer.
By the way, this to-do list notebook may help you get more organized!
2. Pack an empty water bottle
Another airport trick that will help you save money on travel is to have an empty water bottle with you (it must be empty to pass through security). We have to admit that bottled water at the airport is insanely expensive. It makes you wonder, “Why? It’s just water!”
Retailers charge two to three times more than the average cost you pay at a grocery store for a bottle of water. So to avoid that and save money on travel, pack an empty water bottle, then refill it at the many water fountains in the airport.
Most airlines won’t offer entire bottles of water for free, but it’s easy to pour the glass of water you’re given on your flight into your water bottle!
3. Create a fixed budget for meals
With so many different food options available at the airport, it’s super easy to get carried away. However, if you want to save money on travel and you know you’ll want to get something to eat at the airport, set a fixed budget and ensure you don’t go above it. Basically, you let the amount you’ve budgeted determine what you can buy to eat.
Another airport trick that will help you save money on travel is to see what coupons you can find before your flight to use at a chain restaurant in the airport. The hack will save you the overpriced difference in the cost of your meal.
In order to see what restaurants the airport and terminal you’re traveling through have, check the airport directory online in advance of your flight.
4. Exchange international currency before you get to the airport
According to travel experts, if there’s an awful place to exchange foreign currency, it has to be the airports. Why? Not only does the money exchange in the airports take advantage of your helplessness, but it’s also the kind of business that will charge you more as the number of passengers who wind up doing last-minute transactions is high.
That’s why, if you want to save money on travel, it’s best to call your local bank or do research online to compare international currency exchange costs. It may be cheaper to buy your currency from the bank instead of at the airport.
While you may need to order it several days in advance, this airport trick will save you some good bucks if you plan.
Keep reading to find other airport tricks to save money on travel!
5. Look for free WiFi first
Surfing the internet can be a good way to kill time while you’re waiting for a flight, but paying to be able to do that while at the airport is another big money pit. We’ll show you another airport trick to save money on travel.
Here’s the thing: most airports offer free WiFi, but there’s a catch—it’s either for a limited amount of time (like 30 minutes) or you’ll get access to the internet, but at a slower speed.
This strategy is used to convince people to pay for “faster” and “unlimited” WiFi, but unless you’re working on your laptop on something that requires a fast internet speed, then the free option should work just fine.
Moreover, refreshing the WiFi to get extra time added only takes a few minutes, and you can definitely survive a couple of seconds of difference between page loads.
6. Skip the bar
If you’re a nervous flyer, you’ll probably feel better if you have a glass of wine at the airport bar before your flight. It’s great that you’ve found something that helps you deal with your anxiety, but if you want to save money on travel, spending some at the airport bar seems like a bad start for your trip.
Drinking is expensive, but it’s even worse at a bar you find in the airport. Time to kill and high-priced alcohol is the worst combination for your finances. In fact, according to personal finance experts, airport bars should be avoided to prevent you from spending your cash on overpriced beverages.
If you simply got bored of drinking water, then choose to have a soda or flavored sparkling water instead of a cocktail or a glass of wine.
7. Avoid shopping
If it isn’t absolutely necessary, don’t go shopping at the airport. Most products are much more expensive, and you will most likely wreck your vacation budget. A great way to save money on travel is to ensure you have everything you need packed with you.
This being said, pack things like headphones or earbuds so you aren’t tempted to buy them during a layover. Don’t forget to bring a book or magazines for something to do besides shopping.
Also, the best thing you can do is purchase gifts and other kinds of stuff at your destination to avoid overspending.
How do you save money on travel? Let us know in the comments section!
If you liked our article, you may also want to read Travel Insurance Is a Must! Top 6 Specific Reasons Why You Should Buy It.
