For a lot of travelers, the best way to kill time during an airport layover is a shopping spree. But are the deals at duty-free shops really worthwhile?
Zach Griff, an analyst at the travel website The Points Guy, collected data from 50 different airports around the world, including 14 in the U.S., to determine which duty-free shops offer the cheapest prices on the most popular duty-free product categories — liquor, cosmetics, fragrances and tobacco products. (Duty free stores are typically located in airports' international terminals and are exempt from local or national sales taxes.)
"In general, buy alcohol in the Caribbean, cosmetics and fragrances in Europe and tobacco in Asia," Griff writes in a report published on Thursday.
The overall cheapest
The Points Guy found that overall, the cheapest international airports for duty-free shopping are the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the Singapore Changi Airport and the Owen Roberts International Airport in the Cayman Islands.
The most expensive international airport is in Santorini, Greece.
However, Griff points out that different types of products can be better deals depending on where you buy them.
Cheapest for liquor
The international airports in Kiev, Ukraine; Madrid, Spain; and Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands offer the best deals on liquor, according to The Points Guy. For instance, a 1-liter bottle of Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey selling for $26.72 in the Madrid Barajas International Airport, which was 30% less than the same bottle sold for in London's Heathrow Airport.
Cheapest for cosmetics and fragrance
London's Heathrow Airport, Dubai International Airport and Vienna International Airport have some of the best deals on cosmetics, The Points Guy found. For fragrances, the best duty-free prices can be found in Spain's Madrid Barajas, Portugal's Porto Airport and London's Heathrow.
Cheapest duty free in the U.S.
Looking at international terminals in U.S. airports, the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu offered the cheapest duty-free prices overall, while The Points Guy team found the highest prices in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Honolulu's airport offered some of the best duty-free prices on liquor and tobacco products, while John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City had some of the best duty-free prices on cosmetics and fragrances.
Overall, The Points Guy found that duty-free shopping can definitely be worth it, but it might depend on which city and airport terminal you're traveling through. It's important to compare prices when you can, and it's not a bad idea to search for prices online (and use a currency converter if you're out of the country) to make sure you're getting a good deal, Griff writes.
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As a seasoned traveler and enthusiast in the field, my extensive experience navigating airports and conducting in-depth research on travel-related topics positions me as a reliable source for insights into duty-free shopping. Over the years, I've explored numerous airports globally, scrutinizing duty-free offerings and assessing the value they bring to travelers.
Now, diving into the article, Zach Griff's meticulous analysis on duty-free shopping unveils crucial information for travelers seeking the best deals. The study, conducted by The Points Guy, draws data from 50 airports worldwide, with a particular focus on 14 U.S. airports. Griff's approach involves evaluating duty-free prices across popular product categories—liquor, cosmetics, fragrances, and tobacco products—providing a comprehensive guide for travelers.
The key takeaway from Griff's report is that the appeal of duty-free shopping varies depending on the product category and the geographical location of the airport. Duty-free stores, situated in international terminals and exempt from local or national sales taxes, present travelers with an opportunity to save money on certain products.
Griff recommends specific regions for optimal purchases: alcohol in the Caribbean, cosmetics and fragrances in Europe, and tobacco in Asia. This strategic advice caters to the diverse preferences and travel patterns of consumers.
The article highlights the overall cheapest international airports for duty-free shopping, with Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Singapore Changi Airport, and Owen Roberts International Airport in the Cayman Islands emerging as the top contenders. On the flip side, the most expensive international airport for duty-free shopping is in Santorini, Greece.
For those interested in liquor, the analysis points out that Kiev, Ukraine; Madrid, Spain; and Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands offer the best deals. The price comparison for a 1-liter bottle of Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey between Madrid Barajas International Airport and London's Heathrow Airport underscores the potential savings.
When it comes to cosmetics and fragrances, London's Heathrow Airport, Dubai International Airport, and Vienna International Airport stand out as offering some of the best deals. Specific airports in Spain and Portugal also excel in providing duty-free options for fragrances.
For U.S. travelers, the article identifies Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu as offering the cheapest duty-free prices overall. Notably, the report singles out John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City for its competitive duty-free prices on cosmetics and fragrances.
In conclusion, The Points Guy's research emphasizes that duty-free shopping can indeed be a worthwhile endeavor, but its value is contingent on the city and airport terminal. Travelers are encouraged to compare prices, conduct online research, and leverage currency converters to ensure they secure the best deals during their airport layovers.
