I live for luxury travel and don’t mind spending money on fancy luxuries at the destination. But what I don’t want to do is spend my hard-earned money at the airport on expensive necessities when I could have avoided the expense by being prepared instead.
You’ll never catch me spending a ton of money on environmentally questionable single-use plastic bottles filled with literal water. Instead, I pack my own refillable water bottle, first aid supplies, over-the-counter medications, and other important tools for comfort and safety. This way, you can save money for more rewarding travel expenses (like perfectly crafted poolside cocktails or the Black Pearl of Tahitian). My advice is to do the same. These are the 10 things I bring every time to save money at the airport.
platypus soft bottle
Amazon
One thing about me is that I absolutely refuse to pay $6 for a bottle of water at the airport. (My mom didn’t raise me stupid.) That means I prepare myself with my own hydration plan. I love soft, portable water bottles that can be refilled at filtered water stations at many airports, including LAX, my home base. It weighs almost nothing, so you can carry it with you throughout your trip and refill it as often as you like. (It’s also an environmentally friendly choice.)
NapFun neck pillow
Amazon
Walk through most airports and you’ll see endless rows of overpriced neck pillows begging for last-minute cash. Let’s stop. Instead, get yourself an affordable neck pillow (currently on sale for about the same price as a Bloody Mary at the airport). The memory foam pillow can be stored in its own travel bag, so you can always take it with you on your next trip.
Gourmet Neoprene Soft Lunch Bag
Amazon
These days, if you buy the most affordable airline ticket available, there’s little guarantee that you’ll receive a meal, even on a long-haul flight. However, buying food at the airport or on the plane can be very unsatisfying. $18 for a few cheeses, crackers, and a handful of grapes in a bunch of useless packaging? Fair enough. I’d much rather carry my food from home in a lunch bag that’s small, light, insulated, packable, and built to last while traveling.
FYY cable organizer
Amazon
If you’ve ever forgotten that one important cable to charge your essentials, you know that airports usually have stores that will sell you what you need for a great price. I aim to avoid this opportunistic blackmail by having redundant versions of the cables I use most often and keeping them all carefully organized in my neoprene Dagne Dover technology organizer. If $70 is a bit pricey, a similar one with over 17,000 5-star reviews is currently on sale for $8 on Amazon.
Z leather luggage tag
Amazon
It is very important to label all luggage at the airport. But if you get there and realize you’ve forgotten to take care of your business, your options are to hand-write your details on a dubious slip of paper provided by the airline at the check-in counter, or go to an overpriced and dubious option. You can purchase baggage tags at the airport. airport. I decided to prep with my favorite Quince nappa leather luggage tag. It has a durable buckle and a sleeve that allows you to discreetly cover your information while traveling. These popular products on Amazon also go a long way for just $9.
Dtouayz travel pill organizer
Amazon
I hate that feeling of needing common over-the-counter medications, like painkillers, and having to pay top dollar for flimsy single-dose sleeves at airport prices. That’s why I always stock up on my over-the-counter medications for any event, and my favorite safe, leak-proof, durable, and cool-looking solution: Cadence magnetically connected travel capsules. Organized and stored. On Amazon, travelers trust this reliable $10 travel pill organizer. This organizer has four compartments to store your daily medications, supplements, and more.
General Medstore Mini First Aid Set
Amazon
Same idea here. I like to travel with a basic first aid kit so everyday discomforts don’t turn into expensive purchases at the airport. Buying a small pack of Band-Aids at the airport will cost you a few dollars for no reason. I always carry this with me. It’s great for everything from cuts to broken nails to blisters on your feet caused by chafing shoes. This small kit fits in your backpack or handbag and is filled with bandages, scissors, safety pins, and other useful travel tools.
Touchland Hand Sanitizer Spray, 3 Pack
Amazon
I interviewed a flight attendant about her favorite travel essentials, and she fell in love with this Touchland hand sanitizer, which she called “a must-have and a bougie.” I always carry this with me and have a hand sanitizer in my bag that is premium, comfortable to use, and smells great. This saves you from having to buy a more ordinary version at an increased price at the airport.
Kids activity book on board
Amazon
These days, my kids are old enough to enjoy just screen time. But when my kids were little, keeping them entertained on long flights required a lot of creative thinking and preparation. If you’re not prepared, you’ll end up spending a lot of money on airport detours (desperate times call for desperate measures). That’s why I’ve always preferred to have something of my own, like this lightweight paperback activity book.
Pharmacy Honey Saver Healing Balm
Amazon
My lips always get chapped in the dry cabin air, but I don’t want to spend too much money on a tube of waxy lipstick at an airport gift shop. That’s why I always have a good one. While traveling, it’s a multi-purpose balm that smooths the skin and acts as a soothing lip balm and as a treatment for dry skin spots, cuticles, elbows, etc. Farmacy’s Honey Savior Healing Balm is perfect for the job. Or you can stock up on something tried-and-true like a travel-sized tube of Aquaphor.
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