The Best Airports For Shopping

Airports can often be mundane, a simple waiting place, dull compared to the excitement of the travels. There’s nothing worse than turning up at an airport to find there's only a tiny shop selling soggy sandwiches, bottles of water and magazines. Choose instead to travel to an airport where you can spend hours browsing and shopping ‘till you drop, with our ultimate guide to the best airports for shopping.

Europe

1. London Heathrow (LHR)

London is served by five main airports, with Heathrow standing out as the busiest and most well-known.

Why shop at Heathrow? 🛍️

Heathrow is famed for its shopping experience. Before you fly, explore a duty-free area packed with designer brands offering everything from fashion to tech. Just remember to:

• Check your duty-free allowances for your destination.
• Review which terminal you’re flying from.
• Look up available shops in advance to plan your time wisely.

The airport offers:

• Luxury labels like Hugo Boss, Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Swarovski and Kurt Geiger.
• British icons such as Harrods, Glorious Britain, the Harry Potter shop, and Hamleys for last-minute souvenirs.
• A complimentary personal shopping service (available by booking ahead).
• Seasonal promotions, especially around Christmas, perfect for picking up festive gifts or snapping up a bargain.

Take me to London Heathrow ✈️

London Heathrow is the hub airport for British Airways, which flies to LHR from destinations around the world including Europe, South America, North America, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Australia. Other airlines which fly to Heathrow Airport include Air Canada, American Airlines and Eurowings.

2. Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)

As the fashion capital of the world, it’s no surprise that Paris’ main airport delivers a luxury shopping experience to match.

Shopping at CDG 🛍️

Head to Terminal 2E for the most extensive selection of designer stores. You’ll find leading French fashion houses including:

• Cartier
• Dior
• Chloé
• Hermès
• Chanel
• Lancel

You can also shop for:

• Cosmetics and skincare
• Alcohol and gourmet food
• Travel accessories and gifts

Dining and downtime 🍽️

If you’re feeling peckish, the airport also offers:

• A mix of restaurants, cafés and French bistros
• Options ranging from quick bites to more leisurely meals

Take me to Paris-Charles de Gaulle ✈️

Fly to Charles de Gaulle airport with its hub airline Air France, which flies to destinations such as Athens, Bangkok, Bogotá, Casablanca, Delhi, Los Angeles, Mauritius, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, Tokyo and Washington. Alternatively, fly there with airlines such as easyJet, Vueling, ASL Airlines France, and Turkish Airlines.

Asia

3. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

A layover at Hong Kong International Airport is anything but boring. If you’re passing through during the day or in the early hours, this airport offers round-the-clock shopping and plenty of ways to unwind.

Around-the-clock shopping and souvenirs 🛍️

With shops open 24/7, you can browse at any time of day. Highlights include:

• Local souvenirs such as wife cakes and traditional egg rolls
• The Hong Kong Design Gallery, showcasing work from local artists and designers
• A wide mix of stores with nearly 50 shops in Terminal 1, including:
• Electronics: Sound & Vision, DG Lifestyle, Bose
• Jewellery and watches: Cartier, Pandora, OMEGA
• Fashion: Calvin Klein, Bottega Veneta, Zara, Kate Spade
• A dedicated Disney store for families

While there’s something for everyone, cosmetics tend to offer the best savings at HKG.

Dining and cultural bites 🍽️

The airport is a haven for food lovers too. With a variety of restaurants serving different cuisines, it’s easy to sample local flavours or grab a quick bite before your flight.

More than just shopping 🎥

Once you’ve explored the shops and food spots, there’s still more to do:

• Treat yourself at the airport spa
• Catch a movie at the cinema
• Recharge in the Premium Lounge’s resting area - perfect for longer waits or overnight connections

Take me to Hong Kong Airport ✈️

If you can’t wait to get to Hong Kong Airport, also known as Chek Lap Kok Airport, then you can fly there with airlines that have a hub base there, including Hong Kong Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon fly to many destinations across China, Asia and the rest of the world. Additionally, you can also fly to Hong Kong Airport with airlines such as China Airlines, United Airlines and XiamenAir.

4. Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

Changi Airport is known for its wide range of duty-free shopping and easy ways to save on popular products. So if you’re looking for gifts or just want to treat yourself, there’s plenty to choose from.

Duty-free shopping and pre-order options 🛍️

You’ll find deals across a range of categories:

• Alcohol
• Makeup and skincare
• Cameras and tech

If you’d rather skip walking between shops, use iShopChangi. This online service lets you pre-order items and collect them at the airport.

