With the summer holiday season in full swing, millions of Brits are plotting their escape from the daily grind. Yet, with prices on the rise from check-in to check-out, everyone is feeling the pinch. Data from the national statistics office showed air fares rose by 7.9% between May and June 2025, marking the most significant increase since 2018.

Fortunately, there are several ways to cut costs at the airport, with some helping to save a “small fortune”. From currency exchanges to airport lounge access, here are a few ways to make some savings before your trip abroad.

Currency

Simon Phillips, managing director at No1 Currency, told Express.co.uk: “Never, ever leave it to the airport to buy your foreign currency. They might be convenient, but airport bureaux de change pay very high rents to be in the terminal building, and they recoup this cost by offering poor exchange rates to travellers who are effectively a captive audience.”

“It’s easiest and usually the best value to swap your pounds for local currency before you travel. Exchange rates vary between different travel money providers, so do shop around to find the ones near you with the best rates. Good providers will charge no commission, and offer a click and collect option or a secure home delivery service.”

When abroad, use a fee-free travel card that gives you the real exchange rate. Many digital banks like Monzo or Starling let you spend abroad with little or no extra fees.

Food and drink

There are several ways to beat the inflated food and drink prices at the airport, and they involve some preparation.

Nicholas Smith, holidays digital director at Thomas Cook, said: “Bringing your own snacks can also save a small fortune, if you stay a short time at the airport. Airport food is notoriously overpriced, and airlines often charge extra for meals – particularly on budget carriers.

“Look out for Boots or WH Smiths, who are usually present in the large terminals and offer sandwich meal deals at relatively normal prices.”

Airport lounge access

He also noted that packing sandwiches, fruit, and reusable water bottles (filled after security) can be even better on the wallet. However, Mr Smith pointed out: “If you plan to stay a very long time at the airport, you may find pre-booking an airport lounge more economical – these usually come with food and drink and can be a pleasant way to kill time.”

Look for deals on sites like Lounge Pass or Holiday Extras, and check for discount codes and offers.

No1 Lounges is offering customers a 15% discount to celebrate the opening of its two new locations in Heathrow Terminal Three and Jersey. When booking directly through No1 Lounges, use the code MYLOUNGE-LHR3 and JERSEY at checkout. These offers are available until August 16 and August 31, respectively.

For other No1 Lounges locations, Daily Express readers can use the code DEXP15 for 15% off passes. The offer is available until midnight on Sunday, August 31, 2025. Bookings must be made directly through No1 Airport Lounges, and the discount cannot be used in conjunction with other offers.

Also, some credit cards or bank accounts, such as Barclays and NatWest Premium, come with free airport lounge access, so make sure to check this, too.

Taxis

People usually find the cheapest flights are offered for very early mornings or late evenings, but this might not save you money overall.

Mr Smith said: “We recommend factoring in the likely extra costs of taking these flights. For example, if you normally get a train to the airport, it may not be possible for these early morning flights. Do the extra costs of getting a taxi outweigh the savings of the flight?”

When reaching the destination, Mr Smith urged people to avoid catching taxis directly from the terminal. He said: “If you do make sure it is a legitimate taxi and agree to the costs in advance. Apps like Uber may help you navigate your journey to your hotel with more peace of mind.”

He added: “Airport transfers can be even less expensive than the taxis, and we recommend you pre-book these.”

Travel insurance

Don’t overlook travel insurance. Experts suggest buying it as soon as you book your trip, not the day before you fly. This means you’ll be covered if anything goes wrong before you leave the country.

New research by Tesco Insurance showed over a third (36%) of Brits have either lost or had an item stolen abroad, including passports and gadgets. This is a costly error, as replacing these belongings can cost hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds.

Alex Cross, chief customer officer at Tesco Insurance, said: “The best way to stay protected is to plan ahead: invest in tracking devices like AirTags, secure your luggage properly, and ensure your travel insurance covers your belongings – including gadgets – from the moment you book.

“Travel insurance is an important consideration for any trip you take, even if it’s just a short city break. While it comes in handy for things like cancellations or damage to your luggage, it’s invaluable if the unexpected does happen and you need medical treatment.”

You can use an online comparison tool to find the cheapest insurance, such as the Money Saving Expert website. Be sure to check the conditions of your policy too, as you may find some providers won’t cover you in certain circumstances, such as when drinking alcohol or taking part in extreme sports.

Download the airline app

To boost the opportunity to snap up even more savings, Mr Smith said: “Don’t forget to download not only your travel agency’s but also the airline’s app before you fly.

“Not only can you access boarding passes and receive real-time updates, but some airlines also offer exclusive in-app discounts for meals, upgrades, and duty-free shopping.”