10 Items to Never Buy at the Airport

For those who travel via planes often know how pricy airports can be. With layovers and delays, passengers can be tempted to make unwanted and unnecessary purchases at the airport. Airports are known to jack up prices, especially on the more essential items passengers are more tempted to buy.

Over the years, airports have modernized and kept up with the trends, providing passengers with several popular retail, dining, and drinking options.

We know flying is expensive enough, so we are here to provide helpful travel tips on the 10 purchases to avoid buying at the airport.

1. Bottled Water

The number one priority for most travelers is having a beverage while traveling, especially water. According to US News, water bottles cost about $5. Although that isn’t that steep of a price, it can definitely add up.

One way to avoid this cost is to bring an empty, reusable water bottle to the airport. Not only does bringing a reusable water bottle save money, but it’s also ecologically friendly, so overall, it’s a win-win.

Remember that liquids above 3 oz are not allowed through the TSA, so be sure to empty these water bottles beforehand.

Extra Tip: Duty-free shops sometimes promote “travel-exclusive” bottled water or drinks, but these are usually no better than what you’ll find in the terminal and often just as overpriced.

2. Medicine

Traveling will surely bring on headaches and stress, and airports are prepared for that. OTC medicine in the airport is extremely overpriced and is known to be sold in travel-size packaging, which is known to be small and convenient for traveling but not worth the money.

Knowing about the extremely outrageous medicine prices at the airport, pack all the medicine you need before heading there. It should also be known that OTC medicine is allowed through TSA.

Extra Tip: The same goes for quick-grab kiosks that push last-minute travel insurance or health kits. Buying them on the spot is almost always more expensive than booking online or packing ahead.

3. Wi-Fi

Nowadays, technology is very prominent, especially when traveling. Our smartphones are forever in our hands, checking social media, emails, and more. Wi-Fi can be considered essential for some, but there’s no reason to waste your money on it.

Airports provide guests with free Wi-Fi, but it expires over time. You’ll be prompted to pay a fee to continue using their Wi-Fi but try to resist that urge because it’s not worth the price. Instead, utilize your data or take a smartphone break and read or window shop along the terminal.

Extra Tip: Instead of paying for extended Wi-Fi or even splurging on a lounge day pass just to get internet, use your phone’s hotspot or see if your credit card includes complimentary lounge access. Stand-alone day passes often cost $60–$90 and are rarely worth it unless you have a very long layover.

4. Souviners

When traveling to any location, touristy or not, there will be a gift shop with souvenirs in sight. Travelers might see something they haven’t seen outside of the airport or be sucked into buying a gift for someone, but you definitely should avoid these purchases at all costs.

Not only are the prices of the souvenirs and gifts easily over double the price they would normally be there, but they are also not authentic. Make sure to save time during your trip to look at a gift shop anywhere but the airport to save yourself money.

Extra Tip: Duty-free shops fall in the same category. While they seem appealing, perfumes, cosmetics, and alcohol are often marked up compared to retail or online prices. Save your souvenir or splurge purchases for outside the airport.