Call me tight, or call me thrifty. I’ve compiled a list of savvy things you can do to save money at the airport.
Over the years, I’ve definitely hit many different airports. From Asia and Europe to Central America, they all have their lil personalities, but oh boy, what they have in common is how expensive they are. As global citizens, I feel like we’ve accepted that airport prices will always be hella high and resigned ourselves to paying them. But it’s time to make a stand. A revolution. Save your hard-earned cash for the real deal, a little pizzeria on the streets of Verona, rather than an overpriced mediocre meal at the airport.
1 . Take a resuable waterbottle
This is rookie stuff but an absolute essential.
We’re living in an environmentally conscious society meaning the demand for water fountains at the airport is higher than ever, and boy, airports are delivering.
In the last years, all the airports I’ve been to have had filtered water fountains to fill up your bottle after security. That’s not to say that the water is always delicious, but it’s safe and drinkable. I can confirm that the world’s worst airport is found in Sharjah. One word: milky.
The average bottle of 500ml water at the airport is €2.50. So take a bloody water bottle.
2. PACK SOME FOOD
I think people forget you can take food through security. Don’t go to the airport hungry or empty-handed. Your belly rumble will force you to take action and pay for an overpriced cheese sandwich that has been on the shelf since breakfast. We’re not about that life, we can do better. You can do better.
Save your hard-earned money for beer on the rooftop bar.
3. CHEAT THE LUGGAGE FEES
This is my secret tip to save money at the airport, so you better continue reaidng.
For the past years on the road, I’ve only travelled with the RyanAir ‘size small’ hand luggage. In Europe, weight is not really a problem, it just has to fit to the measurement. But in Asia, most airlines have a weight restriction of 8kg for hand luggage and I assure you, they weigh it.
After a few times of being fucked over by over-the-limit hand luggage weight, Marius and I have found a way to cheat the airlines, and since then, we’ve got away with it every single time.
For this to work, you need to be travelling with a friend, partner or just another person willing to look after your things for 10 minutes.
1. Buy your tickets separately so you can check in individually at the counter. In Asia, the airlines like to check your visas, so there’s no way to go straight through security without a visit to the counter.
2. When you arrive at the airport, take the heaviest things out of your bag (for Marius, this is his 6kg laptop). One person should stay with the stuff away from sight, and the other goes to the check-in counter. The airline weighs it, and viola! Under the 8kg weight baby.
3. Switch places, and there we go – cheated the system.
Rest assured; they’ll never weigh the bag again when boarding.
Or just do a Joey?
4. RINSE THE AIRPORT FACILITIES
Singapore baby, I’m looking at you.
If you’ve ever been to this airport, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Instead of shelling out €100 on an airport hotel, go to a quiet place in the airport and sleep. Or do what we did and sleep in the cinema. Nice and dark. I know it sounds grim, but if you’re tired, you’ll definitely be able to sleep a few hours. And with the money you save, you can save it for your real hols.
It’s also worth checking out lounge access. If you’ve got a long stopover it can definitely be worth it. As well as free food, drinks and Wifi; some even have showers. Luxury.
5. FIGURE OUT THE CHEAPEST PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Picture this: you bag a last-minute flight from Barcelona to London for €10, you’re buzzing, get off the plane and then bam, have to shell out €25 for a 30-minute train from the airport to central London.
The transport price from the airport really killed me after returning to the UK from Asia. You’ve just got to be savvy and do your research in advance.
For example, at Oslo Airport, the high-speed train into the city costs 200 NOK (€20), whereas the less regular commuter train costs 114 (€11).
Do your research about the best and cheapest option to get to your accommodation from the airport as if you feel panicked and unprepared, you’ll just opt for the easiest option like taxing a taxi.
All right, all right – that’s 5 easy ways you can save money at the airport. But I’ll be continually posting over on the RTT Instagram about money saving travel hacks. So keep an eye out.
