Duty Free Secrets Revealed - Should YOU Buy Alcohol in Airport Duty Free Shops?

[@flakken44]

As a distributor of alcohol in duty free, I can confirm that more than half of the price of a bottle is retailer/airport margin. As you mentioned, airports charge exorbitant amounts for rent (which duty free shops have no choice but to pay). On top of that, duty free shops have to deal with extra costs from the security procedures for bringing in stock, staff vetting, making sure all shelving is fireproof, etc. All of those costs are eventually passed on to consumers. As distributors, we might sell a bottle for $35-40, but the final price becomes $100 because of that margin... So really, duty free is expensive because running an airport safely is expensive

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Flakken. I did have a sequence in the video's script talking about the burdens of building something in an airport - I was involved in building some restaurants inside an airport a few years back. But I cut it as it was a bit dull and off topic (even for me!!!) It is a very, very difficult and expensive environment to operate in!

[@jamesm7126]

Great video Matt, thanks. It is really interesting to see that on the whole DF is more expensive. I pick up alcohol nearly every time a travel (3/4 times per year) Before doing so I have a good look at the prices on offer in comparison to UK supermarkets. In recents years I have managed to get champagne/English Sparking at around £8-£10 below supermarket prices. Using the DF click and collect service often offers an extra 10% off the price or sometimes buying twin packs helps. Thanks again

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - the click and collect can make a difference... I tend to not look at the champagne too closely - perhaps I should

[@TonyLon]

Great video - i must admit I hadn't realised quite how much the duty & taxes were. The cheapest place in Europe we've found on our travels is Gibraltar. Have called in a few times on cruises and a happy hour or two can be spent comparing prices on the numerous off-licences on the Main St. Our comparison reference item is a 1l bottle of Gordons Gin. Back in December the shops were selling that for £8.50 - £10, and then we got back to the ship and the cruise terminal shop was even cheaper at £7.95 - so could have saved ourselves that time doing our comparison shopping!

[@MattsPlanet]

I like Gibraltar... I thought the duty free shop at the airport was a wee bit higher than the high street - still good value though - but the cruise terminal is worth knowing about!!!

[@davidmason1919]

Great video Matt, the last time we went to Cyprus I noticed how expensive the duty free shop was and commented that our local Tesco was cheaper. Although I also noticed on the way out how cheap Manchesters dfs was but didn’t fancy taking the booze there and back but might risk it when we go in a few weeks. 👍

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks David. The "buy on the outbound leg" issue often perplexes me.... At least when I am checking bags - when I go HBO its irrelevant as I can't bring it back in the hand baggage! But is saving a few quid worth the hassle of lugging a kilo (plus the bottle) of booze around with me all trip?

[@visions1970]

I often check on Amazon while in duty free, especially if I want aftershave, but those are good tips for buying booze!

[@MattsPlanet]

It's a point I should probably have made actually, that near perfect information is available on everyone's phones...

[@P8REN]

Me too!

[@deepbluemania9679]

I must admit you've taken an interesting approach to duty/tax free traveller shopping.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks! Interesting was my goal!

[@kenlawdavis1742]

Very enlightening Matt. At my local Costco, I can buy a bottle of Glenlivet single malt for $28US, thus proving your point.

[@MattsPlanet]

I remember Costco... We have them in the UK and although they look quite similar, its just not the same experience!

[@Locutus]

@@MattsPlanet I'm a Costco member. To be honest, I don't find them much cheaper than Tesco for most of their grocery products. Often, Tesco is cheaper. My membership expires in April. I won't be renewing it, as I don't spend enough to get the benefits of the membership fee.

[@EddyRoblesOficial]

wow! what a great video! finally found a very informative video on this topic, the rest were just silly people that don't even know how to use a camera and are to proud to be at an airport. Anyway, thanks mate ! you got yourself another subscriber :D

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Eddy. This video was on the very first list of videos I wanted to make and I was pleased to finally get it out there! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@finnishlad]

Great video. Oh happy days of student trips to France with wine at F3.5! Special offers, that's the trick. Frequently in Helsinki recently, litres of vodka and gin circa 13 euros. Well done Finland!

[@MattsPlanet]

I remember seeing a number of very merry Finns in Tallinn about to get on a ferry back home... Seemed to have some very heavy bags with them...

