
I'm queen of cheap family holidays – here are five ways I save money at airports from ‘free' sunscreen to food cashback
And the clever water pouch trick that can save you money
TAKING OFF I'm queen of cheap family holidays – here are five ways I save money at airports from 'free' sunscreen to food cashback
GETTING through the airport without spending more than you've paid for your flights can be a bit of a challenge when you've got a young family.
Here's my hacks for keeping costs down while not falling foul of security and airline restrictions.
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You can get "free" suncream at the airport
Credit: Getty
Grab a 'free suncream' at the airport
We all know suncream can cost a bomb abroad, but if you're only traveling with hand luggage, you might not be able to carry a big bottle with you.
When I went through Stansted at Easter, the liquid allowance was still 100ml per bottle, although it's due to be lifted at some airports this month after new scanners were installed.
But if you plan in advance, you could get a free suncream in the departure lounge once you're through the security checks.
Before you travel, get the Recycle at Boots app and find five empty health or beauty items that can't go in your kerbside recycling collection, like electric toothbrush heads or toothpaste tubes.
Read more on travel tips
SAVE A BAG I'm a travel expert - little-known luggage tip can save you money on your flight
Take a quick snap of them and upload them to the app. Once they've been added, you can bag them up and drop them in the collection point at your nearest participating Boots, before scanning the QR code on the side of the box for a voucher to claim £5 worth of Advantage Card points when you spend £10.
If you store up your points until you get through airport security, you can spend them on suncream at Boots airside.
I got a bottle of Soltan at Stansted for £6.05, so you'll need more points than you get in one recycling transaction, but there's nothing to stop you doing it several times and getting lots of points on your card, ready to spend at the airport.
It's also handy if you need liquids like Calpol or you've forgotten any essentials like toothpaste.
Local drop-off prices or free
Residents who live near Stansted Airport can pay a reduced charge at the express set down at the terminal of either 50p or £1 for up to 15 minutes, depending on whether they live within five miles or 10 miles.
There are similar schemes at other regional airports like Edinburgh and Manchester, which means that if you live near an airport or have family and friends who do, you might be able to avoid paying for airport parking.
Belfast Airport £100million upgrade
We used the free drop-off and pick-up point in one of the long-term car parks, hopping on the shuttle bus to get us to and from the airport.
Food on flight
It's worth giving a bit of thought to what you're going to eat and drink while you're at the airport and on your flight, as grabbing a quick bite can end up costing a fair bit otherwise.
I usually pack up a picnic of cut-price sarnies to dole out on the plane, but it would also be easy to bring a pot noodle and ask for some hot water from the cabin crew.
For just 70p a pop at Aldi compared to easyJet or Norse Atlantic Airways prices of £4.50 per pot, my family of five would save almost £20 with this easy hack.
We also like to bring reusable water pouches that pack flat and can be filled up once you're through security.
There's a water tap just inside the Wetherspoons at Stansted so you don't even need to ask at the bar to top up your drinks bottles.
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Most Wetherspoons pubs at the airport have a free tap you can use
Credit: Getty
Cashback cards
If you want to eat something a bit more substantial before your flight, it's often the case that chains like Pizza Express exclude their airport branches from popular deals and discounts.
But there is a way you can enjoy a meal while saving a bit of money, if you use cashback sites like Quidco.
If you've got a bit of cashback saved up on your account, you can withdraw it in the form of an e-giftcard for various restaurants.
Cashing out as a gift card rather than straight into your bank account might mean you'll get an extra amount on top of what you're withdrawing.
You can get up to 15 per cent extra on some restaurant giftcards, so if you're cashing out £10, you'll end up with £11.50 to spend.
It can take a few days for the gift card to arrive in your inbox, so you'll need to plan in advance of your travel date.
Luggage which doubles up
I'm not alone in suffering airport anxiety when it comes to making sure I don't fall foul of luggage restrictions.
But there's a couple of little tricks you could use to help yourself out if you need just a bit more space for your holiday essentials.
If you have a neck pillow that you use to sleep on your flight, you can take the inner cushion out and stuff the case with a rolled up towel or nightwear to save space in your bag.
And if you're traveling with children, some airlines like easyJet allow you to check in extra equipment like booster seats free.
My sons have a booster seat that doubles as a backpack, so we put toys or books in there to make the most of the extra space.
