Airport Travel on the Low (Cost, that is)

Fuel costs may have gone down, but that doesn’t mean that the airlines previous cost-saving tactics have disappeared. In fact, a lot of those cost-saving implementations during the days of sky-high fuel prices are still around. Take for instance my recent flight on Jet Blue Airlines — the ones that promote more leg room. Now if you want those extra four inches you’ll have to pay an extra $10. I’ll just jam my legs up against the seat in front of me, thank you.

With their notoriously high priced refreshments and entertainment, the airport can be a tricky place to navigate when it comes to spending money. So, in the name of keeping down costs, we’ve put together 5 money saving tips for the airport. And all it takes is a little planning beforehand.

1. Brown Bag It.

Thinking about grabbing a $7 slice of pizza during your two hour layover? Uh uh. Save that cash for a $4 bottle of water and pack a sandwich to nibble on during that wait. Airport food providers are one of the few places that can boast a surefire way to blow $20 on a Diet Coke and a pretzel. And we’re willing to bet that whatever you can throw together in your kitchen at 4am will be just as good as whatever you’re buying there for the price of a small bag of groceries.

2. Pack Reading Material (or an Electronic Reader)

I’m always surprised when I see people buying books and magazines at those little reading kiosks in the airport. They could have picked up some library books or even a magazine at their local corner deli before they made their way to the airport. Airports jack up prices of everything inside of them. It pays (or rather, saves) to plan ahead of time for things you’ll want. And if you want the convenience of picking something up on the fly, pick up an electronic reader like the Amazon Kindle and download e-books from the comfort of your waiting room chair.

3. Be a Pro Packer

I like being prepared as much as the next person, but I have mastered the art of light packing. This is on account of two things: Most airlines now allow you to check only one bag for free, while charging for the second; and secondly, I hate, hate, HATE waiting for my luggage at the carousel. So, to avoid additional weight fees for bags and an annoying “spot and grab” at the airport, I pack two bags. One is my purse loaded down with my necessities and the other is the biggest carry-on I can manage to fit into the overhead bin.

4. Avoid Buying for In-Flight Drinks

With some airlines charging upwards of $3 per tiny drink, a six hour flight could run you some serious dough. If you’re a fan of tea or fruity beverages, bring along tea bags or single-serve powered drink mixes like Crystal Light and Kool-aid to cut costs. Last time we checked, water was still free – served hot or cold.

5. Utilize Airport Shuttles/Trains

You’d be surprised at how many public transportation alternatives there are to local airports (except for maybe Newark). For JFK, you can hop on the A subway line to Howard Beach or the E, J, or Z to Jamaica Station and transfer to the Air Train for a measly $5. There is also a bus that goes to La Guardia from 125th Street in Manhattan, as well as a few other staples like the Super Shuttle and the New York Airport Express Bus. Just keep in mind to give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport, as they’re not straight shots.

If you’re still dead set on splurging for a car service or if you have a red-eye flight, try these companies for some good, cheap, service:

Manhattan:
Allen Car Service
212-228-1111

Brooklyn:
MexExpress
718-941-5200

Bronx:
Laconia car service
718-798-2222

Queens:
Caprice Car Service
718-424-9300

Gotta Travel? Take the Bus!

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