Savvy Talks: 10 Things I Refuse To Waste Money On At The Airport
Because I'd Rather Spend My Money On Vacation Than Before I Even Get On The Plane.
Have you ever arrived at the airport with everything you need, only to spend $75 before you've even boarded?
A bottle of water. A snack. A phone charger because yours is buried somewhere in your suitcase. Maybe a magazine. And suddenly you've spent enough money to have a pretty nice lunch when you arrive.
Airports are brilliant at getting us to spend money. You're bored, you're hungry, you're anxious about your flight, and you have nowhere else to go.
And don't even get me started on the smell of Garrett Popcorn at O'Hare. I'm Cuban, not made of stone. That cheese popcorn is a serious weakness.
But after years of traveling, I've learned that a little planning can save you a surprising amount of money.
I put my whole airport survival kit in one place so you don’t have to hunt for it
Here are 10 airport purchases I'd rather avoid—and what I do instead.
1. 💧 The $5 Bottle Of Water
This might be the easiest airport expense to eliminate.
I understand paying extra for convenience, but water? Really?
Most major airports have bottle-filling stations, so I bring an empty reusable bottle through security and fill it before boarding.
The Savvy Swap: A lightweight, leakproof water bottle that fits in your carry-on. Insulated is nice, but honestly, you don't need a $50 bottle to drink water.
2. 🥨 The Emergency $18 Snack Run
There's something about airports that makes people suddenly ravenous.
You just ate breakfast, but the minute you pass a kiosk selling chips, cookies and trail mix, you're stocking up like you're heading into the wilderness.
I bring my own snacks, usually good beef jerky from a butcher shop and nuts. They keep me satisfied without having to buy whatever happens to be available at the gate.
And yes, people always seem to notice my beef jerky. I think they're jealous.
The Savvy Swap: Pack a few satisfying, shelf-stable snacks in a reusable pouch or small container. You don't need a fancy organizer with 14 compartments. You're boarding a plane, not opening a buffet.
One warning: If you're traveling internationally, check the rules for bringing meat, nuts and other foods into your destination.
3. 🔌 The Charger You Already Own Three Of
We've all done it.
You're sitting at the gate, your phone battery is at 12%, and you suddenly realize your charging cable is in your checked luggage.
Now you're buying another one at airport prices.
My solution is to keep a dedicated charging kit in my travel bag. It never comes out except when I'm traveling.
The Savvy Swap: A compact organizer with the charging cables and adapters you actually need. A multi-connector cable can be useful, but make sure it supports your devices and the charging speeds you need.
And remember, spare lithium battery power banks generally belong in your carry-on, not your checked luggage. Check your airline's rules.
4. 🎧 The Headphones You Buy In A Panic
Imagine a long flight without headphones.
Actually, don't. It's too depressing.
Airport electronics stores know exactly how desperate you are when you've forgotten yours.
I always pack my headphones in the same place, along with a charging cable and any adapter I need for the airplane entertainment system.
The Savvy Swap: Comfortable noise-canceling headphones or earbuds you already love.
And if you use Bluetooth headphones, check whether you'll need an adapter for the seatback screen.
5. 😴 The Neck Pillow That Looks Comfortable Until You Use It
Have you seen those airport displays filled with neck pillows?
They look so inviting. Especially when you're exhausted.
But a bad neck pillow can be worse than no pillow at all. Your head falls forward, your neck hurts, and now you're carrying around an enormous foam doughnut for the rest of your trip.
I learned the importance of being comfortable the hard way on a recent flight home from Hong Kong, when I spent six hours standing in the back of the plane because my seat situation was so miserable.
The Savvy Swap: Find a travel pillow that actually supports your head in the position you sleep. Try it at home before you travel.
And if you don't sleep on planes, skip it altogether.
6. 🧴 The Tiny Toiletries With The Giant Price Tags
Forget your moisturizer or toothpaste, and suddenly you're browsing airport shops where everything seems to cost twice what you expected.
I prefer to keep a small toiletry kit permanently stocked for travel.
Toothbrush. Toothpaste. Lip balm. Moisturizer. The essentials.
Nothing fancy.
The Savvy Swap: Refillable travel-size containers for products you already use.
And for carry-on luggage, remember the TSA's standard 3.4-ounce (100 mL) limit for liquids, gels and creams, with applicable exceptions.
7. 📚 The Book You Buy Because You're Bored
I love a real book. I love turning pages. I love browsing bookstores.
But airport bookstores have a special power over me.
Suddenly, a book I had absolutely no intention of reading looks fascinating.
The problem? I already have about six books waiting for me at home.
The Savvy Swap: Download books before leaving home, whether you use a Kindle, tablet or phone.
And here's a money-saving trick I love: Many public libraries let you borrow ebooks and audiobooks for free through apps like Libby.
Free books. For an entire vacation.
What's not to love?
8. 🛍️ The Duty-Free "Deal" That Isn't Necessarily A Deal
Here's something I've learned: Just because something is sold in a duty-free shop doesn't automatically mean it's cheaper.
Perfume, cosmetics, sunglasses and other luxury items can be tempting, especially when you have time to kill.
But unless you know what the item normally costs, how do you know you're getting a bargain?
The Savvy Swap: If there's something you genuinely want, check its regular retail price before your trip. Compare the actual price, taking taxes and currency conversion into account.
And don't forget that duty-free purchases may still be subject to customs allowances or taxes when you arrive.
9. 🧥 The Airport Sweatshirt Because You're Freezing
Why is it that airplanes can feel like refrigerators?
I've seen people buying overpriced sweatshirts and blankets because they didn't anticipate how cold they'd be.
I always travel with an extra layer.
A lightweight sweater, wrap or scarf can make a huge difference without taking up much space.
The Savvy Swap: A soft, packable wrap that works on the plane and doubles as something you can wear during your trip.
One item. Two jobs. My favorite kind of packing.
10. ☕ The Coffee, Snack Or Souvenir You Didn't Actually Want
This is the one that gets us all.
You've got 45 minutes before boarding. You're wandering around the terminal. You smell coffee. You see chocolates. Maybe a cute little travel accessory.
You buy something.
Not because you need it. Because you're there.
Airports turn waiting into shopping.
And sometimes that's perfectly fine. I will defend an occasional bag of Garrett's cheese popcorn until my last breath.
But there's a difference between buying something you genuinely enjoy and buying something simply because you're bored.
The Savvy Swap: Bring something to do. Download a podcast, save a few articles, read a book or take a walk through the terminal.
And if you really want the popcorn?
Buy the popcorn.
Just don't buy a $30 phone charger and a $25 neck pillow on the way.
❤️ The Real Secret To Spending Less At The Airport
You don't need a suitcase full of special travel gadgets.
You need a few things that work, a little preparation and the ability to walk past a store without convincing yourself that you suddenly need something inside.
My rule is simple: If I already own it, I shouldn't have to buy it again at the airport.
And the money I save?
I'd much rather spend it on a great meal, a little shopping or something memorable when I actually get where I'm going.
Unless, of course, we're talking about Garrett's cheese popcorn.
Some things are nonnegotiable.