I am just curious what other people buy at airports because I myself try to bring everything I can (which does not include water unfortunately); I have always assumed prices are higher in the airport. Whenever I travel, I generally go straight past the hoopla surrounding the duty free or food court or what have you, so I thought of a few questions that may be interesting to think about:
For your airport of departure, do you prefer one because of some store/restaurant it has in it?
Do you look forward to a lay-over/landing in another airport because of something it has to offer to the consumer?
Do you like to buy souvenirs at airports as a pass time/ perhaps because you forgot to buy it in the city/place you were visiting?
Are the prices really that much more? Have you noticed a significant difference between a basic good (chewing gum, magazine) bought in the airport and outside the airport?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ashmohan27
I am just curious what other people buy at airports because I myself try to bring everything I can (which does not include water unfortunately); I have always assumed prices are higher in the airport. Whenever I travel, I generally go straight past the hoopla surrounding the duty free or food court or what have you, so I thought of a few questions that may be interesting to think about:
For your airport of departure, do you prefer one because of some store/restaurant it has in it?
Do you look forward to a lay-over/landing in another airport because of something it has to offer to the consumer?
Do you like to buy souvenirs at airports as a pass time/ perhaps because you forgot to buy it in the city/place you were visiting?
Are the prices really that much more? Have you noticed a significant difference between a basic good (chewing gum, magazine) bought in the airport and outside the airport?
Welcome to Flyertalk. I think your impressions are generally correct. Things are more at the airport. I typically dont buy things at airports except food or the occasional drink. When I get to the airport, typically my main goal is to get to the club as soon as possible. One exception is LHR which has some decent restaurants and I sometimes buy whisky at the duty free at LHR. Although they seem to have moved Whiskys of the World from T3 at LHR so I may not be doing that anymore.
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I only buy stuff like magazines, food and chewing gum (rarely). In certain spots like Paris or Zurich the duty free does have some nice spirits and cigars as well as beauty products and I do sometimes buy something there for myself or as a gift but only if the price is right or it is a rare good that is hard to obtain at the destination.
If I need a gift upon arrival I look for a chocolates stand or shop. See's candy can be found in many western USA airports. The best airport chocolate store anywhere is Ethel M, in Las Vegas' McCarran Airport.
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I buy things that are too dangerous to bring into airports: things like relatively pure water. I do this only when I forget to bring an empty container to use the free dangerous goods dispenser (water fountain) to collect my desired hazmat.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ashmohan27
I myself try to bring everything I can (which does not include water unfortunately)
It most certainly does include water; your body is mostly water. In addition your bladder contains a dangerous liquid made of over 95% water.
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When travelling through LHR I will always buy either buy either Fazer Mints or Anton Berg Mints (whichever World Duty Free is stocking - it used to be Fazer, now it's the Anton Berg)
A couple of years ago (2006 I think) I was passing through GVA and you could buy Swiss Army knives in the duty free.
I think it depends on the airport, there are some that require the vendors not to charge more at the airport then they do in their other area stores. But there are of course some that just make some unbelievable prices for stuff.
About the only thing I buy is a diet coke, if it's at a decent price, other wise I'll wait to get on the plane, but usually drinks, snacks, etc will be in the Red Carpet Clubs.
The exception is London, same as above, the Walkers are in very high demand when we come back from London.
The wife will occasionally buy some books if she has burned out of everything she brought with her.
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I usually buy stuff I forget, such as a toothbrush, inflatable pillow or a hat when traveling to sunny vacation destinations.
I really like that regular drugstores are now in the HK Airport and sell travel sized items and OTC meds at normal prices. I always pick up an extra packet of tissues or pocket wetwipes and some mints. I also found that the Airport drugstore also has a better selection of blister bandages which is nice
At the JetBlue terminal at JFK, I like Muji.
I always take a brief look at the magazines if there is time and buy one of those if the weather is bad (chance of delays).
No serious shopping unless there is a killer deal on something (Longchamp Le Pliage sale at the duty free) because I don't like to carry more than 2 bags because I only have 2 hands.
What do you buy at airports?
