Lois Larson
Airport shops are a great place to find last-minute gifts and souvenirs. Many airports offer locally-sourced gifts, including local arts and crafts, food, and apparel. Some airports also have speciality shops featuring electronics, travel gear, and wine and spirits. While souvenirs from airports can be expensive and generic, they can also be unique and cool, and you can often find items that don't look like they came from an airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Variety | T-shirts, tote bags, cufflinks, pins, books, headphones, cosmetics bags, alcohol, cigars, and food items |
| Availability | Vending machines, airport shops, duty-free stores |
| Price | Generally expensive, but duty-free shops offer tax-free items |
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What You'll Learn
Local specialities like food, crafts, and artwork
Food
Local food is a great souvenir to buy at the airport, and many airports now offer local specialities. For example, in Austin, Texas, you can find famous Texas barbecue, while in New York, you can get the perfect bagel. Atlanta is full of Southern kitchens, and Miami offers a range of Cuban food options. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has a farm-to-flight experience, with Bay Area favourites like Equator Coffees and Cowgirl Creamery, as well as local companies like the organic Acme Bread Company. If you're in Baltimore, you can pick up some of the city's iconic crab cakes at Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI).
Crafts and Artwork
Airports are increasingly showcasing artwork, with some even having their own museums. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has been exhibiting world-famous paintings for over 22 years, while Incheon International Airport in South Korea and Hamad International Airport in Qatar feature impressive sculptures, paintings, and museums. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport features local photographer Ajani Charles' work, celebrating Toronto's diverse Hip-Hop scene. Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has also been providing a platform for local artists to showcase their work, and many airports in the US, such as Rhode Island and Pittsburgh International Airport, feature rotating exhibitions. Memphis International Airport is also using art to activate their new spaces, with five site-specific pieces being commissioned for their new concourses.
So, whether it's a delicious local treat or a beautiful piece of art, airports are a great place to find unique souvenirs that showcase the local culture and talent.
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Duty-free skincare and cosmetics
For skincare, Creme De La Mer is a cult classic, known for its transformative powers, and La Prairie moisturiser is another great buy, with a soft, powdery scent and featherweight texture.
For makeup, MAC lipsticks are a must-have for any makeup bag, and the shade 'Yash' is a perfect rose-taupe. NARS also has an excellent range of base products, including their All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation and long-lasting powder blush. Tom Ford's Brow Sculptor is another unique product, with a clever design that mimics natural brow hairs.
Perfumes are also a great duty-free buy, with many designer fragrances available at discounted prices. Lancôme's La Vie Est Belle is a great choice, with a long-lasting scent that will transport you to exotic destinations.
So, whether you're looking for skincare, makeup, or fragrance, duty-free shopping at the airport offers a fun and often cost-effective way to treat yourself or pick up some gifts.
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Clothing and accessories, like t-shirts and hats
Clothing and accessories are a great way to remember your trip, and airports have a wide range of options. You can find everything from T-shirts to hats, and even jewellery. If you're looking for a simple memento, a T-shirt is a great option. Many airports sell shirts with unique designs that represent the local culture and flavours. For example, the Oakland International Airport offers T-shirts with Oakland themes, while Miami International Airport's Havana Collection offers a range of men's and women's apparel with authentic Latin roots.
Hats are another classic choice, and you can find them at airport stores like the one in Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, which offers a range of airline memorabilia, including hats from various airlines. If you're looking for something more stylish, Miami International Airport also has a Michael Kors store, where you can find designer accessories like handbags, eyewear, and watches.
For those who want something more unique, airports like Portland International Airport offer items from local artisans, including clothing and accessories. You can find items like soy candles, wines, and craft beer, which make for great souvenirs and gifts.
Some airports also offer a range of accessories, like the Desigual store in Miami International Airport, which offers women's clothing and accessories with their signature provocative patchwork designs. You can also find jewellery and accessories at the same airport, with a range of unique, trendy, and affordable options. So, whether you're looking for a simple T-shirt or something more stylish or unique, airports have a lot to offer in terms of clothing and accessories.
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Electronics and travel gear, like headphones and luggage tags
When it comes to electronics, most large airports will have a selection of headphones available, including Shure, Bose, and Sony. Some airports, such as Incheon, offer cheaper options like Sennheiser, while others, like Atlanta Hartfield-Jackson, have vending machines with high-end IEMs. If you're looking for earbuds, you can find options from Apple, iBuds, and B&O, which can even be purchased inflight on Korean Air. However, keep in mind that electronics tend to be overpriced at airports, so if you have the time, you may want to explore local electronics stores instead.
For travel gear, luggage tags are a must-have to help you identify your luggage quickly and ensure its safe return if it goes missing. Look for tags that are strong, distinctive, and durable. You can find basic, inexpensive tags made of rugged silicone, which offer excellent toughness and visual flair in bright colors. Alternatively, for something more personalized, Airportag offers aviation-themed luggage tags with various designs and airport codes, allowing your luggage to stand out.
If you're looking for something unique, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport features an aviation geek's dream store with a range of airline memorabilia, including luggage tags, cosmetics bags, and airplane models. For a more localized shopping experience, Louisville International Airport offers commemorative items like mint julep glasses and cufflinks, while Baltimore-Washington International Airport lets you take home iconic crab cakes, blast-frozen and packed in an insulated bag.
Lastly, some airports, such as Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Kansas City International Airport, and Oakland International Airport, feature vending machines with locally designed items. These machines offer a unique selection of souvenirs, from dish towels to T-shirts and tote bags, providing a convenient way to pick up last-minute gifts or mementos that don't scream "airport souvenir."
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Collectables, like pins and shot glasses
Shot glasses and pins are popular collectables for travellers, and airports have caught on to this trend. Many now offer shot glasses with unique designs that reflect the local area. For example, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport sells shot glasses featuring the city's skyline and icons, while the airport in St Kitts has shot glasses adorned with palm trees and beaches. Some airports sell shot glasses adorned with airline logos, such as Pan Am and Hawaiian Airlines. Shot glasses are a great, affordable souvenir, often costing between $2 and $12.95. They are small and light, so they won't take up valuable space in your luggage.
Pins are another popular, inexpensive, and space-saving collectable. Louisville International Airport, for instance, sells buttons featuring the Kentucky Derby. Hard Rock Cafes, which are often located in airports, sell pins featuring their iconic guitars.
If you're looking for something a little more unique, snow globes are also available in many airports, though they may be less common than shot glasses. You can also find other locally designed items in some airports, such as T-shirts, tote bags, and dish towels.
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Frequently asked questions
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol offers a wide range of souvenirs, including alcohol, cheese, tulip bulbs, and live plants, all packaged in iconic bright yellow "See Fly Buy" bags.
Many US airports offer locally-themed souvenirs, such as Oakland-themed T-shirts and a stylized California state flag cloth tote bag at Oakland International Airport, or Boston-themed apparel at Boston-Logan Terminal C. Louisville International Airport offers commemorative mint julep glasses, cufflinks, and collector's pins.
Some airports have vending machines that offer locally designed and produced items, such as at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Kansas City International Airport, and Oakland International Airport.
Books, T-shirts, and other apparel are always good options for last-minute gifts at airports. You can also find local arts and crafts, brand-name clothing, electronics, travel gear, and wine and spirits at many airports.
Bottled water, alcohol, neck pillows, and tech items like headphones tend to be overpriced at airports and should be avoided. Instead, bring your own empty water bottle and fill it up at bottle-filling stations to save money and plastic waste.
