Duty free has long ceased to be just a “store before departure.” It has become a whole universe where travelers are looking not only for good prices but also for vivid impressions — from botanical gardens inside terminals to pop-up boutiques of world-famous brands.
The ranking of duty free stores is based on the results of Skytrax World’s Best Airport Shopping 2025 — the most prestigious award in the field of passenger experience. Skytrax evaluates not only scale or sales volumes, but above all the traveler’s experience — comfort and navigation, store design, convenience of pre-order, exclusivity of the assortment, and the level of service. This made it possible to see the full picture — who truly leads the duty free industry today.
Taking these factors into account, we present the top 10 best duty free stores in the world, which in 2025 set a new benchmark for quality, service, and travel emotions.
Top 10 Best Duty Free Stores in the World (2025)
1. Qatar Duty Free, Hamad International Airport (Doha, Qatar)
If duty free once meant nothing more than shelves of alcohol and perfumes, Hamad International Airport has proven that shopping can be just as magnetic as the journey itself.
At the very heart of the airport lies “The Orchard” — a botanical garden with a glass dome, waterfalls, and dozens of boutiques surrounding it. This is not just a shopping area, but a full-scale stage where luxury brands open pop-up spaces, and passengers find themselves in a fusion of park and fashion mall.
Qatar Duty Free is constantly introducing the world’s “first” or “largest” retail concepts — from beauty hubs to high-end jewelry salons. Here you’ll discover travel-exclusive releases, limited collections, and personalization services that make every purchase unique.
In Doha, duty free is not an addition to the journey — it is the highlight of it. The atmosphere is designed so that every shopper feels like part of a lifestyle story: fragrant corridors, interactive screens, and cultural accents that tell the story of Qatar as a nation.
Skytrax puts special emphasis on passenger experience and service — and in this respect, Qatar Duty Free is an undisputed leader. From smooth navigation and intuitive pre-order to the attentiveness of the staff, everything is tailored to elevate the traveler’s experience.
2. Singapore Duty Free, Changi Airport (Singapore)
Singapore’s Changi has long held the status of a “dream airport,” and shopping here is just as legendary as the famous Jewel waterfall.
It features one of the most advanced pre-order systems in the world: you can select items online before your journey and simply collect them at a dedicated point — without even leaving the departure area.
Changi brings together more than 400 brands: from classic beauty and duty free bestsellers to travel-exclusive lines you won’t find anywhere else. Premium collections of alcohol and perfumes, created especially for Changi passengers, are particularly popular.
The stores are seamlessly woven into the architecture of the terminals, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a vast lifestyle space. Interactive displays, pop-up events, tastings, and even art installations turn duty free at Changi into a cultural program in its own right.
In Asia, service is treated with absolute precision — and Changi proves it at every step: the friendliness of staff, quick checkout, flawless navigation, and assistance with even the smallest details.
3. London Heathrow Duty Free (United Kingdom)
Heathrow is not just Europe’s largest aviation hub — it’s a true duty free theatre.
At the heart of this success is World Duty Free by Avolta. Here, duty free isn’t simply shelves of products but a full-scale event. The Redefine Your Beauty campaign became a vivid example of this new approach: interactive masterclasses, personalized skin analysis zones, fragrance bars with bottle engraving, and instant gifts with purchase. It’s not classic shopping — it’s a full-on beauty festival for passengers.
Another highlight of Heathrow is the balance between luxury and accessibility. In its stores, Chanel and Dior stand alongside more affordable brands and travel-exclusive sets created specifically for duty free. This makes it equally easy to make high-value purchases or grab small indulgences before your flight.
Service is just as important: thoughtfully designed lounge areas, intuitive navigation between terminals, fast checkouts, and attractive promotions. Heathrow invests millions into renovating duty free spaces, transforming them into modern lifestyle zones where every purchase is accompanied by a sense of premium experience.
4. Paris Charles de Gaulle Duty Free (France)
Even if you haven’t set foot on the Champs-Élysées, at Charles de Gaulle you can feel the same charm of the French capital.
Extime Duty Free Paris is not just a shopping space but scenography, where you are greeted with luxury perfumes, champagne and wine, delicacies, and iconic gastronomic brands. The interior of the duty free resembles a blend of a Parisian boutique and a contemporary art gallery.
Special attention is given to the cultural symbols of France. At Charles de Gaulle you’ll find Ladurée macarons, fine Bordeaux wines, designer accessories, and cosmetics proudly labeled “Made in France.” This is one of those cases where duty free becomes a true souvenir guide to the country.
