Duty free section at airports = hell

Many airports have a service that you can buy duty free on the way out and pick it up on the way home. Left luggage for duty free

Gatwick Airport has bypass Duty Free shortcuts, have a look online.

I just run through it to get to Spoons …

I always wonder who's paying £12 for a bar of toblerone you can pick up for £5 in the supermarket (even less when they're on offer!)

I'm the one walking through disoriented, like the pp said. I'm fine getting to the airport, checking in, dropping off bags, waiting in the queue for the (just forgot the name for the person and bag screening!), pop out the other side of all that, and bang! Befuddled, overwhelmed, confused. It's a weird jolt.

The lady at MAC (not UK) gave me a full makeover, so I arrived at my destination fresh faced.

I’ve never found them cheaper than buying online.

And the chocolates are so expensive compared to the supermarket.

YABU

Once we're past the bag check and x-ray machines, the bright lights and overwhelming smells of the duty free means the holiday can finally begin!

Two litres of Bacardi for £22.
Take my money.

I usually just try some expensive face or hand cream so I'm moisturised for the flight!

I order anything I want in advance and get the extra discount - just pick up as I go through. There is something " holiday" about it though and that's even after 30 years as an ex pat. 😂

I think the plan is to disorientate you so much you buy something (anything!) just to get out in one piece !! Sensory overload !!

This, after last year summer when lady literally sprayed perfume sample to my Asthmatic sons face and we almost missed our flight- I would put face mask on him while walking there, insane.

Is it really that much cheaper than the high street?

The only time I've ever fallen lucky in duty free was on board a ferry to Calais and my favourite perfume (middle of the price range) was on some sort of mega-deal that was less then half price of what I could usually hunt out at home. Other than that I've never seen the need to buy spirits on the way out, I don't smoke and I wear prescription sunnies so even those don't appeal.

Used to love the duty free and would buy a new perfume to wear on holiday - something to always remind me afterwards. That wouldn't stop from visiting the perfume shops in the resort either.

The glamour's worn off now for some reason and I just dont get the pleasure I used to. The same as holidays in general really. Mostly it's the sheer volume of people that's the issue.

I’m completely with you OP. I run through as quickly as I can. Can’t stand the bright lights, the sparkly floor, the smells. Horrible places.

Clearly never been to Helsinki airport, its absolutely lovely, even got rocking chairs.

I hate it. Travel, and flying in particular, is becoming more and more loud, crowded, intense and stressful. To the point that I mostly refuse to do it now. I just get sensory overload and can't cope.

Not only would I not shop in a Duty Free, it's yet another nail in the coffin of international travel for me.

The best airport experience I have had in the last 10 years was a tiny little local airport. Mine was the first flight of the day, so relatively few people around. No duty free. I can't even remember any coffee shops.

It was bliss and I'd be on 3 or 4 holidays a year if all airports were like that.

The overpowering smell and allergens particles in the air from all the mixed perfumes is something you'd think would be a thing of the past by now - airports are very performative about being neurodiversity inclusive but the sensoy assault is worse than a fairground. Additionally the health impact for everyone with asthma and allergies.

Hell might be an exaggeration but it's definitely an unpleasant assault on the senses and for some people the cause of a migraine/ headache/ cough/ irritated eyes and airways.

It's a relic from the 70s and 80s I always think.

I always plan on buying perfume at the airport! But i know which ones im specifically looking for and dont need to spray them ....
I think the whole experience of an airport (in the uk) itself is busy, loud, overwhelming and sensory overload so I'm not sure why duty free gets singled out. Some smaller airports abroad seem more civilised and less hectic

I hate them with a passion, I hate being forced to walk through them. There is something in a few perfumes that set off my allergies and it’s a nightmare. I try and hold my breath as much as possible but then walking around the rest of the airport with others covered in testers of perfumes can also cause me issues.

Then I get dirty looks on the planes when it looks like I’m travelling with the flu. 🫣

I take a deep breath and get through as quickly as possible. I cant bear the smell, I cough for ages afterwards.

Sorry, that will be me. I don't normally wear perfume but I can't resist trying it on in duty free so I can spend all the first day of my holiday smelling of the most expensive one I could find.

And then I look sadly at all the bargain gin (2 litres of Tanqueray for £22!) that I can't buy because I don't have the luggage allowance or the inclination to take it with me on holiday, drink a bit of it, then bring it all home again.

Yep. We power walk through it as best we can then keep away.

Personally I'd pay to avoid Stansted !

I have very mild asthma so don't always have a blue spray in my bag. Last time we were in Manchester Airport I didn't have one, so I spent several minutes coughing violently in the Ladies' room.