Stop Wasting Money: Here Are 7 Items You Should Never Buy at the Airport

A bottle of water here, a quick coffee there, and maybe a snack while waiting to board. None of these purchases seem particularly expensive on their own. But by the time your flight takes off, you could have spent considerably more than expected on food and drinks.

Airport convenience comes at a price, especially when travelers buy familiar products that cost less at stores outside the terminal.

Research comparing airport and city prices shows just how noticeable those differences can be. Some everyday purchases carry significant premiums, although prices vary by airport and retailer.

The good news? A little preparation can help you avoid paying extra for items you could easily bring from home or purchase before arriving.

Here are seven airport purchases worth reconsidering before reaching for your wallet.

Bottled Water

Buying water after passing through security feels like an unavoidable airport expense. But it doesn’t have to be.

In a comparison reported by the New York Post, a 24-ounce bottle of Smartwater cost $4.99 at a Hudson News store inside John F. Kennedy International Airport. The identical bottle was selling for $3.29 at a 7-Eleven in Queens.

That’s a noticeable difference for something as ordinary as water. Instead of purchasing another bottle every time you fly, consider carrying an empty reusable bottle through airport security.

TSA allows empty water bottles through checkpoints, meaning travelers can refill them after security wherever drinking fountains or bottle-filling stations are available. It’s a straightforward way to avoid paying a convenience premium for something you’ll probably need during your journey.

Packaged Salty Snacks

A small bag of pretzels might seem like an inexpensive way to pass the time before boarding. Unfortunately, airport convenience stores can make even simple snacks surprisingly costly. The same JFK shopping comparison found that a snack-sized bag of Snyder’s of Hanover Mini Pretzels cost $3.99.

At a Queens 7-Eleven, other pretzel varieties ranged from $1.69 for a store-brand option to $3.69. The store didn’t carry the identical Snyder’s product, so this wasn’t a direct price comparison.

Still, it illustrates why buying snacks before reaching the terminal deserves consideration. Pack a small bag of pretzels, crackers, or another favorite solid snack before leaving home.

You’ll have something ready when you want it without making an unplanned purchase simply because the airport store happens to be nearby.

Brewed Coffee

For many travelers, grabbing coffee before boarding is practically a ritual. However, airport coffee prices can make an ordinary cup considerably more expensive. A 2026 Upgraded Points study compared Starbucks menu prices at 53 major U.S. airports with corresponding city locations.

Researchers found that a grande brewed coffee averaged $4.17 at the sampled airport stores, compared with $3.28 at their city counterparts.

At Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the same coffee cost $5.15 inside the airport versus $2.95 at the comparison city stores.

These prices were collected in July 2026 and may have changed. If your schedule allows, consider making coffee at home or buying it before reaching the airport. That familiar morning routine doesn’t necessarily need an airport-sized price tag.

Lattes

Lattes are another familiar purchase that can quietly increase your airport spending. The Upgraded Points research found that a Starbucks grande Caffè Latte averaged $6.56 at the sampled airport locations, compared with $5.29 at the corresponding city stores.

The difference was even more noticeable at certain airports. At Las Vegas and Phoenix, researchers recorded airport latte prices of $7.75, compared with $4.95 at the city locations.

That’s $2.80 extra for the same menu item. Unlike a basic coffee purchase, a latte is often something people choose as a little treat before departure. There’s nothing wrong with that, but convenience can make the indulgence more expensive.

Consider enjoying your favorite latte before leaving for the airport, particularly if you’re already planning to stop somewhere along the way.

Breakfast Sandwiches

Early flights create the perfect conditions for expensive breakfast decisions. You’re rushing through security, checking your departure gate, and suddenly that breakfast sandwich behind the counter looks irresistible.

According to the July 2026 Starbucks pricing study, the bacon, Gouda, and egg sandwich averaged $7.25 at airport locations, compared with $5.59 at the sampled city stores. At Chicago O’Hare, Denver International, and Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport, the sandwich cost $8.15 at the airport versus $5.25 in the city.

That doesn’t mean every airport breakfast sandwich is overpriced. However, it does show how a rushed meal purchase can become unnecessarily expensive.

Consider eating breakfast before leaving home or bringing an appropriate solid-food option through security. A little planning can keep breakfast from becoming another unexpected travel expense.

Specialty Fruit Drinks

Colorful specialty drinks can be tempting, especially when you’re wandering through the terminal with time to spare. But that refreshing-looking purchase might cost considerably more than expected.

The Upgraded Points study found that a Starbucks Strawberry Açaí Refresher averaged $6.99 at airport locations, compared with $5.63 at the corresponding city stores.

At Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the drink cost $8.45, compared with $5.45 at the city location. That’s an additional $3 for one beverage. These findings apply specifically to the drink studied, not every smoothie, juice, or fruit beverage sold at airports.

If you’re simply looking for something to sip while waiting for your flight, consider using your refillable water bottle instead. Saving specialty drinks for another occasion can help keep unnecessary terminal spending under control.

Cake Pops and Small Sweet Treats

Small desserts are especially easy to buy without thinking about the price. A cake pop near the checkout counter might seem like an inexpensive treat, particularly when you’re already purchasing coffee.

However, even these little extras can carry sizable airport premiums. The Starbucks study found that a birthday cake pop averaged $4.37 at sampled airport stores versus $3.40 at city locations.

At Charlotte Douglas International Airport and two Hawaii airports, Daniel K. Inouye International and Kahului, researchers found cake pops priced at $5.15, compared with $3.25 at the corresponding city stores.

That’s a significant difference for such a small purchase. Instead of buying sweets on impulse, consider packing a favorite solid treat before traveling. You can still enjoy something sweet without paying extra simply because you’re waiting for a flight.

A Little Planning Can Make Airport Spending Easier

Not every airport charges more for food and drinks. In fact, the Upgraded Points study found that its five-item Starbucks order cost $21.85 at Pittsburgh International Airport, compared with $22.35 at the corresponding city store.

That exception matters. Airport prices aren’t universally higher, and an occasional convenience purchase might be worth the expense. Still, knowing which everyday items can carry premiums gives travelers more control over their spending.

The simplest approach is to eat before leaving, pack a few favorite snacks, carry an empty water bottle, and think twice before making impulse purchases. After all, paying extra for convenience should be a choice, not something you discover only after checking your receipt.