10 Free Things You Can Get at Airports

7/28/2019 10 Free Things You Can Get at Airports

1/11

10 Free Things You Can Get at Airports

(Photo:Grant Wickesvia flickr/CC Attribution)

Airports have some pretty amazing amenities nowadays, 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 freebies is being in the know. Here's a rundown of not-

so-obvious airport extras, which are offered to travelers at no charge.
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2/11

(Photo: San Francisco International Airport)

Water-Bottle Refill

Ever since I discovered that water fountains are one of thegermiest places in airports, I've been inclined to

avoid them. The alternative, then, to a water-fountain refill, is usually an absurdly expensive bottle of Fiji.

But at San Francisco International Airport, flyers have access to "hydration stations" at each terminal upon

exiting security. The difference between these stations and your run-of-the-mill fountain is that theformer turn on via automatic hands-free sensors and feature high spigots that facilitate an easy refill.

Although not many other airports, as far as I know, have refill stations, it appears to be a growing trend.

Chicago O'Hare has them. And last year, the stations were installed at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson

International Airport, too.
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3/11

(Photo:Mike Bairdvia flickr/CC Attribution)

A Tour

A tour of Zurich International Airport made our list of10 Surprisingly Cool Airport Attractions; this

behind-the-scenes excursion, while indeed cool, isn't free. But a bunch of other airports do offer

complimentary tours for travelers passing through. There are freeTerminals to Tarmac Toursat San Diego

International Airport andfree tours of Singaporethat operate out of Changi Airport, and travelers stoppingin Salt Lake City International Airport can hop onboard a courtesy van forno-cost tours of Temple Square.

Additionally, Turkish Airlines offers freeIstanbultours for flyers stopping in Istanbul Ataturk Airport, but

you must be traveling on that airline to be eligible.
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4/11

(Photo:rashida s. mar b.via flickr/CC Attribution/Share Alike)

Free Skype Calls

The world's first Skype video booth was installed in Tallinn Airport a few years ago. Travelers can use the

station to make free Skype-to-Skype video calls in a private booth with a video screen and a headset. (One

can also use the booth to call regular phone numbers, but that feature isn't free.) So far, we haven't heard

news of the Skype booths having been installed at any other airports. But reportedly, AdTech, thecompany that developed the initial prototype, plans to set up more booths in other airports in the future.

Until then, travelers can use their own smartphones, computers, and tablets to makefree Skype-to-Skype

callsat airportsor anywhere in the world.
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5/11

Chapel at Brussels Airport (Photo:Paulo Ordovezavia flickr/CC Attribution)

Religious Services

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 almost-dailyCatholic massesat Boston

Logan to a quiet, sun-lit meditation room atAlbuquerque International Sunport, are available in terminals

around the world. Feeling wicked? One can even attendconfessionat Chicago Midway, where sins areheard 10 minutes before scheduled masses and by appointment. These services are almost always free,

but donations are usually welcome.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownpau/http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownpau/http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownpau/http://www.bostoncatholicdirectory.com/Parishes-And-People/Mini-Site.aspx?id=4910http://www.bostoncatholicdirectory.com/Parishes-And-People/Mini-Site.aspx?id=4910http://www.bostoncatholicdirectory.com/Parishes-And-People/Mini-Site.aspx?id=4910http://www.cabq.gov/airporthttp://www.cabq.gov/airporthttp://www.cabq.gov/airporthttp://www.flychicago.com/midway/en/AtAirport/Facilities/TravelerServices/Airport-Religious-Services.aspxhttp://www.flychicago.com/midway/en/AtAirport/Facilities/TravelerServices/Airport-Religious-Services.aspxhttp://www.flychicago.com/midway/en/AtAirport/Facilities/TravelerServices/Airport-Religious-Services.aspxhttp://www.flychicago.com/midway/en/AtAirport/Facilities/TravelerServices/Airport-Religious-Services.aspxhttp://www.cabq.gov/airporthttp://www.bostoncatholicdirectory.com/Parishes-And-People/Mini-Site.aspx?id=4910http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownpau/


6/11

San Diego International Airport (Photo:Jeffrey Paul Andersonvia flickr/CC Attribution)

A Pet Potty Break

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, 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'll have to gothrough security after visiting Miami's pet-relief area.) Other airports just have a patch of grass

surrounded by chain-link fencing; still, that's better than nothing. For a more complete list of airport pet-

relief areas, see this helpful roundup onDog Jaunt.
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7/11

(Photo:Lisa Brewstervia flickr/CC Attribution/Share Alike)

Luggage Tags

Luggage tags might not be the most exciting freebee on this list. But, as many experienced travelers

know, they're available for free at almost all airport ticket counters. And they're very usefulespecially if

you've forgotten to affix your own luggage tags. You should fill out and attach a bag tag to each checked

piece of luggage

and carry-ons too

so that airline staff can identify your bags in case they get lost.You'll either find the free luggage tags sitting on the check-in counter, or you'll need to ask for them.
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8/11

(Photo:Women's Worldsvia flickr/CC Attribution)

A Little Help When You Need It

Disabled travelers will find special assistance at airports around the world. But they're 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't speak English, or even lost or confused

passengers

for free. For example, at New York's JFK Airport, a nonprofit program calledTraveler'sAidexists 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 theMeet and

Assistprogram for travelers who don't speak the local language at Zurich Airport toCustomer Care

Counters, which can provide information in up to 170 languages, at Vancouver International Airport.
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9/11

(Photo:John Trainorvia flickr/CC Attribution)

Fragile Stickers

Safeguard breakables with a free "fragile" sticker affixed to your bag. Some travelers buy these in advance.

But they're 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't promise that the baggage handler tossing

luggage onto the plane is going to read and also heed that sticker, it's worth a try.
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10/11

(Photo:Douglas Muthvia flickr/CC Attribution/Share Alike)

A Charge

When your terminal is crowded with hundreds of harried passengers, every outlet is in use, and your

phone is running out of juice, try this trick: Ask airline staff to help. This isn't a guaranteed fix. Airline

staff are not obligated to help you recharge batteries if they don't feel like it. But I've talked to travelers

who have had luck politely asking a gate agent to charge a phone or a laptop behind the desk or podium(there are often outlets back there). Explain to the agent that all outlets are occupied and that you're

desperate for a charge. Throw in a "please" and a gracious smile for good measure.
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11/11

Yoga Room at SFO (Photo:Joe Mazzolavia flickr/CC Attribution/Share Alike)

Some Exercise

It all started in Northern California. The Yoga Room at San Francisco International Airport was, according

to many reports, the world's first airport yoga room. Since that amenity opened less than two years ago,

it's become more or less commonplace to see travelers folding into downward dog or working up a sweat

via jogging trails in airports. There are free yoga rooms at Dallas/Ft. Worth and Burlington internationalairports. Baltimore/Washington has a two-kilometer "Cardio Trail" that flyers can access free of charge.

Similarly, there are designated exercise paths within Minneapolis-St. Paul and Indianapolis international

airports.
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10 Free Things You Can Get at Airports