How can you know if an airport has a decent shopping area after security?
When I travel for work I often rely on shopping in the tax-free area of an airport for buying gifts. This has lead to disappointment in the past. Airports like San Francisco, Orlando and Berlin Tegel don't really have a normal shopping area after security, which lead to me arriving home empty handed.
How can you know before going through security if an airport has a decent shopping area after the security checks? Orlando was the biggest disappointment so far, since there was an extensive shopping area before the security. Now I know that when you want to shop in Berlin or San Francisco, you don't want to rely on the airport.
Best Answer
The airport website will usually have this information, for example, the Orlando airport maps list names and locations of shops both land- and airside.
Similarly, the list from Berlin Tegel suggests that, indeed, airside shopping is sparse.
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Is stuff at the airport cheaper?
In the absence of taxes, duty-free shops are able to offer lower prices on their goods. This makes items that are typically subject to high taxes great bargains. From the perspective of leaving the U.S., that produces great savings on the classic "sin tax" items (alcohol and tobacco).Can I buy duty free on arrival?
Some countries allow arriving international travelers to use duty-free shops before leaving the airport, but the U.S. does not. Returning U.S. travelers can buy duty-free only at foreign departure airports.Why are airports designed the way they are?
That's why almost every duty free shop in an airport is configured in such a way that all passengers have to walk through it. It's usually the gateway between security and the retail space of an airport. By exposing customers to products in this way, they're able to maximise revenue.9 Things You Should NEVER Wear to the Airport | Travel Outfit Tips
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