Drinking Water At Airports: Tips For Staying Hydrated While Traveling

Drinking water is important when travelling by air, but airports don't always make it easy to stay hydrated. Water in plastic bottles is often expensive and bad for the environment, and water stations for refillable bottles aren't available in all locations. However, there are ways to get around this. You can bring your own refillable bottle and fill it up at drinking fountains, or ask at the information desk if you can't find one. Alternatively, you can bring your own water through security, as long as it meets the TSA's 3-1-1 rule.

Filling up a bottle before going through security

If you forget to bring a bottle, you can always ask the flight attendants to refill your bottle from the large plastic bottles they have on board. This isn't ideal for the environment, but it's better than using plastic cups.

It's also possible to bring your own water through security, as long as it meets the TSA's 3-1-1 rule. This means liquids need to be in 3.4-ounce containers or smaller and placed in one clear, quart-sized bag. Alternatively, you can bring frozen liquids through security as long as they are completely frozen when presented for screening.

Finding drinking fountains in the departure lounge

If you're looking for drinking fountains in the departure lounge, there are a few ways to find them. Some airports have maps that show the locations of drinking fountains, so you can check these before you fly. If you're already at the airport, you can ask a member of staff to point you in the right direction.

In some airports, drinking fountains are located near gates. For example, at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, there are water fountains at Gate 2 and Gate 30, and at Birmingham Airport, there are fountains at Gate 47 and opposite Gate 41. Drinking fountains can also be found near bars and restaurants in the departure lounge. For example, at Birmingham Airport, there is a fountain behind the Bottega Prosecco Bar, and at Glasgow Airport, there is a fountain next to the Travelex store.

If you can't find a drinking fountain, you can always ask a bar or restaurant to fill up your bottle for you. All catering outlets provide free tap water and are happy to refill drinking bottles.

Bringing a refillable bottle

To do this, you'll need to plan ahead. First, fill up your bottle at home. Then, before you go through security, make sure you drink the water or pour it out. You can then put the empty bottle in your bag and take it through security. Once you're through security, you can refill your bottle at a drinking fountain or ask at the information desk if you can't find one. Some airports also have water stations for refillable bottles. If you're at Manchester Airport, you can fill up your bottle at the drinking fountain between security and duty-free.

If you're worried about your bottle leaking in your bag, you can avoid sports caps and heavy bottles. Alternatively, you could bring a frozen bottle of water through security, as long as it's completely frozen when presented for screening.

Buying water from cafes or bars

If you're looking to buy water from cafes or bars at the airport, you may find that the only option is to buy over-large sports-top bottles from shops. However, if you're looking to save money and reduce plastic waste, there are a few alternatives. One option is to bring an empty bottle through security and fill it up at a drinking fountain, which are usually located between the men's and women's toilets in the departure lounge. If you can't find one, ask at the information desk. Alternatively, you can bring your own refillable bottle and fill it up before you leave home, drinking or pouring out the water before security and then refilling it on the plane from the large plastic bottles provided by the flight attendants. Just be sure to follow the TSA's 3-1-1 rule for liquids if you're bringing water through security.

Asking for refills on the plane

If you're looking to save money and stay hydrated while travelling, it's worth noting that airports don't always make it easy to access drinking water. However, there are ways to get around this. One option is to bring your own refillable bottle and fill it up at a drinking fountain, which are often located between the men's and women's toilets in the departure lounge. If you can't find one, ask at the information desk. Alternatively, you can take an empty bottle through security and fill it up at a drinking fountain before you board your flight.

If you're unable to find a drinking fountain, you can ask a flight attendant for a refill on the plane. They usually have large plastic bottles of water in the galley, which they can use to refill your bottle. This isn't the most environmentally-friendly option, but it's better than using plastic cups.

To save even more money, you can bring your own water through security. According to the TSA, liquid items must be in 3.4-ounce containers (or smaller) and placed in one clear, quart-sized bag. Alternatively, you can bring frozen liquids, as long as they're completely frozen when presented for screening.

Frequently asked questions