After you have saved all that money, by identifying cheap travel options, whether cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms, or buying cheap vacation packages, if you are a shopper at heart, increasingly select airports are ideal places to satisfy your itch.
Some airports offer duty free arcades, luxury boutiques, and small local retailers who sell items unique to the area.
The following are airports who offer truly superior shopping opportunities:
Amsterdams Schiphol Airport (AMS) has an airport library, a full line casino and displays Dutch masterpieces at a branch of the Rijksmuseum. Amsterdam based Paolo Salatto sells upscale dress shoes, leather goods, accessories and mens apparel. The See Buy Fly Shop immediately past security offers fabulous values when marking down seasonal big ticket items including electronics and designer accessories.
Dubai (DXB) is a round the clock tax free mecca where over 30 superstores offer quality brands at discounted prices, with savings between 10 to 50 less than at city retailers. The latest in designer fashions are available from such brands as Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, Hermes, and Cartier.
The Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) is the largest airport in continental Europe and houses 60 different stores selling luxury brands like Etro and Hermes, as well as American brands such as Levis and Timberland. Porsche Design, a subsidiary of the auto company, offers uniquely designed briefcases, watches and cell phones.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is a shopping destination for over 50 million passengers who frequent the airport annually. Terminal 1s Skymart is viewed as one of the best shopping malls in the city, with designer boutiques such as Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Versace, Prada, and Tiffany. The mall offers a downtown pricing guarantee, ensuring competitive prices.
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) is a shopping haven for craft lovers, objet dart collectors, bargain shoppers, and souvenir junkies. Crafts offered at the Airport are mostly equal in quality to crafts found at shops and markets throughout South Africa at comparable prices.
Londons Heathrow International Airport (LHR) houses over 84 stores. The famous British department store Harrods can be found at all five terminals, as well as British designer shops including Kurt Geiger, L.K. Bennet and Mulberry in select terminals.
Portlands International Airport (PDX) is as quirky as its city. It is well known for housing local and regional retailers including Bowells Books, McKenzie Shoes & Apparel and hometown brands Nike and Columbia Sportswear. The airport guarantees prices are no higher than at downtown stores and benefits from the state having no sales tax.
San Franciscos International Airport (SFO) is well known for its numerous specialty stores, many of which are local retailers who offer regional delights like Ghiradelli chocolates, oaky Napa Valley chardonnays, and delicious sourdough breads. Many high end designer labels can be found past security.
Singapores Changi Airport (SIN) with over 230 stores is a shoppers dream. The luxury brands seem endless and include Armani, Bvlgari, Gucci and Prada. Any item priced lower at a comparable store outside the airport results in the customer being given a refund of double the price difference.
Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) sports 135 stores offering low price cashmere sweaters, origami materials, artistic wares and hundreds of different types of graphic T-shirts designed by artists from around the world. www.cheapfares.com