Yes, perfume is often cheaper in duty-free shops due to the absence of import taxes (VAT) and lower retail markups, typically offering 10-30% savings compared to high street prices, but it's crucial to compare prices as deals vary, and sometimes local sales or online discounts can beat duty-free, especially for niche brands, say users and retailers.
Whether you're after a memorable gift or a range of bestselling brands at competitive prices, Aelia Duty Free has it all. Enjoy perfume, cosmetics and skincare at up to 20% cheaper than the high street, as well as spirits*, champagne, wine and fashion accessories available to all passengers.
Is duty-free shopping cheaper? Duty-free items which are tax free are generally cheaper compared to regular retail store prices. Before shelling out for a duty-free purchase, you should undertake a quick comparison to see if you could buy the same item at a similar price back home.
The best things to buy duty-free are typically heavily taxed items like liquor, tobacco, perfumes, and cosmetics, which offer significant savings, alongside luxury goods such as watches, jewelry, and high-end electronics, plus unique local gourmet foods or snacks, especially when flying out of regions known for those products (like French skincare or Japanese sweets). Always compare prices beforehand, as savings vary, and research what's available at your specific airport for the best deals.
Liquor, cigarettes, and other tobacco products tend to offer the best deals because they're usually heavily taxed. Other items you're likely to find in many duty-free shops include perfumes, gourmet chocolates (especially from Switzerland), electronics, cosmetics, and other beauty items.
eSIM provider Holafly analyzed nationwide keyword search volumes (and by state) to determine the most popular snacks available in airports. Leading the way is a popular American dessert—Oreo. The sandwich cookie paved the path to number one with 113,380 searches nationwide.
The "3-1-1 rule" for perfume (and other liquids) in carry-on luggage means containers must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or smaller, fit into 1 clear, quart-sized, zip-top bag, with 1 bag allowed per passenger, for safe air travel screening. Larger perfume bottles must be packed in checked luggage, and solid perfumes bypass these rules entirely, making them great for carry-ons.
Did you know that is cheaper to buy perfume at the airport duty free shop when traveling? This is simply because of duty-free pricing and that means there are no import taxes or retail markups. This can knock the price down by 10% to 30% percent compared to regular stores.
However, most airport duty-free “bargains” are a mirage. Perfumes, luxury goods and cosmetics are often cheaper at home. So are electronics, and you might have a warranty headache if anything goes wrong with something purchased overseas.
You can also take liquids bought at an airport or on a plane (such as duty free) through security if: the items are sealed inside a security bag when you buy them. the receipt for the items is sealed in the security bag and visible.
Is it cheaper to buy perfume on plane or duty-free?
Duty-free means “without tax.” Stores that sell duty-free products are located in airports or other travel hubs. Certain goods — such as alcohol, tobacco, perfume, and cosmetics — are often cheaper in duty-free shops, because these stores don't have to charge value-added tax (VAT) or other consumer tax.
The 30/50/20 perfume rule is a guideline for blending scents, suggesting a ratio of 30% top notes (initial scent), 50% middle/heart notes (main body), and 20% base notes (longevity) to create a balanced fragrance, especially useful for DIY essential oil perfumes where you'd use 3 drops top, 5 drops middle, and 2 drops base for a 10-drop total. This provides a balanced fragrance profile, offering a fresh opening, a stable heart, and a lasting finish, though it's a flexible starting point, not a rigid law.
Can I take a 50ml bottle of perfume in my hand luggage?
All liquid containers in your hand luggage must be under 100ml/100g each (that includes creams, pastes, lotions and gels). Please keep your liquids inside your bag for security screening (a plastic bag is no longer required).
Day vs. Night: For daytime wear, especially in professional settings, 1-3 sprays are generally sufficient. This ensures a subtle presence without being overpowering. For evening events or social gatherings, you can increase to 3-5 sprays to make a more pronounced statement.
The 45-minute rule in air travel is a deadline for passengers, primarily for domestic flights, requiring them to complete check-in and baggage drop-off at least 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time to ensure flights stay on schedule. This rule is strictly enforced by airlines like United and American, meaning even if you've checked in online, you must still meet the 45-minute bag drop deadline; missing it can lead to denied boarding and ticket cancellation. International flights usually have longer deadlines, often 60+ minutes.