The service is also top-notch: clear navigation, digital tools for pre-ordering purchases, and modern service zones that have greatly simplified the process for travelers. Skytrax highly praised precisely this combination of “atmosphere + convenience”, which secured Paris the fourth place in the world’s duty free ranking.
5. Istanbul Airport Duty Free (Turkey)
Istanbul is a bridge between East and West, and its new airport highlights this role perfectly. Istanbul Airport is a giant that impresses with its scale and infrastructure.
Here operates Unifree Duty Free (in partnership with Gebr. Heinemann) — the operator behind one of the largest duty free complexes in the world. Spanning more than 50,000 square meters of retail space, it harmoniously combines global luxury brands with local Turkish producers.
The special charm of Istanbul Duty Free lies in its cultural mix. While you can purchase the latest Gucci or Cartier collection, right next to it awaits a wide selection of local goods. A vivid example of this approach is the Old Bazaar — a unique duty free area styled after a classic Istanbul marketplace. Here you can find spices, oriental sweets, Turkish tea and coffee, handmade ceramics and textiles, souvenirs, and authentic gifts.
Another highlight is pricing and promotions. Istanbul often surprises travelers with discounts and value sets, making duty free attractive both for premium clients and those looking for pleasant “mementos.”
Skytrax emphasizes the convenience of navigation and the atmosphere: modern store design, spacious halls, and a clear organization of duty free zones. All this allows travelers to grab what they need even during a short layover — without losing the sense of being on a journey.
6. Tokyo Narita Duty Free (Japan)
While in most airports duty free is just an extension of the journey, at Tokyo Narita it becomes a destination in itself. The main credit goes to the Fa-So-La network, which has turned shopping into an art form.
Fa-So-La encompasses more than 80 stores operating under a single concept: to showcase Japan the way locals see it. Even the name reflects its philosophy — notes of the Japanese musical scale that symbolize harmony and emotion. Every store is designed with this in mind: from stylish beauty hubs to boutiques with artisanal souvenirs.
The assortment is impressive:
- Technology and electronics — from Sony’s latest innovations to travel gadgets that are hard to find outside Japan.
- Cosmetics and perfumes — Shiseido, SK-II, Kose, and other Japanese brands that often cost more abroad.
- Japanese delicacies — sake, unique varieties of green tea, traditional wagashi sweets.
- Souvenirs and crafts — ceramics, textiles, calligraphy sets, many of which are sold exclusively at Narita.
Another strong point of Fa-So-La is its convenient pre-order system. Passengers can select items online before departure (especially limited-edition whiskies that sell out instantly).
Skytrax highlights Narita for the exclusivity of the experience: convenience, variety, and the emotional touch of shopping.
7. Dubai International Airport Duty Free (UAE)
In the world of duty free, there is only one true giant — and that’s Dubai Duty Free. It has long been synonymous with scale, and although Dubai ranked seventh in the Skytrax 2025 awards, in terms of sales volume it remains the undisputed No. 1. In 2024–2025, it once again broke revenue records (over $2 billion) and continues to be the largest duty free operator in the world.
Dubai Duty Free spans more than 36,000 square meters and offers virtually everything: from gold jewelry and luxury watches to the latest iPhones and exclusive perfumes. It’s a true shopping city within an airport. Travelers can assemble an entire lifestyle set during a layover — new gadgets, travel-exclusive fragrances, Arabic dates, and spices.
What makes Dubai Duty Free stand out is its record number of travel-exclusive offers and promotions. Massive sales, festive raffles, and ongoing campaigns attract passengers of all budgets. Thanks to this, annual revenues are measured in billions of dollars, securing Dubai’s status as the world’s biggest duty free operator.
Service is another strong point: staff speak multiple languages, understand the tastes of diverse cultures, and ensure that shopping remains smooth and enjoyable even during peak hours.
8. Rome Fiumicino Airport Duty Free (Italy)
Rome has always been about style, and Fiumicino Airport perfectly translates this idea into its duty free experience. In 2025, it claimed eighth place in the Skytrax rankings, largely thanks to its successful blend of Italy’s dolce vita spirit with a modern approach to shopping.
The duty free operations at Fiumicino are managed by Aelia Duty Free (Lagardère Travel Retail). In recent years, they’ve made a huge leap forward, opening one of the world’s largest duty free spaces (around 3,000 m²) and transforming it into a genuine lifestyle hub. The essence of Italy is felt immediately — from the aromas of espresso and wine to the designer showcases of Gucci and Prada.
