Why Is Airport Water Pricier Than My Coffee?

Allow me to rant for a minute. I’ve just returned from another round of travel, and once again, I found myself shelling out absurd amounts of money for basic necessities like water and snacks. You’d think I was buying premium items, but no—just a bottle of water and a bag of chips. When did a simple snack become a luxury purchase? This isn’t just about my wallet; it’s about the growing frustration of millions of travelers who are trapped in an airport monopoly. And I appreciate the opportunity to vent.

The Unavoidable Reality

Let’s face it: you can’t bring your own water or drinks through security. TSA regulations force you to toss out any liquids before you reach the gates. So, once you’re on the other side, you’re at the mercy of airport vendors who are ready to charge you an arm and a leg for the most basic items. During my recent trip, I paid $5 for a bottle of water and another $6 for a snack. That’s $11 gone in a flash—for things that would cost me less than half that at a local grocery store.

The Hidden Costs You Didn’t Know About

Here’s the deal: it’s not entirely the vendors’ fault. Airport shops are subject to some of the highest rent prices out there. In many cases, airports even take a percentage of the vendor’s sales on top of rent. Vendors are essentially stuck, and so are we. They have no choice but to pass these outrageous costs on to customers—meaning you pay $5 for water that would cost $1.50 anywhere else.

Let me break it down. Here’s a comparison of what you will find while traveling versus what you would’ve paid if you had the freedom to buy at a local store:

Location	Water (500ml)	Soft Drink (500ml)	Energy Drink (500ml)	Snacks (Chips/Candy)
JFK Airport (NYC)	$4.50	$3.75	$5.50	$4.25
LAX Airport (LA)	$5.00	$4.50	$6.00	$4.75
ORD Airport (Chicago)	$3.50	$3.25	$4.75	$4.00
ATL Airport (Atlanta)	$4.00	$3.50	$5.00	$3.75
DFW Airport (Dallas)	$4.50	$4.00	$5.50	$4.25
7-Eleven (Local)	$1.50	$1.75	$2.50	$1.50
Grocery Store (Local)	$1.00	$1.50	$2.00	$1.25

This chart speaks for itself. The markup is outrageous, and it feels like we're being punished for needing the essentials.

Is There Really No Other Option?

The short answer: not really. The moment you walk through security, you're at the mercy of airport vendors. This is a monopoly in action. You can’t bring liquids through, and even though you can pack your own snacks, who wants a bag of crumbs from their snacks being jammed into a carry-on? Plus, certain foods might even get stopped at security. For example, spreadable items like peanut butter or soft cheese could be flagged, making your packed snacks a risky choice.

The Real Fix: Stop the Price Gouging on Essentials

The solution is simple: give vendors a break on the essentials. Airports should reduce or eliminate the fees on items like water and snacks. Families shouldn’t have to shell out $40 to keep hydrated and fed. A family of four buying four bottles of water and four small bags of snacks? That’s $40 gone in an instant! That’s not right, and it’s not sustainable for travelers already paying high airfare, baggage fees, and dealing with delayed flights.

We get it: airports are expensive to operate. But why should passengers—many of whom are just trying to survive a long layover—foot the bill for all of that? Let’s keep water and snacks affordable, so we’re not left feeling ripped off every time we travel.

Thank you for letting me rant. I feel better now… said no one ever.

OPINIONS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE STRICTLY THOSE OF THE AUTHOR

Sources:

• "Airport Concessions: How Vendors Navigate High Rent and Fees" - The Business Traveler

• "Why Airport Prices Are So High: Understanding Rent and Fee Structures" - Travel Insights Blog

• Research assistance provided by ChatGPT