Terminal Temptations: 8 Things You Should Never Buy at the Airport

Busy airport travel day

groveb/istockphoto

Cheapism is editorially independent. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site.
Busy airport travel day
groveb/istockphoto

Wallet Safety Above All

Airports can pretend to be cafes and nightclubs all they want, but in truth, we Cheapists know that being at the airport is a miserable experience. In addition to all the money we've spent to be there in the first place, sometimes we don't have time to eat first, leaving us to suffer through a $20 box of lettuce and carrots just to put food in our stomachs. But there’s plenty we can avoid, too. Here are eight things to avoid purchasing at the airport.


Related: 12 Things You Should Never Buy at a Thrift Store

Skullcandy Grind Fuel True Wireless Earbuds
Costco
Bottled Water
Kyryl Gorlov/istockphoto
airport currency exchange
airport currency exchange by N509FZ (CC BY-SA)

Foreign Currency

Brutal currency exchange rates are an entirely avoidable expense at the airport. There’s probably a place near your arrival or departure destination with lower rates, or maybe even a mall kiosk. For the best rates of all, talk to your bank: With enough notice, you can often exchange money for no fee at all.

Young man hailing a taxi in an airport
FG Trade/istockphoto

Taxis

I need to be clear: I feel bad coming for taxis like this. But the truth is, rideshares are just so much better in nearly every way, and I can’t do anything if these cab companies are unable to adapt. Save your money, don’t get scammed. Use a rideshare. (And if you can't stand the thought of supporting Uber or Lyft, opt for one of these ride-hailing alternatives.)

BCOZZY 3-7 Y/O Kids Travel Neck Chin Supporting Pillow for Traveling
Amazon

Neck Pillows

If you want to arrive at your destination without a sore neck, neck pillows are key. Luckily, you can find quality neck pillows for under $20 on the internet; there’s no reason to spend much more than that at the airport. I recently saw one inside a terminal selling for $50. Good luck with that one, airport.

Pharmacy
LaylaBird / istockphoto

Pharmacy Items

Don’t forget your Advil. Double check the toothpaste. Make sure you brought the sunscreen. I once paid $17 for a tiny stick of deodorant when I left mine behind on a trip. Absolutely humiliating stuff.

Liquor store
GoodLifeStudio/istockphoto

Duty Free

Though Duty Free is also tax-free, it doesn't always mean that you're saving any money. Airports can still mark up their booze, even without tax. Fire up Google and do a quick comparison before you buy — it might be a lot cheaper when you land.

California roll maki sushi
szaffy/istockphoto

Sushi

Look, I can’t speak for every airport in the world, but damn, this seems like a no-brainer. Sushi is my favorite food on the planet, but if airports can barely get a ham sandwich going, there’s no reason to believe in raw fish.