Budget Food for Flyers: Smart Planning + UDAN Yatri Café

Feb 8, 2026 - Packing snacks for a flight has become second nature for many travellers. Nowadays, increasingly many people who are travelling by flight pack light snacks to carry with them when leaving for the airport. With airport food prices soaring, bringing a bite from home has become a smart move — especially for middle-income and budget-conscious passengers.

Snacks and beverages at airport food outlets are steeply priced. Those waiting long hours to catch their flight or faced with flight delays are forced to either flush out big money for a beverage, a samosa or go hungry.

With a majority of domestic airlines being low-budget ones which do not provide free meals on board, most travellers prefer eating before boarding their flight. Some even pick up snacks from the airport to eat on the aircraft. But meals inside terminals can strain budgets. One has to think twice before buying a snack or a drink from one of those airport outlets.

The overly-priced food at airports has always raised concerns. Providing affordable food and drinking water at airports should not be considered a privilege but a basic necessity. It not only enhances the overall travel experience but shows that public needs are being looked after.

AAP MP Raghav Chaddha had earlier raised the issue of exorbitantly-priced food at airports in Parliament asking why the government could not set up affordable canteens at airports.

UDAN Yatri Cafe

Following the rising calls and the public need for affordable food outlets at airports, the Central Government in 2024 announced the launch of UDAN Yatri Café in the country. This initiative aligns with the spirit of the UDAN scheme (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik), aimed at democratising air travel and upgrading airport infrastructure.

The first UDAN Yatri Café was opened at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, in December 2024. Since then, similar cafes opened up at seven other airports – Chennai, Pune, Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad, Hollongi (Itanagar), Vijayawada and Hyderabad. Plans are afoot to open UDAN Yatri Cafe in Delhi and Mumbai, too.

Key features of these cafes are budget-friendly snacks and beverages plus convenient location – in pre-check domestic terminal areas.  Items at these outlets are:

• Bottle of water at Rs 10
• Tea - Rs 10
• Coffee - Rs 20
• Samosa - Rs 20
• Sweet of the day - Rs 20

This initiative by the government has widely been appreciated by travellers.

Smart Travel Tips

However, even at airports without dedicated low-cost cafés, travellers can reduce food expenses by making smart choices. One of the simplest strategies is to eat before arriving at the airport. Restaurants and cafés outside the terminal usually offer larger portions at lower prices.

Another practical tip is to carry a reusable water bottle. Most modern airports provide free drinking water stations after security checks. This helps passengers avoid spending extra money on bottled drinks, which are often marked up significantly inside terminals.

Many travellers, before leaving for the airport, choose to pack their own snacks- such as sandwiches, fruits, nuts or energy bars which are allowed through security as long as they meet regulations. Carrying food from home is one of the most effective ways to avoid overpriced airport meals.

If purchasing food within the airport becomes necessary, choosing the right outlets makes a difference. Food courts, fast-food chains and grab-and-go counters generally offer more affordable options than sit-down restaurants. Combo meals at fast-food outlets are often better value for money. At some airports, vending machines also provide quick and inexpensive snack and beverage options.

So, even while airport food is typically expensive, affordable options do exist. Government initiatives like Udan Yatri Cafe, combined with smart planning and informed choices, can help us eat well without overspending. With better planning and awareness, it is possible to not go hungry at airports while waiting for your flight.

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