[@hgr2613]

Fascinating and informative video Matt. Am constantly irritated by the price of all duty free products at airports, given you can get it much cheaper at your local supermarket, suffice we never buy duty free or duty not-free!! Further, a high proportion of travelling folk have a holiday-mode mind set when they get to an airport ...............Viv Nicholson :-)

[@MattsPlanet]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Locutus]

Agree. Duty-free stopped being cheaper than the high street, a good 10+ years ago.

[@well-blazeredman6187]

So interested ....... I watched it twice! £26 spent with Tui yesterday on a bottle of gin and a bottle of rum. £19 saved on the prices at my local supermarket. That £19? Nearly enough to pay for the additional rail-ticket I needed after that plane was over three hours late. Now, where's that Matt"s Planet guide to delay compensation? Oh, there it is!

[@MattsPlanet]

You win some, you lose more .... Or at least I seem to!

[@mddawson1]

My in-laws are in Vienna so I visit them every 5 years or so. We often buy a lot of Mirabell Mozartkugel chocolates to bring back home to Australia. We get them a local supermarkets like Billa or Spar as they are around EU6 a bag while the same bag is EU10,49 at Vienna Airport duty free stores.

[@MattsPlanet]

Know your prices!!! Good work

[@AussieJetSetter]

Great video, very insightful Matt. I'd say that you can definitely notice a significant price drop duty fee with your baseline spirits duty free in Australia but anything more premium the price drop becomes pretty minor. Wine is taxed very differently though so wouldn't notice much or any difference at all! In any case beer and spirits drinkers are being taken for a ride in Australia!

[@MattsPlanet]

Budget prevented me from adding an Aussie airport to the analysis this time!

[@j2simpso]

For those who aren’t aware, the UK has some of the freest booze laws in the world. You can get booze anywhere including at supermarket, you can enjoy your booze anywhere including in a park and the legal drinking age ain’t 21 like some countries.

[@MattsPlanet]

It's not cheap, but it's abundant!!!

[@michelletaylor5691]

Hmmm know I know why everyone in Blackpool seems inebriated...

[@peteradaniel]

Germany is pretty free as well. They even have lower ages for low alcohol beer.

[@barbarawissinger]

I wanted to buy my husband Jack Daniels Sinatra edition. In the US, it costs $185 plus tax. At Heathrow it costs £121, plus the Red by Dufry 5% discount. That was worth the wait.

[@MattsPlanet]

Wowser!! It really pays to know the par price!

[@Fat_Cat_747]

The only situation where I see a point of it, is to buy a bottle on the way outward for your hotel room. You can't take it through security and anyway it saves hassle of finding a supermarket upon arrival. Never even done that and would only do it if plenty of room in carry on bag. You risk it breaking too - possibly soaking your documents, electronics and stand by under clothing. On the way back your luggage is likely to be less neatly packed and may have more stuff too, so finding room might be a problem. To carry an extra plastic bag could be done but either way you risk smashing it on the way home from the airport as you try to control multiple pieces of luggage and negotiate transport. And for what ???? As you point out, it usually not much !

[@MattsPlanet]

A splash of whisky in your nightly saucer of milk???

[@irishinusa1615]

Very interesting. Had no idea. Via Dublin on me list 😆 🤣 👍👊🥂 Thanks

[@MattsPlanet]

In Dublin? Not so cheap.... At Dublin Airport? OK!

[@7puffs7]

In Ireland a liter bottle of Smirnoff goes for around 25-30 Euro. You can often times get a liter of similar vodka in duty free when traveling from the UK to Ireland between 12-15 Euro. So if you are traveling to Ireland from the UK duty free can be a good deal in certain cases. Price will very due to MUP and brand of course.

[@7puffs7]

MUP stands for Minimum Unit Pricing which has increased the price of alcoholic beverages sold in ROI.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks John... I was quite surprised to pay upwards of £6 for a pint of Guinness in Temple Bar when I was last there - the entertainment the pub provided was pretty good though so it was well worth it! Scotland introduced MUP and I think I'm right in saying consumption didn't budge but debt levels raised as people just paid more!

[@stevebee5840]

Great content as usual......you obviously put a lot of research into your videos...thanks

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for watching!

