Today’s air travel is a pain in the arse. You have to show up two to three hours early, check in, go through an invasive security screening and then sit there airside in the terminal building with nothing to do but sip on overpriced drinks because you still have 2.5 hours to kill before your flight leaves.

            So how could we travel effectively in the modern era to take advantage of the best deals and small hassles? Here are five tips to help you keep your costs down:

• Some carriers and low cost carriers, such as BA and EasyJet, are offering carry-on only deals at lower prices than it would cost you to check in a suitcase. So why not travel with a carry on and a backpack? Shops like H&M, Zara, Mango, and The Gap are global brands. Chances are that there will be at least one branch wherever you visiting. Why not pack lightly and pick up a few things when you get there? At the end of your trip, donate your purchased or even your older clothing a local charity. Wherever you are going will probably have convenience stores and pharmacies where you can pick up shaving gels, deodorants, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc. And they are probably much cheaper than your local shop. For example, on a visit to 7-Eleven in Thailand last year, I picked up these amenities for about £7. In Boots in the UK, shaving gel alone can be £3.50. Just carry our toothbrush and razor and pick up everything else.
• Many airlines charge you for seat selection. Never pay for seat selection unless there is a specific seat you need or several of you travelling which means sitting close to each other. The other time I would pay for a seat selection is if I have a short connection time and I need to get off the plane quickly then I will pick one as far forward as possible. Selection becomes free when online check in opens. If you aren’t bothered about where you want to sit in an airplane, then wait and save.
• Invest in a water bottle. The going price of a 600 ml bottle of Coke airside is about £3 which is the cost of 6 cans in most supermarkets. But you aren’t allowed to take liquids through security so they have you. Or do they? Investing in a nice sturdy water bottle means you can fill up for free at water fountains when you are airside. After all, medical experts say that you need to keep hydrated when flying.
• Airlines charge you for food especially on short flights and low cost carriers. Pick up some food from your local supermarket. Food items are permissible at security unlike liquids, so pick up a sandwich and some snacks for the flight. Airside food is much more expensive.
• Invest in a travel wifi hotspot. We love to post photographs of our travels when we are away on social media. While wifi is common in most locations, it tends to be pretty basic and cannot accommodate heavy uploads. Companies like Tep Wireless will rent or sell you a modem. If you travel a lot it is better to buy a modem. For example, if you have a 10-day trip to Thailand, Tep offers a 1GB 3G unlimited service at US$8.95 per day and a 3GB 4G unlimited service for US$10.95 per day. On a 10-day trip, that works out to between $89.50 and $109.50 for your holiday. If you buy a modem, Tep charges $129 for the device and $7.95 for 1GB or $9.95 for 2GB per day on a pay per use deal. If those are still too expensive, local providers can be cheaper. Smile Telecommunications in Thailand has an offer of US$6.50 per day for 4G service which works out on a 10-day trip to $65 including the device rental price. You just go to their website, and fill in your details including which airport you want to pick up your device. Dropping off the device at the end of the trip simply means returning it to where you picked it up. The kiosks are open 24 hours a day so you don’t have to worry about closure.