Be sure to check out:

• Shilla Duty-Free, where many beauty brands offer major discounts
• Traditional souvenirs and local products, including Tiger Balm, Singapore Vista scarves, Durian Kaya (coconut egg jam) and Kueh Lapis (layered rice flour pudding).

Places to unwind 🌸

You can relax in one of the many garden spaces throughout the terminals, such as:

• The Cactus Garden
• The Butterfly Garden
• The Water Lily Garden

A fun extra 🛝

Changi is also home to the world’s largest airport slide - something unexpected to enjoy if you’re travelling with kids or just want to try it yourself.

Take me to Singapore Changi Airport ✈️

Scoot, SilkAir, Singapore Airlines and Jetstar Asia Airways all have Changi Airport as their home base. These airlines fly to and from this airport from destinations all over the world including Asia, Oceania, North America, Europe and Africa.

Middle East

5. Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Dubai Airport reflects the city’s reputation for luxury and variety, offering a wide selection of duty-free goods across several categories.

What to know about duty-free shopping 🛍️

Prices for cigarettes and alcohol are often much lower here than in other countries. However, you should always:

• Check local laws before you fly
• Be aware that some Middle Eastern countries ban alcohol imports
• Know your personal allowance for each item

High-end shopping and luxury items ✨

Dubai is sometimes called the City of Gold – and the airport lives up to that name. You’ll find:

• Gold bars and ornate gold jewellery
• Luxury items from brands like BVLGARI, Swarovski, Pandora, Montblanc and Cross (for pens)

Perfumes, tech and travel accessories 💻

In 2017, perfume was the airport’s top-selling product, with popular choices from:

• Dior
• Jean Paul Gaultier
• Versace

Electronics are also widely available, including:

• Laptops
• Mobile phones
• Cameras and camcorders

Planning to travel with a laptop or other devices? Read our guide to flying with electronics before you go.

Take me to Dubai International Airport ✈️

To get to Dubai Airport with one of its hub airlines, fly with the low-cost carrier flydubai, or fly in luxury with Emirates. Both these airlines fly to destinations across the globe. Alternatively, enter into the flight search on the homepage DXB as your destination and your closest airport to see the best fare on getting to Dubai International Airport.

6. Hamad International Airport, Qatar (DOH)

Hamad Airport in Doha offers a premium shopping experience, with a wide variety of luxury brands and dining options to explore before your flight.

Shopping at Hamad Airport 🛍️

With over 70 luxury stores, you’ll find:

• Designer handbags, sunglasses, watches and jewellery
• High-end clothing and accessories
• Shops open 24/7, so you can browse at any time, day or night

Food and drink 🍽️

Once you’ve finished shopping, take a moment to recharge. The airport offers:

• The Godiva stand for something sweet
• The Marmalade Market for unique local and international bites
• Around 30 cafés and restaurants, including spots serving traditional Arabian cuisine

Take me to Hamad International Airport ✈️

Fly to Hamad International Airport with Qatar Airways, whose hub airport is Hamad Doha. Qatar Airways flies to destinations including London, Tokyo, Atlanta, Chicago, Goa, and Kigali. Other airlines which fly to this airport include JetAirways, IndiGo and Air India Express.

7. Istanbul Airport (IST)

Opened in April 2019, Istanbul Airport replaced Atatürk Airport for all commercial passenger flights. Even in its first phase, the airport is built on a massive scale.

A hub built for growth ✨

• Current capacity: 90 million passengers per year
• Planned capacity by 2027: 150 million passengers
• Total airport area: 15.5 million square feet
• Shopping space: 592,000 square feet, making it the world’s largest airport

Shopping at Istanbul Airport 🛍️

With such a large footprint, the airport offers an extensive retail selection. You’ll find:

• Global fashion and luxury brands including Celine, Emporio Armani, Ferragamo and Loro Piana
• Popular Turkish brands such as Kemal Tanca, Vakko, Brandy’s and Cacharel

The retail space covers everything from fashion and accessories to lifestyle and local favourites.

Take me to Istanbul Airport ✈️

The expansion at this airport is all due to the continued growth of Turkish Airlines, which has a hub here. Onur Air and AtlasGlobal also have hubs at this impressive airport, meaning there are connections to Istanbul Airport from all over the world.

North America

8. Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

If you're flying through Vancouver, it's a good opportunity to take home a piece of Canada. The airport offers a strong mix of local products and global brands.