[@fanserviced]

Super informative, thanks for sharing!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks so much Tracy! Glad it was interesting... Try to throw out a video like this every month or two!

[@user-yh8wp2ic6o]

Great vid, as always!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks so much

[@georgeh5075]

As a bit of a whiskey nerd, wine and spirit shops in your capital are a better bet for cheap(er) rare spirits. Or luxury depr stores. London Eg. Harrods or whiskey exchange. You can sometimes be better off for standard brands and some of their lower tier varients eg. Jameson's and Jameson's black barrel. As an aside JW black or green is a rock solid whiskey, definitely buy some if it's under 22/35 quid

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks George... I watched Trek Trendy's latest video on La Premiere yesterday and he showed the whisky menu in the lounge in Paris... Trek raved about it but I didn't think it was that great - everything was very mainstream. And they described all the Johnny Walker whiskies as "single malts" which I'm pretty sure they aren't??

[@michelletaylor5691]

Never bother with duty free, it's a rip off in my humble opinion.....another great video 📹 ❤️ 🇬🇧 ❤️

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Michelle - that's kinda my conclusion... I replied to another comment that at the end of the day it comes down to whether you want to lug a heavy bottle (or four!) around to save a couple of quid... And that's if you're able to find decent value in a duty free shop in the first place!

[@martinbaum5354]

fascinating video. I have found gins like Tanqueray and Gordons (full export strength) to be great value - if flying out of the EU. Remember buying Vladivar Gold (does that exist?) at a similar price. But yes, was disappointed a couple of weeks back flying out of UK to find the prices were rubbish.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Martin. Gin can be an odd category as its not well known in some corners of the world...

[@bach4211]

Great video Matt! We were heading to Lanzarote in July, which is well known for its cheap booze and tobacco. We were planning to buy 1l of Tanqueray when we got there, but it was just £13 in Bristol airport duty free, a good £7 cheaper than we’ve seen it anywhere in a supermarket. Perhaps airports that serve predominantly cheap EU holiday destinations have better duty free prices too?!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - that would fit my theory. Not many flights from Bristol to Dubai or Doha... £13 is a good price! Hope you had a great time.

[@bach4211]

@@MattsPlanet no indeed-there did used to be a daily flight from Cardiff to Doha, but Qatar have yet to reinstate the route post-covid. We had a lovely time, thank you!

[@olezhastanislavich8818]

Great tips! Thank a lot!)))

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks!

[@IWTBF]

Great review on the duty free

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks!

[@ETTakesOff]

Great video! I always felt duty free at the airports was a scam and noticed it's cheaper to just by in the shops!

[@MattsPlanet]

It can be good... But often isn't!

[@peetbothma6982]

Nice one Matt coming from a CA with a personality😁👌. Where Iive most alchol and for that matter perfume, cigatettes and other duty free staples are almost always cheaper in our shops. I use duty free only to spend the last foreign currency in my wallet and then on Tobelerone or shortbread on the 3 for 2 specials😂🇿🇦

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Peet... I may have spent 25 years pursuing the wrong career.... I have a strict rule about only having Toblerone at Christmas, otherwise I'd be a really, really fat CA with personality!

[@peetbothma6982]

The Toblerones and shortbread are for the wife and boys😇

[@MattsPlanet]

@@peetbothma6982 No need to explain... I consider us to be good friends by now!!!

[@peetbothma6982]

Thanks Matt. When you come down South, please let me know, would certainly like to show you our best👍👍🇿🇦

[@MattsPlanet]

@@peetbothma6982 Thanks Peet. Next year hopefully!

[@zwiatremnampodrodze]

For some time now I have noticed that there is no benefit in buying alcohol in the duty free. They used to have a nice promotion of 2 1l whiskies for £70, and you could find bottles which normally in the shop costed more that £35. But now it is, if I remember - £75 or £90 (for more expensive whisky) and it is not as good as it used to be. We stopped buying anything in duty free, because even fragrances you can buy cheaper on the high street and if you use a cashback or online promotions, then there is no point in visiting duty free on the airport. Just do your research. Love your channel btw! A lot of info and fantastic, helpful videos!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - lots of people commented that tobacco can still be a winner in duty free but I'm not a smoker and I don't want my channel to get demonetised so I didn't mention it!!!

