Travel Tips: How to Save Money in an Airport

Traveling is expensive. If your hotel averages $150 a night, a cab to the airport costs $20 and a round trip plane ticket sets you back $350, you are probably not going to want to slap down an extra $15 for a preflight burger and fries at the airport food court. Don't expect to save any money springing for a value meal either; fast food chains may charge significantly higher prices at airports. Furthermore, you're going to spend additional money for entertainment purchases at the airport gift shops than you would your local shopping center. A passenger's best defense against super size airport prices is to be prepared. To save money on travel necessities, such as food and entertainment, passengers must supply their own.

The first rule of saving money at an airport is to bring your own food. Airport food courts thrive on hungry passengers. Even those passengers awaiting their connections, who have already been fed a meal of 14 peanuts, find themselves drawn to the lure of a $6 slice of greasy pepperoni pizza or mixed green salad with a heavy $10 price tag. Passengers could save money by bringing their own snacks. For example, mix a handful of nuts, dried fruit and pretzels for a cheaper (and fresher) alternative to the $6 trail mix from the airport newsstand. Pack a lunch of turkey sandwiches and baked chips, not only to save money, but excess calories. Wrap up last night's pizza leftovers. Most anything is edible after being in transit for three different time zones. Somewhere between Nashville and Los Angeles you'll be glad you brought homemade muffins.

The other rule of saving your dough at airports is to provide your own entertainment. Easily save $5 by bringing your own headphones (more than likely these will be the pair you bought on your last flight). Pack electronic devices, so you won't be tempted to pay top dollar at the airport for the same items. Scan Wal-Mart, Target and Best Buy's circulars to get the best price for a portable DVD or CD player. If you're more of a bibliophile, hit the local library before you travel. Stock up on books to make your flight more bearable and your inflight entertainment more affordable. Shop the dollar store the night before your trip for fun travel games and snack size treats. Lastly, if you have forgotten your entertainment essentials, scan the empty seats in the terminal gates. Most people leave behind a newspaper or magazine when they're done reading them. And never underestimate the entertainment value of your airline's inflight magazine. Many feature games, puzzles and engaging articles to pass the time.

Over the course of a few vacations or business trips, packing your own food and entertainment could save you hundreds of dollars. Why not save up for something worthwhile? Resisting the urge to splurge on a $10 meal at the airport could be the difference between flying coach and saving money for first class.