Airports can pretend to be cafes and nightclubs all they want, but in truth, we Cheapists know that being at the airport is a miserable experience. In addition to all the money we’ve spent to be there in the first place, sometimes we don’t have time to eat first, leaving us to suffer through a $20 box of lettuce and carrots just to put food in our stomachs. But there’s plenty we can avoid, too. Here are nine things to avoid purchasing at the airport.
1. Headphones
Most airlines will give you headphones for free, especially on any flight showing movies. Avoid buying a $30 pair of knockoff earbuds. Unfortunately, unless you’ve got a dongle, you might be out of luck if you’re only looking for iPhone earbuds.
2. Bottled Water
With filling stations at nearly every airport, all you really need is a reusable water bottle or an empty water bottle. Prices are always inflated to a devastating level on this one.
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3. Foreign Currency
Brutal currency exchange rates are an entirely avoidable expense at the airport. There’s probably a place near your arrival or departure destination with lower rates, or maybe even a mall kiosk. For the best rates of all, talk to your bank: With enough notice, you can often exchange money for no fee at all.
4. Taxis
I need to be clear: I feel bad coming for taxis like this. But the truth is, rideshares are just so much better in nearly every way, and I can’t do anything if these cab companies are unable to adapt. Save your money, don’t get scammed. Use a rideshare. (And if you can’t stand the thought of supporting Uber or Lyft, opt for one of these ride-hailing alternatives.)
5. Neck Pillows
If you want to arrive at your destination without a sore neck, neck pillows are key. Luckily, you can find quality neck pillows for under $20 on the internet; there’s no reason to spend much more than that at the airport. I recently saw one inside a terminal selling for $50. Good luck with that one, airport.
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6. Pharmacy Items
Don’t forget your Advil. Double check the toothpaste. Make sure you brought the sunscreen. I once paid $17 for a tiny stick of deodorant when I left mine behind on a trip. Absolutely humiliating stuff.
7. Duty Free
Though Duty Free is also tax-free, it doesn’t always mean that you’re saving any money. Airports can still mark up their booze, even without tax. Fire up Google and do a quick comparison before you buy — it might be a lot cheaper when you land.
8. Sushi
Look, I can’t speak for every airport in the world, but damn, this seems like a no-brainer. Sushi is my favorite food on the planet, but if airports can barely get a ham sandwich going, there’s no reason to believe in raw fish.
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9. A Beer
Yes, air travel can give even the most frequent traveler anxiety — but try to refrain from taking the edge off with a beer. Depending on the airport, the cost of a beer is likely to run you quite a bit more cheddar than elsewhere. At NYC’s LaGuardia, for example, a regular domestic will drain your wallet of more than $12, and many other airports aren’t much cheaper. That’s considerably more than what you’ll pay at the grocery store or even a bar — and it’s not even good beer.
