{"id":91352,"date":"2023-02-06T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-06T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.www.smartertravel.com\/2013\/06\/14\/10-free-things-you-can-get-at-airports\/"},"modified":"2023-02-06T12:24:30","modified_gmt":"2023-02-06T17:24:30","slug":"10-free-things-you-can-get-at-airports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/10-free-things-you-can-get-at-airports\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Free Things You Can Get at Airports"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Airports have some pretty amazing amenities like golf courses and full-service spas. But for cash-strapped travelers, some of the very best airport perks are the ones you can get for the price of showing up. The secret to bagging many of these airport freebies is being in the know. Here\u2019s a rundown of not-so-obvious airport freebies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water Bottle Refill<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"drinking
Grusho Anna\/Shutterstock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ever since I discovered that water fountains are one of the germiest places in airports<\/a>, I\u2019ve been inclined to avoid them. In the past, the alternative to a water-fountain refill is usually an absurdly expensive bottle of Fiji. But an increasingly large number of airports is now offering hydration stations where you can fill up reusable water bottles<\/a> via automatic hands-free sensors. San Francisco International, Chicago O\u2019Hare, London Heathrow, and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson are among the many major airports that offer this perk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Tour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Tourist
happycreator\/Shuttersock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why sit at the gate when you could see something new instead? Several airports offer complimentary tours for travelers passing through. There are free tours of Singapore<\/a> that operate out of Changi Airport (temporarily suspended due to COVID), and travelers stopping in Seoul\u2019s Incheon International Airport can hop aboard one of a variety of tours<\/a> to temples, markets, or even a cave. Additionally, Turkish Airlines offers free Istanbul<\/a> tours for flyers stopping in Istanbul Ataturk Airport, but you must be traveling on that airline to be eligible.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

Related:<\/h3>\n

The 11 Best Group Tour Travel Companies<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A Book<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"amsterdam
NOOR RADYA BINTI MD RADZI\/Shutterstock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t necessarily have to shell out full price at the airport bookstore in order to find something good to read during your layover or on your flight. Several airports have installed libraries where you can borrow a book or drop off one you\u2019ve just finished. Helsinki Airport offers a book swap point<\/a> in its Kainuu Lounge, while Tallinn Airport has a library<\/a> that \u201coperates purely on trust,\u201d with passengers expected to return borrowed books on their return flight or \u201csome other time.\u201d Amsterdam Schiphol also has a library<\/a>, complete with books, iPads, and cozy seating areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religious Services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"multi-faith
Damian Lugowski\/Shutterstock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Whether seeking ceremony or just a quiet space to sit, flyers will find free facilities for doing just that at numerous airports. Various religious and spiritual services, from interfaith chapels at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson<\/a> to a quiet meditation room at Albuquerque International Sunport<\/a>, are available in terminals around the world. These services are almost always free, but donations are usually welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

Related:<\/h3>\n

The 12 Best Flight Search Sites for Booking Cheap Airfare<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A Pet Potty Break<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Pet
ishootmagic\/Shutterstock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

More and more airports are offering animal-relief facilities for those traveling with four-footed friends; this is often a fenced-in patch of outdoor space reserved especially for pets. Some are nicer than others. At Miami International Airport<\/a>, look for the handful of dog parks surrounded by white picket fences and featuring both grass and dirt surfaces as well as waste-disposal stations. (Note that you\u2019ll have to go through security after visiting Miami\u2019s outdoor pet-relief areas; indoor restroom spaces are available post-security.) Other airports just have a patch of grass surrounded by chain-link fencing; still, that\u2019s better than nothing. For a more complete list of airport pet-relief areas, see this helpful roundup on Dog Jaunt<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luggage Tags<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Luggage
smolaw11 | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Luggage tags<\/a> might not be the most exciting freebee on this list, but, as many experienced travelers know, they\u2019re available for free at almost all airport ticket counters. And they\u2019re very useful\u2014especially if you\u2019ve forgotten to affix your own luggage tags. You should fill out and attach a bag tag to each checked piece of luggage\u2014and carry-ons, too\u2014so that airline staff can identify your bags in case they get lost. Either you\u2019ll find the free luggage tags sitting on the check-in counter, or you\u2019ll need to ask for them.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

Related:<\/h3>\n

What Are the Worst Airlines for Lost Luggage?<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A Little Help When You Need It<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Wheelchair
VTT Studio | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Disabled travelers will find special assistance at airports around the world. But they\u2019re not the only ones who need a little help sometimes. Many airports have programs that offer assistance to virtually anyone who needs it, such as young travelers, flyers who don\u2019t speak the local language, or even lost or confused passengers\u2014for free. For example, at New York\u2019s JFK and Newark Airports, a nonprofit program called Traveler\u2019s Aid<\/a> exists to provide support to kids traveling alone, people who have lost their tickets, or those who have gotten separated from travel companions. Similar setups are available at many airports, from Travelers Aid Chicago<\/a> at O\u2019Hare Airport to Customer Care Counters<\/a>, which can provide information in up to 170 languages, at Vancouver International Airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fragile Stickers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Man placing \"Fragile\" stickers on his suitcases
Elnur | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Safeguard breakables with a free \u201cfragile\u201d sticker affixed to your bag. Some travelers buy these in advance<\/a>, but they\u2019re offered at most airline check-in counters free of cost. Just ask your airline customer-service agent to slap a few on your suitcases. Although we can\u2019t promise that the baggage handler tossing luggage onto the plane is going to read and also heed that sticker, it\u2019s worth a try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wi-Fi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Person
creativefamily | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Keep yourself entertained during long layovers without burning through your phone\u2019s data, thanks to an increasing number of airports offering free Wi-Fi\u2014including Atlanta<\/a>, Denver<\/a>, Toronto Pearson<\/a>, London Heathrow<\/a>, Sydney<\/a>, Charlotte<\/a>, Boston<\/a>, Los Angeles<\/a>, and many more.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

Related:<\/h3>\n

How to Use Your Phone Abroad<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Some Exercise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"People
Somkiat | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It all started in Northern California. The Yoga Room<\/a> at San Francisco International Airport was, according to many reports, the world\u2019s first airport yoga room. Since that amenity opened, it\u2019s become much more common to see travelers folding into downward dog or working up a sweat via jogging trails in airports. There are free yoga rooms at the Miami<\/a>, Dallas\/Ft. Worth<\/a>, Burlington<\/a>, and more. Meanwhile, Baltimore\/Washington has a two-kilometer Cardio Trail<\/a> that flyers can access free of charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Editor\u2019s note: This story was originally published in 2013. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Sarah Schlichter contributed to this story.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Some of the very best airport perks are the ones you can get for the price of showing up. Here’s a rundown of not-so-obvious airport extras, which are offered to travelers at no charge.<\/p>\n

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