You need to check what your airline says about checking in children's equipment before you try this though, as you don't want to end up paying extra once you arrive at the airport!
If you give some of these tips a go, you could end up with a bit more money to enjoy yourself at your destination, instead of splashing the cash before you've even set off.
Here are some other airport tips.

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Scottish Sun
44 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Little-known Spanish holiday rules that could see you hit with £2500 fine
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Advertisement Thousands of anti-tourism protesters flooded the streets of Spain again in April. Brits have been a particular target of the protests in the past, as they are amongst the most loyal visitors to sunny spots like Majorca and Malaga. Protesters were even urged to superglue the locks of holiday rentals to render them unusable and cause a nuisance. These were the first mass anti-tourist protests of the year, following on from a string of furious demonstrations last summer. Huge crowds across 40 different Spanish cities took to the streets to send a clear message that holidaymakers are not wanted. Advertisement And the Spanish government are continuing to clamp down on the issues raised by locals. Locals claiming their homes have been turned into playgrounds for tourists have put pressure on the government to set strict rules in place that put a stop to unruly tourist behaviour. New regulations could land rule breakers whopping fines of up to £2,500. 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Wales Online
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Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The Sun travels to three cheapest Ryanair destinations this month – but which one was REALLY the best value overall?
Sun Travel boarded Ryanair's three cheapest flights to destinations in Europe to find out if they really are value for money after you land FLY BUY The Sun travels to three cheapest Ryanair destinations this month – but which one was REALLY the best value overall? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FOR a cheap jaunt to Europe, Ryanair is first in line for a bargain break - with flights sometimes as low as £11 each way. But what if low-priced flights sometimes end up costing you more, arriving at the destination only to spend a fortune on food and activities when you're there? 14 Ryanair flights are cheap but what is the best budget destination? Credit: Getty The three cheapest places you can fly to on Ryanair this month are Milan, Belfast and Gdansk. We asked three The Sun writers to spend the day exploring each city to find out how much the entire trip costs once you've bagged the bargain flight. From cheap pizza to £5 pints, the results are in - and you may be surprised to find out which break was best for your budget... Milan, Italy 14 Sun writer Bex April May says Milan can be easily explored on a budget Credit: Bex April May 14 Bex was able to get return flights to the stunning city for just £30 Credit: Getty Bex April May flew to Milan Bergamo from London Stansted for £30 return. Milan may be a designer capital of the world, and while it may have its fair share of daft designer prices, you can have a fantastic time here on a budget. I travel here at least once a month, and as editor of The Luxe Review, I've cracked the code on how to enjoy this stylish city - without breaking the bank. Forget splashing £20 on a sad sandwich by the Duomo - Milan's tastiest food is hiding in plain sight. Our first stop is Panzerotti Luini (Via Santa Radegonda), a hole-in-the-wall spot just behind the cathedral, famous for its deep-fried pockets of cheesy heaven. A piping hot, freshly made panzerotto will set you back just £2 - though you'll probably want to return for even more. The stunning Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II), right beside the Duomo is a must-see. I visited the tiny island that is Italy's best kept secret and you can avoid the summer crowds But, instead of wandering into the upscale restaurants by its entrance, take the lift up to the sixth floor and head to I 12 Gatti (The Twelve Cats), a rooftop pizzeria tucked above the Galleria. Their £10 aperitivo deal gets you a drink, and a huge Italian tagliere (meat and cheese board) for each person. It's the best bargain rooftop terrace in Milan. You can't go to Italy and not eat pizza. For cheap and tasty slices around town Pizza e Mozzarella Milano (Via Carlo Torre) serves up flesh, fluffy Margheritas for around £4.25. An espresso at an everyday cafe in Milan will generally only set you back £1 - while a glass of wine or beer is around £4. If you are after a cheap tipple, historic standing bar, Cantine Isola (Via Paolo Sarpi), a century‑old staple in Chinatown - serves up even cheaper wine by the glass, at around £2-£3, with buzzy, if not slightly chaotic vibes. 