Duty-free shopping may conjure up images of cigarette cartons, discount liquors and high-end candy for some travelers, but frequent international fliers know well that hubs around the globe are stepping up their retail game. Every breed of traveler – from fashionistas to perfumologists to techy types – can cash in this holiday season (or any time of year) on savings at airport stores. Cheapflights has compiled a list of 10 of the top airports in the world for shopping – just in time for last-minute shoppers.
London Heathrow Airport, London, England
Heathrow boasts 420,000 square feet of retail space over four terminals and the prices range from pocket money up to premium. You’ll find perfumes, skin care products, alcohol and chocolates in all terminals, but, if you want designer gear, Terminal 3 is where you’ll find brands such as Burberry, Dior, Gucci and Cartier. Terminal 5 aims to showcase the best of British to departing passengers. Mulberry, Paul Smith, Links of London, and Smythson fly the flag for British design and craftsmanship.
Dubai International Airport
Do buy. Dubai International Airport has been one of the top three (based on total sales) duty-free retailer for a couple of years now. Alcohol, perfumes and gold are the must-buys in the Sheikh Rashid Terminal (also known as the Concourse), home to the majority of the shops. Open 24/7, there’s 58,125 square feet of retail heaven. Dubai International Airport announced in September 2014 of a 21.6 square-mile expansion, so anticipate more shopping to come the in next few years.
Vancouver International Airport
Canada’s westernmost hub allows visitors to stock up on all things Canada – from books to jewelry to toys – at patriotic retailers like The Great Canadian Book Company, Thinking Canada and Postcards from Vancouver. Pick up souvenirs before departing Vancouver or shop at up-scale boutiques like Brooks Brothers and Hermes.
Incheon International Airport
Korea’s main international gateway in Seoul one of the top three for duty-free shopping. Its most popular items are perfumes, cosmetics, alcohol and cigarettes. A first for the Shilla Duty Free Shop is Louis Vuitton. The luxury brand picked it as the world’s first LV airport shop.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
“See, buy, fly” is the famous slogan. Schiphol works hard to maintain its position as a top shopping airport with hefty discounts and promotions such as “buy two, get three.” Travelers can check out the current offers on Schiphol’s website. A pair of tulip-patterned clogs, a tulip vase with seven arms or a music box windmill? Don’t forget the Gouda.
OR Tambo International Airport
Voted best in Africa and winning plaudits for its airport shopping too, OR Tambo International Airport has more than 100 shops selling everything from trinkets to accessories to high-end luxury leather goods. It’s not the cheapest airport in the world, but still boasts discounts of 40 percent on prices downtown.
Miami International Airport
With more than 7 million square feet, covering more than 3,000 acres of land, lucky Miami airport frequenters have plenty of retail square footage at Miami International Airport. The terminals feel more like shopping malls than airports, boasting luxury shops like Emporio Armani, convenient technology stores like Sound Balance and great gift giving gems like L’Occitane.
Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong‘s famous shopping culture can be enjoyed right up to departure. SkyMart in Terminal 1 and SkyPlaza in Terminal 2 have the kind of retail space you’d expect from this city. SkyMart has a “Downtown Pricing Guarantee,” so the price you pay at the airport will not be higher than what you would pay in the city center. It’s not all about high end goods either – there’s a good mix of products, but cosmetics win out as best value.
Frankfurt Airport
A mindboggling fact: Frankfurt Airport‘s retail offerings would cover four soccer fields. The airport, Germany’s busiest, is another airfield trying to attract Frankfurters to its shops. Stores offer everything to make a weary traveler’s eyes light up with excitement – discounts on brand-name perfumes and colognes, a superb range of spirits and tobacco and seasonal discounts to enjoy.
Zurich Airport
Zurich calls its shopping offering “paradise.” And it might well be. Switzerland is one of the last places in Europe where fliers can still buy duty-free goods. Perfumes, cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco and, of course, fine Swiss chocolates can all be pre-ordered via their website if you’re all about the bargains. If you’re all about the browsing, then you’ll be in your element, too, with the shops displaying the finest Swiss brands available. Fliers who pick up goods worth more than CHF 250 can go through Fast Track security (as long as the assistant stamps your card). Paradise indeed.
Feature image: Jimmy Harris, Shopping chaos at Dubai Airport via Flickr CC BY 2.0