[@Stardust29690]

My dad likes Jameson black barrel. Dublin €44 a litre, stansted £45 for 2 litres. Dublin more expensive than Asda in Northern Ireland Stansted great value. Watch out buyer beware make sure you know the price before going in

[@MattsPlanet]

I need to reset my prince benchmarks as this video is a couple of years old now and everything's gone up so much!

[@haddockman30]

Never knew that Dublin was the cheapest being my local airport. Much have a good poke around next time I am travelling.

[@MattsPlanet]

Dublin is my go to place when I'm replenishing my aftershave too - a less exhaustive analysis has been done on that category but Dublin was very competitive when I was buying a few years back.

[@gettingsaltier1586]

If you're a smoker would like to see a video on tabacco products during your travels.. I know Philippines cigarettes are quite a bargain. Thanks for the info!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks. Not a smoker, and I don't think KZbin loves smoking content, so I doubt you'll see a video like that from me or anyone else!!! But you are spot on - bargains can be had in that area!!!

[@scottpainter5280]

The only duty free item of any value at airports relative to high street prices for me has been cigarettes in the UK and across Europe. A substantial saving for UK travellers departing the uk or returning even for small amounts that fit with your duty free allowance of 200. Interested to hear your theory on why airport retailers/airports do not generally profit take in the same way as they do with alcohol purchases.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Scott. Ciggies isn't my thing so I can't really comment.... Plus KZbin dislikes the topic (for obvious reasons) so I'm inclined to stay away from it sadly...

[@Brandonplanespotter23]

Well, me and my family went to Menorca and on baird the aircraft there was an offer it was 2, 1 litre bottles of smirnoth vodka for something around £20 now the high Street price of that is around £20 per bottle so that was a good buy. This was a returning TUI flight back to the UK

[@MattsPlanet]

That is a good deal!! It must make sense for the airline even with the fuel costs of having to lug bottles around!

[@Alex-om1be]

Great video once again

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks!

[@bowman7296]

Yes Matt that was very interesting but have to admit I don't even look at duty free when passing through, have always said it is not worth the hassle of carrying it about, although it can take a bit of coxing my wife to keep moving when passing through as she always wants a look at the perfumes but that's women for you😀😀😀

[@MattsPlanet]

The "can I be bothered to lug this" factor does kick in for me too - it has to be a pretty special deal to make that worthwhile... As for the last bit - I'll reserve comment!

[@LewisWestcottlouelle100]

I went to Dublin a few months ago and bought a 1 litre bottle of flavoured gin for €11 bargain!! I’m not really a gin connoisseur so this was a fantastic deal for me

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Lewis - Dublin has bargains for sure!

[@richardbutler4488]

@@MattsPlanetyes some bargains but many poor deals too. You need to be careful and do research 🧐 into what’s worth buying or not. Ryanair onboard can be good but that’s a gamble and a very minimal range obviously!

[@Locutus]

I don't buy anything from duty-free, as it's cheaper to buy sweets and drinks from Tesco. I will occasionally buy a Scotch for an American friend, but that's it, and that's only every 2-3 years, and that's because I don't want to pack it in my luggage, in case it breaks!

[@MattsPlanet]

Buying something can double the weight of your hand luggage for sure!

[@tomasosores]

Great video!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - hope it helped!

[@jeffflad]

You now have me wondering if I should’ve bought my new aftershave on our way out to Crete in LHR from Boots in town 😬

[@MattsPlanet]

Its only going to be a few quid either way... Probably!

[@richardbutler4488]

Helps that Dublin Airport run their own Duty Free Shops. Even a few internationally. I find world a total rip off and they seem to have almost every uk airport signed up, so I imagine they are milking the customers for the airports to make excellent revenues.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Richard. I guess a duty free retailer has a monopoly in the airport they're contracted to - you'd hope there'd be some competitive pressure keeping pricing in line between airports, but there probably isn't!

[@PatrickBurford1]

Smirnoff blue at 50% vodka is very tasty and usually around £10 to £13 in a cheap duty free versus minimum £20 if your lucky and can find it on the high street / online

[@MattsPlanet]

That is cheap - the duty on 50% ABV spirits is crazy

[@OptikC]

A very difficult video to watch with a hangover, but a great video nonetheless.

