Emirates Skywards - DXB duty-free prices

I understand that the duty-free shopping at DXB offers a tremendous selection, but I am curious about the prices - especially on liquor and chocolates. Are they better than the prices at European duty free shops (which are not always such a bargain)?

Thanks in advance for the info!

I went a bit (okay, really) crazy with chocolate on my last visit. The British brands ( i.e. Quality Street and Cadbury's) were priced quite well for duty-free. There are also Arabian Sweets that were cheap and delicious. I think as with all duty-free it is buyer beware and a little bit of research ahead of time goes a long way. There is a good selection of items but I found the jewelry to be more than in other places. Liquor prices were quite good as well, but it depends on what you are looking for.

I find electrical goods to be cheaper in the UK than Dubai Duty Free!!

I got a camera for £340 at Dixons (duty free). The same camera was around £400 at most Dubai malls. It was about the same price at DDF.

They tend to have a top shelf gin in there for not much over US$10 a bottle...

I agree with Swiss Tony, the liquor prices seemed quite good. I was there this past Monday and made a complete tour of the Duty Free. The electronics prices didn't seem any bargain to me as compared to US shopping. However, clearly, the alcohol is nicely priced. 750ml of Bombay Sapphire was only $13US. That's the only one that comes to mind at the moment, but it's indicative of the value in that category.

Electronics prices are nothing startling-laptops are as cheap or sometimes cheaper in stores in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
Got a Nokia phone at Carrefour for Dhs 600- Dutyfree in dubai had it for Dhs 1100!

I agree with a lot of the posts here. Electronics are a joke; very overpriced. You are probably better off buying that stuff at the local store (sometimes you can haggle over the price). By the way, there is no "duty" on most (if not all) items bought in the UAE, so DUTY FREE is actually all over the Emirates and not just at the airport ;) .

They do; however, have some nice "toys" for grabs (i.e. Mercs, BMWs, etc) if you are willing to shell out a few bucks to buy those raffle tickets :D .

DXB Duty free is great for Alcohol and Cigarettes. Other stuff are better purchased in downtown Dubai if you have the time. Bargaining there yields an aprox 10% discount if you are european and willing to pay cash.

DXB Airport Duty Free (as well as the rest of the Emirates) is much overated as a place for great bargains. In fact, many things tend to be at the same price level as anywhere else (if not more expensive). The only really interesting items are:
- Gold
- Caviar
- Pearls
- Carpets
- Cigarettes
Only a handful electronic items are good value but when it comes to international new brand products it tends to be even more expensive (exemple Canon EOS300D/Rebel camera, I-Pod, ...).
Do not fly to/through Dubai hoping to make a bargain!

Add in cassettes as £2 / $3 each - assuming your hi-fi at home (or in your car) still takes tapes ....

Duty Free does not mean PROFIT FREE ................

Duty Free does not mean PROFIT FREE ................

Indeed... but how about reducing those margins ever so slightly to attract more paying customers to the stores??? :rolleyes:

I am curious about the prices - especially on liquor and chocolates. Are they better than the prices at European duty free shops (which are not always such a bargain)?


The UAE currency (Dirham) floats with the US$.
When the value of the US$ is low ( like now against the Euro) the prices in Dubai are more attractiv for european travellers.

Just returned from DXB and found perfumes to be very cheap but electronics are no bargain at all.