14 Rooftop bars can offer a great view of the city and there are hidden gems to be found, says Bex Credit: Alamy 14 Food is cheap in the city with fresh pasta and pizza for as little as £8 Credit: Alamy No trip to Italy is complete without an Aperol Spritz in the sun so I took a stroll along the Navigli canals, where rows of buzzing outdoor cafés line the water. Stop at Spritz Naivligi (Ripa di Porta) where you can sip a cocktail and tuck into a generous sweet and savoury aperitivo buffet as part of their evening Happy Hour - all for just £9. Believe it or not, dinner is the biggest bargain in Milan. A delicious bowl of fresh pasta, such as a Rigatoni alla Norma, starts at £8 from fab people-watching spot Navigilio 48 (Alzaia Naviglio Grande), grab a table and enjoy the show. That's your evening sorted, Italian-style. Best of all, some of the most beautiful things to do in Milan are totally free. Wander the canals of Navigli. Take in the majesty of the Duomo and the golden Madonna on top and chill out in the city's beautiful Parco Sempione, behind Sforzesco Castle - all without spending a penny. Milan might be stylish, but if you know where to go, you can enjoy Primark prices in a Prada World. Milan's cheap checklist: Getting from the airport: A bus from the airport to the centre of Milan is £10 each way Lunch: £4.25 Cup of coffee: £1 Glass of Beer: £4 Dinner with wine: £12 Best free activity: A stroll through Navigli TOTAL: £41.25 Belfast, Northern Ireland 14 Eimear is from Belfast and shares a few of her favourite places Credit: Eimear O'Hagan 14 Belfast has an incredible history, especially along the river Credit: Getty Eimear O'Hagen flew from Edinburgh, Scotland to Belfast, Northern Ireland for £31 return. I may have lived away from Belfast for over twenty years, but it will always be home to me because of the warm welcome and friendly atmosphere. Whenever I get the chance to get back there for a visit, I grab it, so I've almost become a 'local' expert again. Whether it's visiting my old haunts or discovering new ones, Belfast always delivers. I love that it's now a buzzing destination and perfect for a city break. As it's grown in popularity, so has the perception that Belfast must be an expensive place to visit. However, if you know where to go, parts of the city still offer a great time on a budget. Getting from the airport is easy, and since it was the weekend, we headed straight to St George's Market. 14 St George's Market is a great place to get cheap eats at the weekend Credit: Alamy 14 The Botanic Gardens is free to explore Credit: Alamy This place really showcases the personality of the city with live music, food and craft stalls to peruse, and a buzzy, friendly atmosphere. As well as being a cool and colourful spot, St George's Market is a historic building that has been home to a market at weekends since 1604. Better still, lunch is sorted with huge potato bowls from one of the stalls, Tapitas. A generous portion of patatas bravas is topped with a chorizo skewer and pork belly bites for only £11. However, if it's your first time to Belfast, it's almost compulsory to try the Ulster Fry at Maggie May's, in the city's university area. The all-day 'Bumper Fry' will only set you back £11 and is a proper Irish breakfast/brunch that will keep you going for hours. After a good feed, we headed off to explore Belfast on foot, which is the best way to see it. If you just want to go for a wander and see if a particular bar or restaurant takes your fancy, the Ormeau Road and Botanic area as well as the Andersonstown and Falls Roads often offer a cheaper alternative to the more touristy city centre and Cathedral Quarter. From here, Belfast's beautiful Botanic Gardens offer a step away from city life and are completely free of charge. You can also explore Belfast's historic waterfront area for zero pennies by doing the maritime mile walk, which includes iconic locations from Game of Thrones too. Stop at Paper Cup on the route for a £2.50 coffee to take along with you. If you plan on spending more than one day in Belfast, I highly recommend taking a £5 train to the beach. Holywood Beach, or 'Sea Park' as the locals call it, is only 15 minutes by train and is a beautiful spot on the coastline for a stroll and a paddle on a sunny day. Back in the city, I stopped in for some Irish charm at the American Bar at the docks. It's a favourite of mine for a great atmosphere and live music, plus a pint of Guinness is only £5.50. Or if wine's your tipple, at The Pavilion on the Ormeau Road a ¼ bottle of rose will only set you back £5.20. While some restaurants in Belfast's tourist areas have a reputation for being inauthentic and overpriced, Kelly's is