[@MattsPlanet]

Try making this video with a hangover!!!

[@ployaerials1033]

Hi Matt, thanks for the video. Is it fair to say that based on that index I’ll likely find slightly cheaper alcohol in Spain on my return leg in a few weeks time? 😃

[@MattsPlanet]

In Spain it will almost certainly be cheaper. Whether it'll be cheap in the airport is another question - that seems to depend more on where people are going rather than the fact you're in Spain. I'd see if the airport has an online duty free shop so you can see before you get there.

[@ployaerials1033]

@@MattsPlanet great! Keep up the good work. ✈️

[@nomdutilisateur]

You could talk about anything and I would still watch your videos, just for the pleasure to listen to British accent

[@MattsPlanet]

Ah shucks....

[@brianc-i2i]

Beware if you're transiting through a hub. The pisco I bought in Lima was confiscated at Schipol after I forgot there would be a security check for onward London flight. Doubly annoying as the drink isn't generally available in the UK.

[@MattsPlanet]

Great point... Airports won't usually volunteer the risk as it means they make less money...

[@nigelmullen9546]

If its in a duty free sealed bag with the receipt showing then they cannot confiscate it when transiting EU countries, just been MAN - Copenhagen- Bangkok with 4 litres of rum I bought in Manchester zero issue's. Also agree with first point of do your homework as to prices, 7 year old havana club was I think about £21 a litre in Manchester £19 for 750ml cheapest UK when on offer but it was about £37 a litre in Copenhagen.

[@ianworthington2324]

Essential to be aware of this, and, in my opinion, the /only/ reason to buy at a df shop. On a trip back from Argentina via Chile to Colombia (which has high taxes on wine), I picked up a box of my favorite Chilean wine in the SCL shops. Cabin crew on LAN, back in the days when they were OW and getting gold status with them was easier then not, were happy to stow it safely for me and, I suspect, even happier when I appeared to be in danger of forgetting it as I disembarked :) (There was a story of a Chinese lady when, threatened with the confiscation of her bottle of expensive Remy at a security checkpoint she had forgotten about, instead downed the entire thing, thus earning her a free trip to hospital.)

[@jeffflad]

More of an on topic comment, really surprising of the lack of profit a bottle of booze produces for the producer… a real eye opener.

[@MattsPlanet]

Indeed Jeff - they have enormous volumes though - millions of bottles a year, so you don't need to make much per bottle to do ok!

[@lifelessordinaryxyz]

Although it is terrible for ones Health, I find that tobacco is usually a winner but only if it’s stuff you can’t get in your destination anyway or cigarettes are crazy prices (New Zealand) on the ground. For a long time I managed to get 250 grams of Samson Rolling tobacco for £8 from Dubai which equated to £1800 per year savings (as I convinced family and friends transiting to also purchase for me) aftershave is another one where I’ve had good fortune but as you say - it’s usually the things you can’t get via domestic retail. A thing you didn’t touch on was - arriving somewhere where you know they won’t have “your drink” or booze is so expensive - a drink in the room is the frugal option so rather than buying alternatives on the ground or spending a fortune on the ground (Dubai) you can arrive with at least a litre of something nice to drink which won’t break the bank - even if it is a bit more expensive than back home. Great video Matt and congrats on 5k. I must remember to send you an AMA question. :)

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for that! You are right that tobacco can be a winner, although KZbin can be a wee bit prudish about that particular subject so I decided not to mention it in this video! And you are also correct about the economics of having a cheeky drop to hand if you're in an expensive territory - I did that very thing in preparation for a longer stay in the UAE a few years back and it worked out well. Hic! Hit 5k around 12:30 - celebrated briefly then the march to 10k began!!!

[@abstracttrxp8621]

Very good video

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks!

[@gregjohnson720]

I would only buy something that is either not available for sale in my country or if the DF price is greater than 15% cheaper.

[@MattsPlanet]

Sensible strategy. Lugging a bottle around isn't worth it if you're only saving a buck or two...

[@alouie001]

For duty free scotch I only buy special releases or travel limited editions I could not otherwise buy at home. I don't waste time buying alcohol that could be easily bought locally.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks John. There's certainly some interesting stuff in duty free but I still don't love buying something without having tasted it first - especially if its quite expensive!

