How to eat between flights at DFW Airport for $20 or less during holiday travel

Prices already get jacked up because of the holiday season, so saving money anywhere counts.

Regardless of the holidays, airport food prices can be ridiculous. For example, why am I paying $6 for water, a basic necessity? And the part that gets me is I can’t even bring water in my reusable bottle through security.

According to the Parking Spot, airport food prices are higher because the airport charges the vendors high rent, commission, and other fees. Because of this, vendors have no choice but to sell at a price that they can still profit from.

Personally, I would rather spend money on experiences and gifts this holiday season than on food that will only last me 15 minutes.

With some creativity, I’ve come up with some ways you can eat on a $20 budget while traveling. I know I’ll be flying out of Dallas-Fort Worth this holiday, so I will also recommend some of the more budget-friendly shops in each terminal.

You can pack these TSA-approved airport snacks

The best, healthiest, and most cost-effective solution I have for you is one that you will need to plan ahead for.

Packing TSA-approved snacks is not only better for your wallet but also time-effective. Instead of rushing through the airport to find something quick and easy, you can pack nutritious munchies that may even last your whole trip!

TSA approves the following items for carry-on:

• Baby food (in reasonable quantities, but can be over the 3.4 oz or 100 mL standard). This includes formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (puree pouches count).

• Bread

• Candy

• Cereal

• Solid cheese (if creamy, less than 3.4 oz or 100 mL)

• Solid chocolate

• Ground or whole coffee beans

• Cooked meat, seafood or vegetables with no liquid

• Cookies

• Crackers

• Creamy dips and spread (less than 3.4 oz or 100 mL)

• Dried fruits

• Fresh eggs

• Fruits and veggies (allowed if not flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland)

• You may bring ice packs with fresh meat, seafood, or frozen food. However, ice packs that are melted, slushy, or liquid during inspection will not be tolerated.

• Gum

• Gravy, honey, hummus, ice cream, juice, maple syrup, oils, vinegar, nut butters, jam and jelly, salad dressing or salsas (less than 3.4 oz or 100 mL)

• Nuts

• Solid pet food (if wet, less than 3.4 oz or 100 mL)

• Pies and cakes

• Pizza

• Protein or energy powders

• Salt

• Sandwiches

• Snack bars

• Dried spices

• Tamales

• Dry tea bags or loose tea

• Yogurt (less than 3.4 oz or 100 mL)

As you can see, the options are almost endless. On my next flight, you can catch me having a full-course home-cooked dinner.

However, if you don’t bring food you already have from home, the plus about buying items at the store means you can buy them in bulk as well as pre-packaged— unlike at the airport where you can only buy one protein bar at a time. Packing snacks ahead of time doesn’t just mean for your one flight, it can mean for your whole trip.

According to U.S. World and Report, the cheapest Texas grocery stores go as follows:

• WinCo Foods

• Aldi

• Costco

• Sam’s Club

Budget-friendly shops in Dallas Fort Worth airport

If you find yourself where you must buy food at the airport, there are plenty of options to pick up some trail mix, chocolate or pretzels.

At the Dallas Fort Worth Airport, each terminal has multiple options:

• 7Eleven– Terminals: A, C, D

• Plum Market- A, B

• Fort Worth Magazine- C

• Hudson- C, E

• Newslink- C

• Univsion- C, D

• 360 West- D

• Grab and Fly- D

• Relay- D

• Wall Street Journal- D

• World News and Gifts- D

• NBC-5 Travelstore- E

• Texas Marketplace- E

Budget-friendly restaurants in the Dallas Fort Worth airport

If you need more substance than just a snack, here is a handful of Dallas-Fort Worth Airport restaurants where you can grab a meal for under $20:

• Panera- A

• Popeyes- A

• QDoba- A

• Smoothie King- A

• Starbucks- A, C, D, E

• Einstein Bros Bagel- A , E

• McDonald’s- A, B, D

• Caribou Coffee- B

• Cousin’s Back Porch- B

• Dunkin’ Donuts- B, C, E

• Panda Express- B, E

• Smashburger- B

• Subway- B, D

• Ampersand- C

• Banh Shop- C, D

• Chick-Fil-A- C, D, E

• Pizza Hut- C

• Shake Shack- C

• Brewed- D

• Lavazza Coffee- D

• Whataburger- D

• Pete’s Coffee and Tea- E

• Uno Due Go- E

• Wendy’s -E

• Jimmy John’s- E

It is also worth noting that select credit card members can visit their airport lounges for complimentary snacks or even meals. DFW offers Capital One, American Express, and other airline lounges, with a few in each terminal.

This story was originally published November 15, 2024 at 10:44 AM.

Ella Gonzales

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.