Money magicians are everywhere. On every corner of the internet to the remotest holiday hotspot, there’s always someone ready to part travellers with their cash. Yet the last place you’d expect to be caught out is a secure environment like an airport. Here are seven rip-offs that can quietly magic your money away and catch you unawares on your next trip in 2026.
Foreign Exchange Bureaux
Exchanging money at an airport should be safe and convenient, but often comes at a high cost. Airport foreign exchange bureaux are notorious for offering poor exchange rates and hefty commission fees. Everything is technically legitimate, yet travellers still end up significantly short-changed, with less spending money for their holidays.
The smart option is to plan ahead. Buy currency before leaving home, check current exchange rates and if you must exchange money abroad, use banks or well-known money changers.
Drinks on You
One of the biggest bugbears for weary travellers is the high prices of food and drink at airports. Prices are often wildly inflated compared to what you’d pay outside the terminal. Even a bottle of water can cost as much as a beer in a local pub, while meals are sold at restaurant-quality prices.
If airport lounges are out of reach, don’t let hunger wreck your budget. Buy snacks from a supermarket before heading to the airport, or opt for pre-packed food inside the terminal. Some lounges now offer paid day passes, and frequent travellers may find it worthwhile joining a lounge access scheme such as Priority Pass.
A Helping Hand, at a Price
Many airports now charge a tidy fee for luggage trolleys to move your suitcase a few hundred metres. In some destinations, first-time visitors may also be approached by a “helpful” porter offering to carry their bags.
The trouble starts when the porter refuses to hand over the luggage until a “fee” is paid. Travellers may feel intimidated when other porters gather around to support their “friend,” pressuring the victim into paying simply to retrieve their belongings.
To avoid this, pack light whenever possible so you don’t need assistance. Never let your baggage out of your sight, and be wary of unsolicited help.
Excess Luggage Charges
Overweight luggage is an expensive mistake. Airlines are strict about baggage limits, and check-in staff won’t hesitate to charge fees for every extra kilo over the allowance.
To avoid losing hard-earned holiday money, weigh your suitcase at home before you travel. If it’s too heavy, unpack and start again, removing items you can live without. If you know you’ll exceed the limit, research excess baggage fees online as some airlines offer cheaper rates if paid ahead of time. In certain situations, politely ask at the airport for a reduced fee.
Duty-Free Shops
Travellers enjoy duty-free shopping, but many don’t know their destination’s import limits. This creates an opportunity for a semi-legal rip-off, where shop staff provide misleading advice about how much alcohol or tobacco you can legally bring in.
Once you arrive, customs officers are unlikely to accept any excuses. Duty-free staff know this as there’s little chance of complaints once travellers have left the country.
Before travelling, check your destination’s duty-free allowances. If in doubt, ask at the airport information desk rather than relying on sales staff.
Thieves
Crowds attract criminals, and airports are no exception. Pickpockets and opportunistic thieves target distracted travellers, helping themselves to luggage, phones, wallets, laptops, and passports.
Stay alert. Lock your bags, keep valuables close, and never leave belongings unattended. Hold on to your personal space and avoid unnecessary distractions. Split cash and valuables between different bags so you’re not wiped out if something goes missing.
Digital theft is also a risk. Scammers can steal personal data by piggybacking on unsecured wifi networks. To stay safe, use official airport wifi or secure networks, and avoid entering passwords, banking details, or credit card information on public connections.
ATM Fraud
ATM scams are a favourite among airport fraudsters. They often pose as friendly helpers offering assistance to confused or jet-lagged arrivals. In reality, modified ATMs may be fitted to steal bank details and PIN numbers, allowing scammers to clone cards and drain accounts within hours.
Never accept help at an ATM and never share your PIN. If anything looks suspicious or feels wrong, cancel the transaction immediately and report it to airport security.
Be Aware
A little awareness goes a long way. By knowing where the traps lie, you can keep your money where it belongs: funding your trip, not someone else’s scam.
Andy Probert is a freelance journalist whose work about global travel news, aviation, business and human-interest features has appeared internationally in print and digital formats.