[@stivi739]

As a smoker in australia..124 buks for 50gm of tobacco..duty free 50 bucks

[@MattsPlanet]

KZbin doesn't like tobacco content so I stayed away from that aspect of duty free, but you are quite right!

[@lorelailaval7676]

Duty free is a mirage:) You will pay one way or another. Happy landings!

[@MattsPlanet]

If I can save someone wasting a few quid / bucks / pesos, my work is done! Thanks.

[@paulkeay5032]

Best bargain I recall finding was at Malaga port during a cruise about 6 years ago - A litre of Drambuie, supposedly with Duty paid, worked out at about £10. I enjoy Single Malt Whisky and decent Cognac and I find duty free prices either very disappointing or full of so called "special edition" non age statement stuff that you won't find in the UK - often at seemingly high prices and no real way to compare with UK prices as its stuff they don't sell on the high st

[@MattsPlanet]

There are some weird tax rules... I think it was Portugal where a litre of Aperol (11%, disgusting to drink!) was priced higher than a litre of vodka (40%, still quite disgusting to drink!!!) And you're absolutely right about odd stuff in duty free - its tough to commit without being able to taste the stuff to see if its drinkable!

[@waynecartwright9478]

Duty Free purchases in the U.S. from international airports has always been a higher price than in the city the airport is located......no savings on this end......This is what I know as a child in the late 70s to present times traveling internationally.

[@MattsPlanet]

Booze must be really, really cheap in Charlotte then!

[@derisleybrittain]

Excellent 🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷

[@MattsPlanet]

Lots of alcohol emojis for that one!!! Thanks

[@Grey_Area570]

There's always a misnomer regarding Duty free, it mightn't have the ususal rate of tax on it, but it isn't profit free is it. Having worked for the largest Airport operator for some years, you can thank his majesties governments for refusing to relinquish any single/dual till approach to having all this thrown down your throats everytime you enter an airport

[@MattsPlanet]

It's certainly not as cheap as it might seem...

[@SvenTheViking1]

I used to buy sun glasses and fragrance from airport duty free manly lhr and lgw but it’s cheaper on the high St

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - I used to buy expensive sunglasses too until I realised how often I lost them / sat on them... Now I buy very cheap pairs and consider them to be disposable!

[@jon-ie4li]

Cigarettes and hand rolling Tabacco are the only real duty free bargains, especially in the Far East, massive discounts on UK prices.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Jon - KZbin doesn't like tobacco talk so I didn't focus on that but I believe you are quite right!

[@mars2100]

Very intresting

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Andy!

[@pigedehekkan]

Good job (Y)

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks!

[@dospalmascb]

It’s always been far better to buy booze in the Spanish supermarket than in duty free.

[@MattsPlanet]

Spain is cheap... Shame we left the EU and I'm not able to go and live there any more!

[@Diego-pc4rc]

I was in turkey recently and the alcohol tax is 48% so even the ocerpriced duty free was cheaper

[@MattsPlanet]

Turkey was an index of 172 in that analysis so pretty pricey... Not unusual for predominantly Islamic countries though...

[@philbrassington557]

Know how much you product costs where you are but also where you're going. Gran Canaria has very low priced alcohol as did Florida. No point buying duty free if you're travelling to those destinations. Incidentally, I'm a fan of single malt scotch and I was working in Inverness. The people I was working with told me going to a distillery to buy whisky was pointless, it was cheaper at the supermarket.

[@MattsPlanet]

The Canary islands are very cheap! The distilleries will probably offer special stuff not available in your local Asda that, like duty free, will be really hard to understand the true value of.

[@helenplumb8078]

Copenhagen is the worst for this. They do not have 'non EU' pricing, the price is the same regardless if you are flying in the EU or out of the EU, and the prices are astronomical. I can only assume that for those flying out of the EU, they pocket the duty and VAT. So far this is the only EU airport I have seen this, however I think Amsterdam may be the same.

[@MattsPlanet]

I could be wrong but I think CPH and AMS have Schengen only terminals where everyone departing is staying within the EU so they'd only be able to sell grog at one price.... That may explain what you saw?

