Lounge Access Isn’t Always Worth the Price

A day-pass to an airport lounge can look tempting, but unless you’re facing a long delay or a lengthy layover, the cost rarely matches what you actually get out of it. If your wait is only an hour or two, you’re often better off saving the money and grabbing food at a regular terminal cafe instead.

Airport Parking Rates Are Steep for a Reason

Parking directly at the terminal is one of the most reliable ways to overpay before you’ve even boarded. Pre-booking offsite parking usually saves more than half compared to the terminal rate. Keep in mind that most offsite operators also include a shuttle transfer to the terminal as part of the price.

Duty Free Isn’t Always the Bargain It Claims to Be

Duty free shopping in Australia isn’t guaranteed to be cheaper, and the price difference can be significant. A bottle of Absolut cost AUD $46 at Melbourne Airport, while the exact same bottle was just $18 in Port Vila. Before you assume duty free is the best deal, compare prices at your destination. You can always buy duty free on the way back into Australia, so there’s no need to rush the purchase on departure.

Airports Bank on You Not Checking

Every one of these rip-offs relies on the same thing: travellers assuming convenience means a fair price. A quick comparison, whether it’s booking parking ahead of time or checking prices at your destination, can make a real difference to what you actually spend at the airport.

Be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2 of the Travel Rip-Offs series to make sure you stay savvy with your money and make your travel budget stretch further.

Which one’s caught you out? Comment below and follow 5 Star Trip for more ways to stay smart with your travel funds.