What Should We Buy from Dubai Airport?
Whether you’re traveling to Dubai or having a stopover flight at the Dubai International Airport, you can’t afford to miss out on the fantastic duty-free shopping opportunities this prestigious airport offers. However, with so many options, deciding what to buy may be a challenge.
So, what should you buy from Dubai airport? Dubai International airport has a plethora of duty-free stores. However, not everything is worth buying. Some of the things you’ll be glad to invest your money in include:
- Cigarettes
- Olives
- Watches
- Laptops, tablets, and smartphones
- Makeup kits
- Perfumes
- Gold
In this article, you’ll get a deeper understanding of how duty-free stores at the Dubai International airport work, how the prices differ, and why you should only purchase certain items at these stores.
Related Articles: A Guide to Dubai Airport Sleeping Pods
What Should We Buy from Dubai Airport?
If you’ve been planning to visit Dubai for a while, you’ve probably done your research on things to do and the best places to buy souvenirs and essential items for your trip. On your search, you may have come across many recommendations suggesting Dubai International Airport as an experience to eat, drink, relax, entertain and of course buy things because of the availability of duty-free stores.
What Does Duty-Free Mean?
One of the things that can affect your budget on a trip is sales taxes and import duties. Because you can never be sure how much you’ll be charged, it’s a bit challenging to budget or stay within your budget during a vacation.
That’s not the case when you shop at the Dubai Airport. The stores there are duty-free, which means you won’t be charged import duties or sales taxes on your purchases. Duty-free stores can only be found in international airports and seaports.
However, you can also shop from the duty-free trolley in the air because you’re technically still in international transit.
Are Duty-Free Stores Cheaper?
There’s a common misconception that duty-free stores are cheaper than local stores in the United Arab Emirates. However, this isn’t always the case. Some things are more affordable, but some are much more expensive. Furthermore, it depends on what you’re comparing the prices to.
If you want to stay within your budget, it’s advisable not to indulge in impulse buying. Do your homework on the best things to buy at Dubai airport before your trip to avoid overspending. Alternatively, you can pre-order online from duty-free up to 30 days before your flight to make a price comparison.
Is Duty-Free Included in Hand Luggage?
Shopping is a guilty pleasure for many people. Therefore, it’s understandable that you’d want to take full advantage of the duty-free stores at Dubai airport. But if you decide to do this, keep in mind that some airlines include duty-free packages as hand luggage. For instance, easyJet only allows one duty-free shopping bag and one hand luggage.
However, other airlines don’t distinguish between your duty-free swag and different types of hand luggage. So, make sure you check with your airline before you purchase many items in the duty-free stores.
The Best Things to Buy in Duty-Free Shops in Dubai Airport
If you’re searching for high-end products, Dubai duty-free shops won’t disappoint. The fact that they don’t include taxes and import duties doesn’t mean they compromise on quality. But remember that significant tax savings don’t necessarily mean that you’ll save money.
You may end up disappointed because you spend a fortune on something you could have gotten for much less elsewhere. So, do your homework before your trip. Consider what you would like to buy, especially items that tend to cost much more outside of the airport. Below is a list of some of the items you should buy at the Dubai International Airport.
1. Cigarettes
If you’re entering the UAE, cigarettes are cheap everywhere. Therefore, there will be no difference if you purchase them at the airport. But if you’re stopping over at the airport to continue your trip, you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to get them at the duty-free stores.
The stores have a wide range of premium brands and budget options. However, the price varies depending on the brand you choose. Nonetheless, it will probably be cheaper compared to other countries.
2. Olives
There are plenty of incredible eateries at the Dubai International Airport, and most of them are reputable international brands. However, if you prefer a fill of olives and excellent Mediterranean Cuisine, the best eatery is the Ocean Basket.
Trip101 recommends this South African restaurant for its fish platters, Greek Cuisine, and pocket-friendly prices.
3. Watches
If you’re looking for a great souvenir for a friend or yourself, a watch from one of the duty-free shops may be a great gift. Although the price difference is not much compared to other parts of the world, the stores stock up on some of the biggest brands such as Rolex. Dubai Airport is, therefore, a one-stop mini shop for the watch lovers.
4. Laptops, Tablets, and Smart Phones
If you need a laptop, phone, or tablet upgrade, Dubai Airport is also the best place to shop for a new gadget. Several duty-free stores are selling different brands, such as Apple, Merlin, and more.
Because it can take a while to decide which device to because of the various specs, it’s advisable to check the Duty-Free Website to get an idea of how much you should expect and which devices they have in stock. This will save you tons of time, which is especially important if you’re stopping over at the airport to continue with your trip.
5. Makeup Kits
Traveling long distance takes a toll on your appearance. Fortunately, you can arrive looking flawless thanks to the MAC store at Dubai Airport. They have everything from mascara, lipstick, and eye shadow to foundations, powders, and more.
- Perfumes
It’s always a good idea to buy a signature fragrance that reminds you of a trip. And the duty-free stores at the Dubai International Airport won’t disappoint. The stores stock high-end designer perfumes like Dior, Armani, Givenchy, Gucci, and more.
However, you may want to compare prices at local stores and online before buying at the duty-free stores because they can be quite expensive.
Can You Buy Gold at the Dubai International Airport?
One of the items you won’t miss at Dubai airport is gold. And the best part is that the gold and jewelry are sold at the duty-free stores, which means it will be much cheaper compared to buying the items at some of the local Dubai gold stores.
If you’re stopping over the airport and not entering Dubai, take advantage of the duty-free stores. However, if you will be entering the city, it’s better to wait and visit the gold market or the gold souk at the Dubai Mall. You are assured of better quality, more choices, and in some cases, a better price even when taxes and duties are included.
Source: Jewelry Shopping Guide
In Conclusion
The Dubai Airport duty-free section will, without a doubt, leave you spoiled for choice. But don’t be tempted to indulge in impulse buying because it may mess up your budget before your trip even begins. Compare the prices before your journey so that you only buy things you need and those that offer you a fantastic bargain.
Also, find out which items are sold at a lower price in the city and get them there. Sometimes, the price difference is significant even when you don’t have to pay duty fees.