a local institution. This is one of the oldest pubs in Belfast, dating back to 1720, and about as proper an Irish pub you'll get. They only serve one thing - Irish Stew - and it's really good. Tuck into a hearty bowl with a wedge of fresh warm bread for just £7.20. You'll leave feeling like a local yourself. Belfast's Cheap Checklist: Getting from the airport: A return bus ticket from Belfast International Airport to the city centre costs £13.50. Lunch: £11 Cup of coffee: £2.50 Glass of Beer: £5.50 Dinner with wine: £12 Best free activity: An afternoon on Holywood Beach TOTAL: £42.50 Gdansk, Poland 14 Helen thinks Gdansk is an underrated European city Credit: Helen Wright 14 Gdansk Old Town is beautiful and ideal for a short break Credit: Getty Helen Wright flew from London Stansted to Gdansk, Poland for £29. Finding a cheap city break and spending as little as possible while I'm there is one of my special skills as a travel writer. I love living in the UK and being able to explore Europe so cheaply and easily. But, if you don't do your research, a cheap flight can lure you in and end up costing you a fortune in food, drink and accommodation. Gdansk, Poland, is definitely not one of those places. Flights to Gdansk on Ryanair are always cheap and the city is beautiful, easy to explore, and inexpensive. If you've never been, it's the ideal city for a short break - everything is cheap. 14 I start off with a walk through Gdansk Old Town and along the historic Mariacka Street, which is one of the oldest streets in the city. You'll be surprised by the architecture, which looks more like a fairytale village in Scandinavia than a Polish city. Along Mariacka street, there are lots of cafes and bars, so I stop off a Cafe Kamienica for a £1 coffee on the sunny balcony. From here, it's a short walk to the Waterside Area which is lined with bars and restaurants but you'll pay extra for the sprawling patios and the river views. Instead, head into the Main City and grab a table at Pierogarnia Mandu, a modern restaurant that serves traditional pierogi, Polish dumplings. My favourite is the chicken, dried tomatoes and feta cheese pierogi, served with paprika-olive sauce and you get a huge bowl for £8. If you have kids with you, they also do a cheeseburger dumpling, which was a hit with my four-year-old. If you'd rather eat-while-you-walk, Ketili Puri is a Georgian bakery that sells the most delicious pastries to go. Pick up the khachapuri, creamy cheesy bread. For only £3, two people could share this for a tasty snack as you stroll in the sun. My top tip is to go to Gdansk Sunday to Tuesday if you can. This is because museums in the city are free on Mondays (some are free on Tuesdays). While fantastic museums like the European Solidarity Centre and the Museum of the Second World War are not expensive to enter anyway, you can get your culture fix without spending anything if you go at the start of the week. By now, it was time for a drink. Beer and wine in Poland is typically cheap and surprisingly good. Pull up a stool at Red Light in Chlebniczka, hidden on a backstreet between Piwna and Dlugaand, and sample the local bottled beer. Usually packed with locals, this kooky bar has a great atmosphere with a small dancefloor in the basement and a mismatch of seating upstairs. They also sell coffee if you're not ready to booze. 14 Helen and her daughter, Isobel, explored Gdansk on foot Credit: Helen Wright 14 Neptune's Fountain is one of Gdansk's most famous monuments Credit: Alamy Despite being a small city, there is something around every corner here. A look at the beautiful Neptune's Fountain is a must since it's one of the most distinctive landmarks of the city. The fountain is located at the Długi Targ, in front of the entrance to the Artus Court. This area is usually buzzing with people, buskers and street performers. My top spot for dinner is Mono Kitchen. This is a modern space, frequented by trendy hipsters, tourists and local old-timers who come for the air con as much as the great lunch deals. It's a fantastic place to sit and people watch, too. Dinner was a bargain with three courses, a glass of Prosecco or a cocktail for only £20. The food is beautifully presented and definitely feels fancier than the prices suggest. A meal here is half the price of the tourist traps along the river, but it's only five minutes away so you can walk it all off by the water, which is beautifully illuminated and looks stunning after-dark. Gdansk Cheap Checklist Public bus to Gdansk £1.40 or taxi is £15 each way (20 mins) Lunch: £8 Cup of coffee: £1 Glass of Beer: £3 Dinner and a drink: £20 Best free activity: A stroll along the waterfront TOTAL: £67 So if you're after a cheap getaway in Europe this summer, a flight to Milan to enjoy Aperol Spritz and a fresh plate of delicious pasta is certainly a good idea.