Avoid paying for expensive airport food with ‘little known’ rule

People who travel abroad may agree that airport food and drink prices are high. However, what many people don’t realise is that they can avoid forking out for expensive terminal meals by taking their own snacks.

Some people may be surprised to know that security won’t stop you from bringing a packed lunch with you, provided the items you bring don’t break the rules. TikTok users, like Fran (@letsbefranc), claimed that “buying food in the airport is so expensive” – so she decided to save some money and bring her own packed lunch from home.

Filming herself after going through security, she showed the pouch of snacks she was allowed through, including crisps, sweet treats and even a chicken sandwich. She added: “That’s just a little hack on how to save money at airports. A bottle of water is easily £3 at airports and sandwiches [can be] about £5.”

Other social media users shared similar videos. Phoebe (@xphoebc) claimed people should “stop paying airport prices for snacks” and showed off the trays of snacks she brought through security to keep herself and her two children satisfied in the terminal.

Likewise, mum Laura (@lauraslife.1) packed multiple lunches and snacks for her children. She also brought something for herself, including a Pot Noodle she planned to make once she’d got through security.

What are the rules to follow when packing your own food?

People need to remember a few rules before packing their go-to snacks at home for the airport. Some guidance, available on London Gatwick’s website, for instance, states: “You can carry cakes, fruit, vegetables, sandwiches and all solid foods in your hand luggage. Frozen foodstuffs are not permitted.”

But, because snacks will be going in your hand luggage, they will be subject to checks and must also follow a major rule that most wouldn’t consider with food. In the UK, some packed lunch items will be limited due to the 100ml liquid, gel and aerosol restrictions, as well as biosecurity concerns.

The guidance on Gatwick’s website confirmed: “Foods in sauces or with a high liquid content (such as sauces, pastes, soups and stews) cannot come through security.” At the time of writing, guidance has not been updated following reports that passengers travelling through certain UK airports will soon be able to carry up to two litres of liquids in their hand luggage.

This is due to the upcoming implementation of new 3D security scanners, which will lead to some airports ditching the 100ml liquid limit. This rule has been around since 2006 as a security measure following a thwarted terrorist plot to bring down specific flights with liquid explosives.

Drinks are a little more complicated to bring through as, according to Gatwick guidance: “Drinks that are open or that you are consuming prior to the security checkpoint cannot be carried through and must be fully consumed or discarded. An exception to this rule is milk or sterilised water for babies.”

You can typically bring sealed drinks through airport security, but they must adhere to the liquids rule. A separate section on liquid guidance adds that passengers “may take an empty water bottle through security” and refill it at a drinking water fountain or restaurant.

The same rules should apply at most UK airports. However, it is best to check individually on the relevant airport website for specific advice to avoid wasting time (and food) that may be banned by security.