Optimize your international shopping with 5 best airport duty-free experiences

Duty-free is a concept introduced to international travel with the growth of the travel sector and its inevitable logistical complication. On average a person spends about 90 minutes before their flight takes off, and that’s not including delays, transfers, long hours between connecting flights etc.

Of course masses of people wandering around their terminals, essentially stuck with nowhere else to go, are a great target for businesses. You’re already here, might as well buy something! But just being there is not enough to pursue a person that is already a bit anxious and getting tired by the minute. They have to offer that potential customer a really good deal. Here comes duty-free – quite literally an area, where the prices of goods do not include duties and customs. The items are heading out of the country, and that is why the country in which the airport is, doesn’t necessarily apply the fees. That is the trading agreement all duty free zones operate on.

How it feels when you’re buying a sandwich at the airport vs how it feels when you’re buying a luxury bag at the airport

Duty-free zones in the airports usually offer a wide range of stuff: starting with just local souvenirs, and with luxury handbags on the other end. Buying duty-free allows you to cut off the price, sometimes, by a considerable amount. In the Parlaxy spirit, meaning we aspire to make international shopping easier and cheaper, we propose a list of the best airport duty-free zones.

Buyers, take notes on where you should ask your traveler to shop for you.

Travelers, keep in mind: whatever you buy in duty-free does not count as your carry-on or luggage!

Doha Hamad International Airport is ranked first by the 2024 Skytrax Awards – an annual award that goes to the world’s best airport, voted on by visitors. This airport has huge areas where travelers can find food on any budget and an array of brands. The main thing is that the airport has only one terminal, which means that all visitors have the opportunity to explore the duty-free area.

Your mom that constantly claims she can’t possibly walk any faster, as soon as she sees duty-free sign at the airport

Paris Charles de Gaulle is famous for its extensive duty-free area, which offers local brands as well as international ones. The airport's duty-free matches the city's status as the capital of the fashion world, so shoppers on any budget will have the opportunity to feel glamorous while strolling before their flight.

Dubai International Airport is a continuation of the city's fabulous shopping experience with its grand malls and boutique-lined marinas. Dubai airport has three terminals, each of them offering a great diversity of stores. But as per the internet, the greatest one is Terminal 3, which is the base for Emirates.

Singapore's Changi Airport looks and feels like the future. It is not only one of the most beautiful airports in the world, it is also famous for providing great travel experiences. Shopping there is exceptional as well: there’s not only an abundance of brands, there is also shopping assistances that will make it a lot easier to find whatever you’re looking for. Or a Parlaxy buyer asked to bring!

Istanbul Airport is a shopping wonderland, offering its international travelers a variety of local and luxury brands, but also – souvenirs and Turkish delights. Being a huge hub between Europe and the Middle East, Istanbul Airport arguably has one of the most popular duty-free zones in the world.

POV: you at the airport wondering, if this amount still counts for an acceptable amount of cigarette packs, or are you a full-on tobacco mule now

Shop smarter. Duty-free is a great opportunity to save some money. And luggage space! If you are traveling any time soon, definitely let our Parlaxy community know. Offer a shopper from the country of your destination to shop for them duty-free – bet they didn’t even know they could do that!