10 ways to save time and money at the airport

 1. Keep on top of allowances and banned things. Know what you can and cannot take through security, this will help you avoid surprises and products going into the bin at the airport. We’ve seen plenty of expensive perfume/aftershave being thrown away! Double-check all your bottles, and remember security can be different when returning so don’t just assume you’re OK.

2. Plan for extra luggage and double-check the weight and measurements of your luggage at home. For example, paying for an extra bag or heavy bag on the day of your flight will be stupidly expensive compared with booking it a day or week before. This is especially true for budget airlines like Ryanair. See our recommendation for the best travel hand luggage bag here.

3. Dress comfortably and strategically. Wearing comfortable shoes will help you get through security faster, and layering your clothing will help you stay comfortable in case of any delays but more importantly allows you to spread your baggage allowance across your body. Plan to carry a jumper/hoodie as this is an ideal makeshift pillow for longer flights (see video below).

4. Bring your own snacks and drinks / utilise free water! Airport food can be is expensive, so it’s worth bringing your own snacks and drinks to save money (remember you can bring empty water bottles through security and most airports have FREE water available). We would recommend you buy one of these bottles or, if you want to reduce the risk of cross-contamination, one of these. Got kids or prefer something that isn’t just water? Consider buying some 66ml Robinson concentrate. You could also take your own coffee bags/tea bags and ask for some free boiling water…

5. Consider Airport Lounges for unlimited food and drink (including alcohol). Generally, we would recommend avoiding using airport services that come with a fee, although there is a slight caveat with some airport lounges, as sometimes they can be cost-effective (especially if you can access one for free/cheap). If possible, use the free services offered by the airport, such as free WiFi, free water refill & free charging stations and bring your own food/drink will be cheaper, but depending on how hungry you are and especially if you fancy a few alcoholic drinks, check the options for airport lounges (before you go) as they often can be more affordable than you might think, remember they do drastically vary in their quality and price but unlimited drinks and food is often.

How should I pay for lounge access? 

• Check it’s not already included with your credit card (e.g. Amex Gold), bank accounts (Natwest & Barclays Premier Members) or similar.
• Check Holiday Extras, they promise to price match
• Priority Pass is a good solution if you travel a lot but it’s not cheap @ £69 per year + £24 per visit
• Check third-party companies, e.g. DragonPass for £24/visit or via the Regus deal page (NOTE: reviews of DragonPass are very mixed so tread carefully here, for a safer bet we would pay a little more here)

6. Plan for your transportation to and from the airport (both sides). This can help you save money on rip-off taxis or other unnecessary transportation costs. Book car parks etc well in advance to save on the price. Consider parking nearby to the airport using something like JustPark or even better get a family member to drop/collect you! Also consider walking the last part (if you have plenty of time) as many airports charge drop off fees these days. When you land the other side, again do plenty of research into buses into the centre of town / toward your accommodation (if not included) etc, where you could then pickup a cheaper taxi or walk to your final destination.

7. Look for deals and discounts (e.g. extra 5% off duty-free). Sign up for newsletters from your favourite airlines, the duty free companies, travel websites to stay updated on the latest deals, for instance it’s fairly common for 5% discounts on various duty free companies if you register on their website BEFORE you pay! If it’s not clear ask staff how to save money, most will help. Finally double check you’re not being ripped off at Duty Free, as sometimes it’s all a lie and it’s far more expensive than buying at home!

8. Consider click and collect before you go – Click and collect items (including those over 100ml) from the likes of Boots AFTER security – Note: This now includes a £4.50 charge, annoyingly so largely isn’t worth it unless you’re ordering something costly or you’re doing a big order, but this allows you lock in savings before you get to the airport + allows you to travel with these items on your person/in your hand luggage. Just be cautious which location you collect from as some Boots stores are BEFORE security! Also, remember if you buy something 100ml on the way out, when you return the 100ml rule will apply again so it will go in the bin!

9. Look out for possible ways to jump any queue. Humans (especially British ones) seem to love to queue. We’re not suggesting you start pushing in, but see if walking a little further would open you up to a clearer check-in desk, security line, etc. Look ahead to see people who are slow and aim to walk around them to cut out a queue starting to form. Some airports also have ‘secret’ relax areas, so search TikTok or similar for the airport you’re heading to.

10. Spend 5 minutes understanding your mobile phone’s data allowance for the place you’re visiting, and make sure you disable mobile roaming before you take off (if needed) for when you arrive the other end, we forgot this once and woke up after 8 hours and was charged over £30 in data usage before we realised!