Tips for saving money at the airport from experts and airline staff.
Discover how to optimize your travel budget by utilizing airport lounges, avoiding duty-free shopping traps, and taking advantage of available amenities.
Traveling abroad is becoming more expensive, not just because of airfare or hotels, but right from the moment passengers arrive at the airport. Transfer fees, parking, baggage charges, and food expenses can quickly add up significantly to the total cost of a trip. However, by applying a few tips from industry professionals, travelers can save a considerable amount of money before departure.
Pressure from rising ground handling service fees.
In the UK, the cost of parking for passenger shuttles at major airports continues to see new increases. Specifically, since the beginning of this year, Heathrow Airport has raised its 10-minute parking fee from £6 (approximately 211,000 VND) to £7 (approximately 246,000 VND). Even more noteworthy, Gatwick Airport has just significantly increased this fee from £7 to £10 (approximately 352,000 VND) for 10 minutes, becoming the airport with the highest shuttle fee in the country.
Using lounges: An unexpectedly economical solution.
While it may sound luxurious, booking a seat in an airport lounge can actually save passengers money if they take full advantage of the service. According to experts from eShores, travelers can save up to £10 per adult compared to buying food and drinks separately at restaurants in the quarantine area.
A prime example is at Manchester Airport, where pre-booked lounge access costs £40.99 (over 1.4 million VND) per person. This fee includes unlimited food, tea, coffee, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages – items that would be very expensive if ordered separately at the airport.
Be cautious in duty-free shopping areas.
One common mistake tourists make is getting too caught up in the Duty Free area. Studies show that many initial listed prices are inflated, making discounts seem more appealing than they actually are. In particular, small bottles of liquids like shampoo, body wash, or sunscreen often have very high prices when considering their actual volume.
Instead of buying these small-sized products, airport staff suggest passengers buy large bottles separately and then transfer the contents into smaller, reusable containers to carry in their hand luggage. Additionally, participating in the departure airport's loyalty programs is an effective way to accumulate points and receive discounts on parking or future purchases.
Take advantage of free water resources.
A simple but extremely effective tip is to bring an empty water bottle when going through security. After disposing of the liquid as required, passengers can refill the bottle at the free water fountains located throughout the airport. This method can save each passenger up to £5 (over 170,000 VND) per trip, avoiding the need to buy expensive bottled water at the counters.
In the context of rising travel costs, small changes to pre-flight preparation habits can help passengers protect their wallets more intelligently and effectively.