Local Canadian finds 🍁

Look out for:

• Maple syrup
• Local wines
• Smoked salmon products
• Canadian-branded clothing

To browse Canadian goods and souvenirs, visit:

• The Great Canadian Book Company
• Thinking Canada
• Mountain Style Shop
• Discover BC

Designer and tech shopping 🛍️

For high-end brands, head to the Duty-Free stores where you’ll find:

• BVLGARI
• Omega
• Gucci
• Salvatore Ferragamo

If you’re after electronics or travel accessories, explore:

• iStore
• Tech on the Go

Take me to Vancouver International Airport ✈️

Fly to Vancouver Airport with one of the many airlines that fly to Vancouver including Pacific Coastal Airlines, Sunwing Airlines and WestJet.

9. Denver International Airport (DEN)

Denver Airport stands out for its environmental focus, with many of its shops chosen to reflect this commitment to sustainability and local culture.

Eco-conscious and locally inspired shopping 🌿

You’ll find a variety of stores offering products tied to the region’s identity and green values:

• No Boundaries - outdoor gear and clothing
• Hormeta - Swiss skincare inspired by natural ingredients
• Bearfruit - a local, family-run jewellery brand
• Greetings From Colorado and Way Out West - for regional gifts and souvenirs
• Fresh flower stalls offering cut flowers to take home or gift

A sense of place ✨

Many shops at Denver Airport are designed to reflect the spirit of the area. It’s a shopping experience that highlights both local identity and sustainability.

Take me to Denver International Airport ✈️

Both United Airlines and Frontier Airlines have a hub in Denver, with destinations across the globe. Alternatively, you can fly to this airport with Spirit Airlines, Volaris and Boutique Air.

Oceania

10. Sydney Airport (SYD)

Sydney Airport’s International Terminal (T1) offers a busy, well-equipped space for travellers, with a mix of shopping, dining and useful services.

Facilities beyond shopping ✨

In addition to the retail experience, T1 includes:

• Restaurants and food outlets
• Comfortable airport lounges
• A prayer room
• A staffed information desk

Duty-free shopping and collection services 🛍️

Sydney Airport’s tax-free shops feature global and Australian brands including:

• Estée Lauder
• Hennessy
• SK-II
• Penfolds

You can also:

• Use the online pre-order service, similar to Changi’s iShopChangi
• Buy now and collect later - make a purchase at departure and pick it up when you return, so you don’t have to carry it on your trip

Take me to Sydney Airport ✈️

Australian airlines that fly to Sydney Airport are Qantas and Virgin Australia, which both have hubs at Sydney Airport. Other airlines that operate services to this airport include China Eastern Airlines and Air New Zealand.

Africa

11. O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)

Located in South Africa, O.R. Tambo International Airport offers a strong mix of international brands and authentic regional shopping experiences.

Shopping and savings 🤑

Travellers can take advantage of:

• Duty-free discounts of up to 40% on select items
• Travel exclusives only available inside the airport
• A range of international brands at lower prices

Souvenirs from South Africa 🛍️

For a local touch, browse the airport’s African-themed shops, including:

• Out of Africa
• Indaba Lifestyle
• African Eco

These stores offer gifts and products that reflect South African culture and craftsmanship.

Take me to O.R. Tambo International Airport ✈️

This airport is the hub for many African airlines, including Airlink, FlySafair, South African Airways, Mango and Kulula. These airlines fly to their hub at O.R. Tambo Airport from destinations all around the world, including domestic and regional locations but also transatlantic flights to destinations in America including New York JFK and Washington-Dulles.

Top tips for airport shopping

To ensure you plan wisely and get the best bargains at the airport, follow our top tips for airport shopping:

• Ensure you know your airline’s baggage limit: Some airlines have limits on how much duty-free you can carry onto their plane, so there’s no point filling your basket full only to find out you can only have one duty-free bag.
• Know the rules of the country travelling to: Some countries do not permit you to transport certain goods into their country. For example, many countries in the Middle East will not allow alcohol, and others may only permit a certain number of cigarettes into the country.
• Do your research before you travel: This is so you know what is a good deal when you get to the airport, so are not fooled by the huge discount signs. Make a list of all the items you want to look at and purchase so you don't risk forgetting and losing out.
• Pre-order to the airport if possible: If you travel to airports which provide a service like this, like Shanghai Cingha Airport, it may save you the stress of running around getting everything you need.
• Arrive at the airport with plenty of time: Make sure you get to the airport within enough time to be able to check in and pass through security and have plenty of time to explore the airport. Why not save some time at the airport by obtaining a mobile boarding pass at home?

You might also be interested in:

• How to keep children entertained at airport layovers
• Things to look out for when booking flights online