[@helenplumb8078]

@@MattsPlanet Hi Matt. Funnily enough you have the exact same name as my son! Matthew Jones! Well I am not sure. I was at Warsaw recently and the duty free is before passport control to exit the Schengen zone and everything was clearly marked as 'Non EU or EU'. They scanned the boarding pass to check you were eligible for the non EU price. I thought this was the standard.

[@JJ-vy2rh]

I mostly holiday in Cambodia as I support a family there there is no tax for booze, example 500ml beer for 50c us I don't go to duty free

[@MattsPlanet]

Planning a trip back to SE Asia next year... Are you team Anchor or team Angkor? Or even Team Beer Lao???

[@JJ-vy2rh]

@@MattsPlanet have to be angkor, but good knowledge Matt

[@RandomLifeProductions]

The moral of the story is shop around. It’s very rare you get a duty free deal…

[@MattsPlanet]

100%!

[@Mark.Claughton]

I remember JFK being super cheap on hard liquor 20 years ago lol

[@MattsPlanet]

Those were the days, eh?

[@pgriff44]

Now do one for cigarettes/tabacco

[@MattsPlanet]

KZbin isn't a fan of videos about that particular topic so probably not, unfortunately! I think much of the advice carries over from booze to smokes though!

[@mbarnbrook]

Astonished at just how much the government make on booze

[@MattsPlanet]

When they announce (in the UK at least) that they're adjusting beer tax by 1p, you think "so what?" but you don't realise how much is already in the price of your pint...

[@leemiller130]

I buy items that you can’t get in the US. So cost isn’t exactly the problem.

[@MattsPlanet]

There's not much that isn't available globally these days!

[@jamo3976]

Alcohol is way cheaper in duty free than many countries in Asia

[@MattsPlanet]

Some countries in Asia do have heavy taxes on "sin" products...

[@qase1985]

I see the haram drinks vary in price. bro quit while you still ahead but again you're moving to Azerbaijan 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 but great video love it

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks! This video is indeed haram heavy so it may not be of day to day use to some, but at least it was still enjoyable to watch!

[@byronjones7263]

Johnny Walker Black,750ml, (40%) metro Seattle = $65 depending on store ($65 is average). Flown out of Seattle, Vancouver (CA), and it always costs more. Even Manila was not great. In local store on promo 1 ltr was $19.50. Cigarettes are similarly no bargain. The is only 1 great Bargain in the world, SEA STORE pricing. US Navy or Merchant Marine shipping stores. Discount the best price by at least 40% and cigarettes even more discount. Buy a sailor a drink. hahahaha Civilian or Military. Be well

[@MattsPlanet]

I don't suppose the fact I was a sea scout in my teens would qualify??? Good to know, if only for academic reasons! Thanks

[@byronjones7263]

@@MattsPlanet Hahaha good one. Sorry. Hope you enjoyed the Sea Scouts. Good outfit for youngsters. Did you get your Sea Legs?

[@MattsPlanet]

@@byronjones7263 I think I did - I enjoy the water very much. But there was something about my spatial awareness that made it difficult for me to keep track of the wind direction when out in water in a sailboat so I was never particularly good at actually sailing....

[@jonboyjon1976]

Only place I’ve found really good or Duty Free is Brittany Ferries, but then I am more of a gin guy.

[@MattsPlanet]

Looking to do a "Booze Run" on a ferry to continue this duty free series I seem to have started! All quite expensive while the school holidays are still on...

[@scottprice4813]

I’ve always suspected the conclusions you’ve reached here. This always seemed to me to be a ritual that the herd probably succumbed to with all the flashy storefronts and skillful design forcing passengers to walk by.

[@MattsPlanet]

Please exit via the gift shop and enter through the duty free!!! It must be fantastic to live in Bahrain and think that every bottle of duty free grog you pass is a bargain!!

[@marleyite]

Duty free is one big rip off.

[@MattsPlanet]

That was the first draft of this script! Thought the video might be a bit short if I didn't pad that sentiment out a bit!

[@EVLitterPicker]

Im glad someone FINALLY found a benefit to Brexit 😏

[@MattsPlanet]

It took a while!!!

[@mrh7758]

Re JDs depends on time of year - Tescos we’re doing 1l for £23 (club card) in the run up to Christmas but £33 is more usual price in the UK

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Johnny. Load up at Christmas time!!!