9 Things You Should Never Buy at the Airport

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Airport pricing is notoriously inflated. With a captive audience and high operating costs, airport vendors routinely mark up everything from meals to parking. Don’t let a last-minute panic purchase drain your wallet– plan ahead by knowing these nine items to avoid buying at the airport.

Duty-Free Merchandise

Depending on your airport, it may be possible to snag a duty-free deal occasionally. But it’s important to know that duty-free in no way ensures a good buy. Although some items like cigarettes or alcohol might be cheaper if you live in a state with high taxes on these items, duty-free shops are usually more expensive for food items or electronic goods.

The solution? When making duty-free purchases, do a little homework. Go online ahead of time and do some cost comparisons, especially if you’re eyeing a big-ticket buy. 

Foreign Currency

Since currency exchange desks in airports often charge travelers sky-high transaction fees, the airport is probably not the best place to exchange money. 

A good alternative strategy is to get foreign currency by taking out money at an ATM in your destination; this way, you’ll likely get the best interbank exchange rate, which is usually much better than rates offered at airport exchange counters. Contact your bank before your trip for more information on any possible foreign transaction fees.

Bottled Water

Stop wasting $5 on bottled water and instead pack an empty reusable water bottle. Most airports have water bottle refilling stations where travelers can fill their bottles with filtered water after going through security. 

Souvenirs

Plan ahead and buy your souvenirs before you’re at the airport, waiting for your flight home. Airport souvenir stores usually sell severely marked-up merchandise that can be found elsewhere for a lot less. Plus, the wares tend to be quite unoriginal: trite T-shirts, boring mugs, and flimsy key chains that you can find anywhere.

There are exceptions to this rule, as some airports offer unique finds, like gifts crafted by local artisans. Our advice, as always, is to do your research before you get to the terminal so that you can compare prices. You could even take a quick look at what’s on offer when you land and then buy whatever you need when you return to the airport upon departure.

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In-Flight Essentials

Trapped in their terminals, travelers are at the mercy of airport prices if they have to replace a forgotten essential like a neck pillow or an eye mask. To prevent paying for a last-minute replacement, keep a packing list on your phone and check off items as you prepare for your trip.

Restaurant Meals

You may have noticed that restaurants commonly charge higher prices for menu items in airport locations than they do elsewhere. There’s a reason for this: Restaurants’ operating expenses are generally higher at airports than at street locations. But food costs can vary even by the terminal, heightening the confusion for travelers who want to compare prices.

Pack your meal from home to sidestep the gouge–it will be tastier, cheaper, and more nutritious. For the return journey, pick up something from a local restaurant that’s easy to transport and can last a few hours without refrigeration or reheating. 

Wi-Fi

Although many airports offer free Wi-Fi, some hubs are still firmly entrenched in the dark ages, charging flyers to search the Web while waiting to depart. Before you enter your credit card number, see if you can get connectivity for free. Some ways to do this: Sit near the entrance of an elite flyer’s lounge or in an airport hotel lobby, both of which might offer free Wi-Fi that’s not password protected.

Or try your terminal’s Starbucks. Although all Starbucks stores offer free Internet, airport locations are sometimes the exception. Some offer free connectivity; some don’t. 

Magazines (While Abroad)

You’re not normally taking a big hit to your budget when you grab the latest copy of National Geographic at the terminal newsstand. But when overseas, watch out. Imported U.S. magazines cost much more than those sold at home and can sell for well over the recommended list price at overseas airports, even if they’re old (primarily due to taxes and shipping costs).

Instead, subscribe to your favorite magazine before heading out for your trip. Some libraries even offer digital access to magazines that you can download on your e-reader for free. 

A Parking Spot

You’ll frequently find a better price at off-site parking lots than at airport lots. Before arriving at the airport, do your research and compare off-airport parking through services like AirportParking.com. Just be sure to leave additional time to take a shuttle to the airport after parking.

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