The highlight of Rome’s duty free is its Italian beauty and gastronomy scene. Passengers can find not only classic beauty and fashion brands but also authentic local delicacies: wines, olive oil, pasta, and truffles. It feels like a mini culinary tour of Italy without leaving the airport.
Service and design also stand out. The stores are bright, spacious, and stylish, while the airport’s five-star status guarantees quality at every step. Clear navigation, convenient pick-up points, and regular promotions make the shopping experience even more enjoyable.
9. Hong Kong International Airport Duty Free (China)
Hong Kong is a city of the future, and its airport fully embodies this philosophy. The duty free experience here is a seamless blend of Eastern aesthetics and global luxury.
The key players are Duty Zero by cdf and BEAUTY&YOU by The Shilla Duty Free. Together, they have created a multi-layered retail ecosystem where traditional categories are reimagined in fresh, innovative ways.
Duty Zero by cdf is a true paradise for alcohol enthusiasts, offering one of the world’s most extensive selections of premium wines and spirits, including exclusive collections of Asian whiskies and cognacs.
BEAUTY&YOU is much more than just a beauty store — it’s a full-fledged lifestyle hub. Here, skincare, fashion, accessories, and even cutting-edge beauty gadgets come together. The store design makes you feel as if you’ve stepped into a flagship boutique in the heart of the city.
Hong Kong’s particular pride lies in its digital solutions and seamless shopping. Travelers can use mobile services for quick orders, save items in a “virtual cart,” and collect them at their convenience. This reflects the spirit of the metropolis, where speed and technology are always at the forefront.
Adding to its uniqueness is a touch of Asian character. The duty free offers local cosmetic brands, popular traditional medicine products, and souvenirs with a contemporary design twist.
10. Seoul Incheon Airport Duty Free (South Korea)
South Korea has managed to transform its main aviation hub into more than just a transport gateway — it’s a true retail paradise, where duty free is as much a landmark as the country’s cultural treasures.
For years, Seoul Incheon has held the global crown in sales volume. The secret lies in its unique combination of global luxury and K-beauty. Here, duty free has become a strategic showcase for local brands: Amorepacific, Laneige, Sulwhasoo, and The History of Whoo all rose to global fame after millions of travelers first discovered them at Incheon.
The retail space is operated by several giants — Lotte Duty Free, Shilla Duty Free, Shilla IPark, and Shinsegae Duty Free. Their rivalry fuels constant innovation: from interactive pop-up lounges to AR displays and seamless pre-order systems. Add to this regular shows, cultural installations, and even K-pop concerts right inside the terminal.
What makes Incheon stand out is its balance of scale and comfort. The layout is intuitive, the spaces are bright and modern, and the overall duty free atmosphere feels more like a luxury shopping mall with a catwalk for global brands. Skytrax highly values the customer experience here — from smart navigation to services tailored for a diverse international audience.
Another key advantage lies in pricing and exclusives. Korea is famous for its duty free promos: cosmetic sets, special K-pop souvenirs, and limited-edition collections from fashion houses. Shopping here isn’t just advantageous — it’s collectible.
How to choose the duty free store
- Beauty & Fragrances: Heathrow, Doha, Changi, Narita (especially for niche Japanese brands).
- Alcohol, Tobacco & Travel-Exclusives: Dubai, Hong Kong (Duty Zero by cdf), Rome FCO.
- Luxury & Fine Jewelry: Doha, Seoul Incheon (new Chanel T2 boutique included).
- Souvenirs & Local Delicacies: Narita (Fa-So-La), Paris CDG (Extime), Istanbul.
The Top 10 duty free stores of 2025 are no longer just places to shop before boarding. They’ve become entire worlds where culture, design, technology, and emotion intertwine. From the botanical gardens in Singapore to the Old Bazaar in Istanbul, from the K-beauty revolution in Seoul to fine wine collections in Hong Kong — each airport creates its own story, with the traveler as the main character.
Key trends shaping global duty free in 2025:
- Lifestyle approach — duty free stores feel more like cultural hubs than retail corridors.
- Digital-first — seamless pre-order, AR displays, and mobile services have become the standard.
- Storytelling & scenography — store design and pop-ups turn shopping into a show.
- Local identity — gastronomy, craft, and national artistry bring emotional value to every purchase.
One service that truly elevates the shopping experience is pre-ordering. With platforms like Mydutyfree, you can select your favorite products online in advance and enjoy an exclusive 5% discount. Your purchases will be waiting at the duty free store on the day you travel, ready for easy pickup and payment at a dedicated counter.