10 of the best airports for shopping

Changi, Singapore (SIN)

Most of us aren’t looking for Chinese medicines or birds’ nests, though shops here are dedicated to both. Head to Jewel Changi Airport entertainment and retail complex for other local goodies. Check out the barbecued meats at Bee Cheng Hiang, local-brand coffee and tea at Kim’s Duet, and colourful confectionery such as coconut-flavoured ondeh-ondeh rice cake balls at Bengawan Solo. You’ll also find locally made fashion, jewellery and watches. See changiairport.com

Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS)

The Museum Shop at Schiphol has Delft porcelain and goods emblazoned with works by the Old Masters.

You can buy tulips bulbs in Schiphol, but Australian quarantine would be horrified. Instead, head to Dutch Discoveries (several outlets) and We Love Holland (lounge three), to satisfy your desire for painted clogs, windmills and waffle makers. Local lingerie brand Hunkemoller makes a change from Victoria’s Secret. More sophisticated is The Museum Shop, which has Delft porcelain, heritage gifts and goods emblazoned with Rembrandt and van Gogh motifs. See schiphol.nl

Dubai, Emirates (DXB)

Traditional Arabic tea set at Dubai International Airport.Credit: istock

The Gifts from Dubai section of duty free in all terminals has everything from the tacky – snowdomes, stuffed toy camels and models of Burj Khalifa tower – to the traditional, including hookahs, graceful aftabas pitchers and Aladdin-esque oil lamps. Amid the cloud of usual perfumes, seek out Emirati brands Ajmal and Anfas Alkhaleej, which have a more musky, woody aroma than some European-produced perfumes and come in decorative and unusual bottles. See dubaiairports.ae

Bangkok, Thailand (BKK)

Ignore Swatches and Swarovski crystals at Suvarnabhumi Airport in favour of local products. DoiTung sells items handcrafted by minorities in northern Thailand as an alternative to illicit crop cultivation: you’ll find beautiful mulberry paper, ceramics and handwoven rugs. Bangkok-based company Jim Thompson tempts with luxury silk fabrics used in interior decoration: bag yourself a throw or cushion cover. You’ll find affordable souvenirs at Memories of Thailand and Tastes of Thailand. See airportthai.co.th

Chicago, US (ORD)

Amid the dross of American airport shopping, Chicago stands out. ChiBoys in T3 has fashion and accessories that reference Chicago history and architecture, and Field Museum Store in T1 carries natural history-related products such as dinosaur models. Head to Hoypoloi Gallery in T2 for fine art and sculpture related to Disney, Dr Seuss and other pop icons. Meanwhile, I Love Chicago in T5 goes beyond the usual fridge magnets with ceramics, prints and jewellery from local artists. See flychicago.com

Hong Kong, China (HKG)

Why go French or Italian? Local lifestyle brand G.O.D. in T1 carries everything from tea to greeting cards, stationery to homeware; its Angry Cat (a giving-the-finger variation of the waving cat) is amusing. Design Gallery brings together some 200 Hong Kong designers and brands, covering everything from trinkets to fashion and household appliances. At the cheaper end, Discover Hong Kong sells souvenirs such as model junks, mugs and panda-emblazoned pens. See hongkongairport.com

London Heathrow, UK (LHR)

In T2 and T4, London toy store Hamleys sells everything from double-decker bus models to guardsman bears. In T3 (used by Qantas), T4 and T5 you’ll find Britannia kitsch at Glorious Britain: mugs and jerseys from football clubs, Big Ben fridge magnets and everything Beatles and royal family. And in T2 and T5, you can plunder fine-food company Fortnum & Mason for very British hampers and its in-house Explorer’s Blend tea. See heathrow.com

Narita, Japan (NRT)

It’s the Japanese habit to favour souvenir and gift shop at airports, so you’re spoiled for choice. Buy traditional sweets and sake at Fa-So-La, which has outlets across the airport. In T2, Fukujuen, one of Japan’s oldest tea stores, has the matcha tea and delicate confectionery used in tea ceremonies. Then check out Iwakura in T1 for Shinto rocks, prayer beads and wind chimes as you’re serenaded by the sound of a gurgling stream. See narita-airport.jp

Los Angeles, US (LAX)

Harley-Davidson golf balls and Hello Kitty California mugs are fun buys at Los Angeles International Airport. Credit: Getty Images

Shop your fill of branded baseball caps, bags and hoodies at E! Entertainment in T8, where plasma screens ensure you won’t miss Kardashian updates as you browse. Then get your motor running at Bartels’ Harley-Davidson in T7, although the spirit of Easy Rider is long gone when even golf balls are Harley branded. You’ll find I Love LA in T1 and T5 has US-exclusive Hello Kitty California mugs and T-shirts for those who can’t resist cat-inspired kitsch. See laxshopdine.com

Abu Dhabi, Emirates (AUH)

Ignore Toblerone and Hershey and focus on Middle Eastern chocolate brands at Le Gourmet, such as Al Nassma for camel-milk chocolate spiced with cinnamon, and Patchi for gourmet chocolates filled with pomegranate cream or caramelised hazelnut. In DFS, Bateel has gorgeous boxes of dates such as the chewy red khidri and caramel-like khola, stuffed with orange peel or marzipan. You’ll find healthier options in LuLu: premium dried nuts and fruit from local brands such as Bayara. See zayedinternationalairport.ae