If you fly a lot, this post is for you. A big travel expense actually occurs before the real trip actually starts-at the airport. The good news is there are a lot of easy ways to save money at the airport, and cut down on some of those unnecessary expenses.
The Inspiration Behind This Post
I’m literally writing this post on an airplane. I guess I feel a little guilty because as a personal finance writer and somewhat healthy person, I should be better than this.
I just purchased a Chicken Caesar salad for 12 dollars, a bag of chips for four dollars, and a candy bar for five dollars. Not only expensive, but also pretty unhealthy (other than the salad). At least I brought my refillable water bottle.
As I finished my “meal”, I got the idea to write this post. Writing is a good way to keep myself accountable and develop systems to get better. So here are five ways to save money at the airport.
Number 1: Plan Ahead
The first tip is a simple one–plan ahead. What time is your flight leaving? Is it a quick one-hour flight, or a trip to Europe? How many meals will you be eating? Answering these questions will help you plan ahead.
It’s not realistic to bring a full meal to each and every flight you’re on, but you can bring plenty of snacks and meals to select flights. For example, if you’re leaving right before lunch, you can pack a quick lunch and bring it with you. That way you don’t have to spend 15 dollars for a very average sandwich.
Or if you have an evening flight, you can eat an early dinner at home before you take off. A little off schedule but not hard to do. For a long flight, pack some of your favorite snacks and eat those at the airport and on the plane as an alternative to buying overpriced items at the airport and on the plane.
Number 2: Contingency Plans for Delayed Flights
If your flight is delayed are you going to be starving and head over to the airport shop for a five dollar small bag of chips? Or some other expensive snack?
Bringing a little extra food on every flight will at least hold you over a couple hours if your flight is delayed. That can be a protein bar, a piece of fruit, or any other kind of snack you like. It’s not a full meal but it will at least hold you over for an hour or two.
Number 3: Make Bringing Food Part of Your Packing Routine
Whenever you pack for a flight, you probably have a checklist on your phone or written down somewhere. Some might just keep a mental checklist.
Toothbrush, toothpaste, phone charger, socks, shirts, workout clothes, etc. These are all must-haves (at least for me) for travel. Make some food for the airport and airplane part of your packing routine, or must-haves. Just like you wouldn’t forget your toothbrush and phone charger, don’t forget to bring a few snacks with you.
After a few times it will become a habit and second nature.
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Number 4: Think Twice About Alcohol
Years ago I flew to my bachelor party in Chicago from San Diego. The flight was delayed by a couple hours (another story) so my friends and I partook at the airport bar. A few hours later we were all feeling pretty good and none too worried about the delayed flight.
We had a great time and if I had to do it over again, I would have done the same thing because it was a special occasion. The costs were high, but no regrets.
For just a normal flight though, think twice about alcohol purchases at the airport. If you’re trying to save money at the airport, buying alcohol is the fastest way to spend more than you wanted to. Alcohol is marked up significantly and just a few drinks can easily put you back twenty dollars or more.
So if you really want a drink or it’s a special occasion, by all means, grab some drinks. But if it’s just a regular middle of the week flight, cutting alcohol is a really easy way to save.
Number 5: Piecemeal It: Combo of Snacks and Airport Food
I say it all the time, but it doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. You’re not banned from eating food at the airport just because you brought your own snacks. You can do both.
Say you have a five-hour flight leaving at 6:30 PM local time. There’s nothing wrong with eating a warm meal at the airport then eating the snacks you brought after that. You’re spending some money at the airport but you’re not wasting a bunch of money on snacks you could have easily brought from home.
Another scenario is you have a four-hour flight in the afternoon with a short layover. Maybe you eat the snacks you brought at the airport then buy dinner at the airport during the layover. Then go back to your snacks on the second leg of the flight.
Easy enough and it’s not an all-or-nothing situation. You’re still saving money with the snacks but also not depriving yourself if you’re wanting a fresher/hotter dinner.
Conclusion
You may have noticed a pattern here–bring your own food. Just doing this will save you a lot of money. It doesn’t matter if it’s a short, medium, or long flight, you can never go wrong bringing your own food.
And remember, it’s not all or nothing. You can still spend at the airport, the idea is just to minimize it. Or if you want to take it further, you can eliminate it or take it close to zero.
How do you save money at the airport?
