Written By Finance TravelingMom Sunday, April 04, 2010 06:08
Traveling can be expensive. Flight prices are constantly going up as airlines decrease flights per day, and you can drop a small fortune at your airport - even beyond the cost of the flight. Here are some suggestions to save money at the airport, so you can spend the money on your family vacation!
Research parking options. Some airports offer long-term parking lots, which are further away, but a lot cheaper. You may also consider off-property lots.
Bring your own snacks. You can't bring liquids through security, so you'll need to purchase water and other drinks at the airport. But, you can still bring snacks - protein bars, nuts, fresh fruit are great healthy travel snacks that will fill you up.Try to carry on. Depending on the airline, you can spend up to $50 round-trip to check a bag. If you are a frequent traveler, consider investing in a high-quality carry-on bag that can carry loads of stuff. I like the Zuca Pro, which is expensive but worthwhile if you travel frequently.
Bring your own blanket/pillow/headphones: Airlines are starting to charge for these, so bring your own to avoid those fees. Instead of bringing a blanket, I prefer to wear a cashmere-blend pashmina, which I can use as a scarf or wrap but also as an ad-hoc blanket. It's more comfortable, and I can use it at my destination.
Any other tips for saving money at the airport? Leave a comment!
Photo credit: Kevin Dooley on Flickr
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Comments
Also, families can research flying out of other airports, rather than the largest one near you. For instance in Chicago, compare O'Hare flights to Midway, Rockford or even Milwaukee.
You don't have to buy drinks once through security, especially at the outrageous prices of bottled water. We bring empty plastic bottles and fill them with cold water from the water fountain by the departure gate. I also bring powdered drink mix (Gatorade, Crystal Light, Kool Aid) to make it more interesting and cover up any funny taste the water may have.
I'll pack a lunch that travels well and bring along protein or granola bars, nuts, and cookies. It saves $ we'd rather spend at our destination.
When we traveled to Wales in the UK to visit relatives, I downloaded Susan Cooper's classic series The Dark is Rising. I also bought a 'headphone hub' which allows you to plug in up to 5 sets of headphones for one iPod. My mother, son and I listened to this series and later on our trip, we were actually able to VISIT the Welsh coastal town of Aberduvvy, where one of the books takes place. Imagine listening to a wonderful story and then walking on the same beach the characters walked on in the book! So audiobooks, headphones and headphone hub can keep everyone quiet and entertained- but also create a shared experience during long flights that gives you something to talk about, instead of each being off in your own little world!
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