Holidays and trips involving air travel can often be costly. Airports can quickly drain your bank account before you’ve even left the country. However, with a few smart strategies, you can avoid unnecessary expenses and save money for something you truly enjoy. In this article, I want to share the airport hacks I use to prevent me from depleting my bank account!
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What's in this post:
1. Avoid Expensive Drop-Off Fees
Did you know that in the UK, it costs money just to drop someone off? Pick-ups can be even more costly, as guessing when someone might get through customs and baggage claim is like trying to guess the lottery numbers!
Drop-off fees at airports like Gatwick and Bristol are £6 for just 10 minutes. At Stansted, the combined pick-up and drop-off cost is £17! Did you know you can avoid all pick-up and drop-off fees?
Most UK airports offer free parking within the long-term car parks for up to 2 hours. This does involve getting the shuttle bus, but it avoids those pesky fees! Just make sure you plan that extra time into your travel time!
2. Pre-book parking
Parking at the airport can be a costly affair, especially if you haven’t planned ahead. To avoid last-minute expenses, consider pre-booking your parking spot online. Many airports offer discounted rates for early bookings, and some third-party websites might provide deals unavailable directly through the airport. Not only can pre-booking save you money, but it also ensures you have a reserved spot waiting for you, reducing the stress of finding parking upon arrival. From cheap parking near Vienna airport to off-site car parks at Manchester airport, you can find a good deal shopping around to see your options.
3. Don’t Use Airport Bureaux De Change
Airport currency exchanges offer the worst rates! Always try to exchange your money on the high street before travelling. If this isn’t possible, research your destination. For example, in Sierra Leone, you are better off exchanging with the “money man” than at the bank. The money man is a guy who walks around with a backpack full of money! It sounds dodgy, but it’s the way it is done there.
Alternatively, if you are in a destination where card payments are the norm, use a card provider that doesn’t charge fees for using the card abroad. I use Monzo, and they offer great exchange rates and no fees. When using your card abroad, always choose to pay in the currency of your destination rather than your local currency at home. For example, if you’re in Spain, pay in EURO, not GBP.
4. Know Your Limits
Avoid fees by knowing how much your luggage weighs and the airline’s size restrictions. Budget airlines are strict, so check in advance and pack accordingly. Avoid social media hacks that promise to bypass these rules—they often don’t work. I have made this mistake before, and although I have been able to sweet-talk myself around the problem most of the time, there have been times when I have had to pay up, and it’s expensive!
My best “mishap” was in South Africa. I somehow ended up with two checked bags when my ticket only allowed one. I asked for a price at check-in and then asked what the cost would be if I paid cash, knowing that it would likely be pocketed. The check-in lady said “50 rands”, less than £2.50 at the time (BARGAIN!), and swiftly pocketed the money. Does that count as an airport hack? I’m not sure it will work in too many countries, though!
5. Use Price Comparison Tools
Before booking flights or parking, use price comparison websites and apps to find the best deals. Websites like Skyscanner and WayWay can uncover hidden gems that standard searches might miss.
I particularly like Skyscanners’ “anywhere” option. It provides great inspiration, and I have secured some great deals to locations I hadn’t even considered! One such place was Gdansk, in Poland. My friend and I secured flights for £14 each and had the best long weekend exploring this lovely city!
6. Pack Snacks
Airport food is notoriously expensive and not particularly tasty. Bring your own snacks to avoid paying inflated prices for meals. Sadly, security regulations on liquids mean you can’t bring your own drinks!
If your snacks involve meat or dairy, beware that you must have eaten everything before landing at certain destinations, as they have strict rules on what you can and can’t bring in.
7. Sign Up for Alerts
Sign up for airline newsletters and airport alerts for exclusive discounts and promotions. This way, you’ll be notified of any sales or last-minute deals.
8. Take Advantage of Free Amenities
Research what amenities your airport offers for free. Many airports provide complimentary Wi-Fi, water refill stations, and even charging points for electronics. As someone who has worked many hours at airports I can tell you these amenities are a Godsend. In fact, I get rather offended when airports don’t offer free WiFi! For example, at Istanbul Airport you only get 1 hour of free WiFi! Rubbish!
9. Consider Layovers
While not always ideal, flights with layovers can sometimes be significantly cheaper than direct ones. If you have the time, this can be a great way to save money while seeing another city, although it is not particularly sustainable.
I try and turn my layovers into trips! On my way to Nepal in November I have a 24 hour layover in Dubai and I fully intend to get out of the airport and do a desert safari!
10. Use a Loyalty Programme
My top airport hack would be to join an airline loyalty programme for benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and discounted fares. These programmes can save you money and offer perks that enhance your travel experience. I have managed to fly business 4 times thanks to the points I had managed to accumulate through the BA loyalty scheme.
My final thoughts on airport hacks
Travel doesn’t have to be an expensive and stressful ordeal, especially when you can take advantage of simple airport hacks and strategies to mitigate costs and inconvenience. By planning ahead, being informed of the available amenities and options, and capitalising on promotional deals and loyalty programmes, your time at the airport can be transformed from a mundane necessity to a pleasant part of your travel journey. Remember, it’s not just about where you’re going, but also about how you get there. Here’s to smoother, more enjoyable travels where you maintain your peace of mind and your budget in check!
By implementing these airport hacks, you’ll not only save money but also enjoy a more relaxed and enjoyable travel experience.