Where to Buy Duty Free Goods

allby60


Joined: 07/05/2009
Posts: 19

Message Posted:
10/05/2009 21:51

Can anyone help please.

Where is the best ie cheapest place to buy drinks and ciggies.

1.UK airport on way out.

2.Istanbul Ataturk on way in or out .(Am flying UK ,Istanbul ,Ercan)

3.Ercan in or out.



Thanks

Whistler


Joined: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1332

Message Posted:
10/05/2009 23:43

I dont think you will be able to get duty free in Istanbul as it is only a stop-over for 45 minutes and you stay on the plane. Generally if you are coming here from the UK you would probably be better to get things here. They seem to be a lot cheaper than the south, mainly because of the euro exchange rate with sterling.

Whistler


Joined: 28/07/2008
Posts: 1332

Message Posted:
10/05/2009 23:45

Sorry Allby60, I am assuming you are either flying CTA or Pegasus.

TheSaints



Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 1369

Message Posted:
10/05/2009 23:58

Istanbull has quite a big duty free and the tobacco products are cheaper than the UK DF.

The high end cigars are a very good price.

Did not check the booze prices.

Dusterbruce


Joined: 03/08/2007
Posts: 1125

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 00:06

Dont know about booze but Ercan duty free certainly the cheapest for ciggies

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 00:24

Okay, on arrival at Ercan as your luggage is being unloaded, having passed passport control you will see a couple Duty Free shops open for business prior to customs control exit out into a place that doesn't exist! Far cheaper than anywhere else!



Richard

allby60


Joined: 07/05/2009
Posts: 19

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 20:19

Hi Whistler

We plan to fly Turkish into Istanbul and we have a couple of nights there before onto Ercan.Thanks



The Saints

Not checked yet.



Dusterbruce

Thanks



Richard

Thanks,do you know what the limits are ???

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 21:21

No restrictions if you buy at Ercan.

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 21:31

Woodspeckie - do you mean there are no restrictions outbound from Ercan?



We've found, over the years, that it's best to ask on arrival at Ercan, at the kiosks, "How many can we buy". Must admit, the answers vary - one chap will say "600 each" another might say something different. However, it must be remembered that, strictly speaking, you are only allowed, legally, to take 200 cigs per person BACK to the UK. Now, if you want to take a chance a buy a couple of thousand whilst you're actually in TRNC (at less than half the price of the UK) and put them in your suitcase, so be it. There's always the chance you'll get stopped and your suitcases searched at the UK airpor. But, the TRNC does not count as EEU when it comes to cigarette/booze allowance. I'd hate anyone who wasn't sure of the allowances gaily trolling into Stansted/Heathrow with a couple of thousand fags thinking they were entitled to bring them in.



J

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 22:24

Hi Jean I think its 400 from here. If from Larnaca its about 3000 but double the price of here. I wonder as we are unregonized could it be challenged if you are over the limit and stopped. Its more expensive to buy them here to put in your suitcase than it is at Ercan, buy a folding carry on bag and take them in that. love to you both. just sent you an email xxxxxx

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 22:24

alby60 is coming in to Ercan that is why I said no restrictions.

michelle3012


Joined: 07/11/2008
Posts: 578

Message Posted:
11/05/2009 23:23

There are restrictions for cigarettes into Ercan, its 400 per person, i have seen people get stopped and them taken away. A lot of people stock up in the Uk airports then buy at Ercan on the way in, this is when they get stopped, as they have too many Duty free Bags!!!

The prices for ciggies on the way in at Ercan are cheaper than the shops in Girne etc

So if you are coming from Istanbul then it would still be 400 total per person, they might be cheaper in Turkey, last time i came through they were about £15.00 per 200 at Ercan if you need that for guide.

zerochlor


Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 4024

Message Posted:
12/05/2009 09:31

Ercan duty free is cheaper i feel. cigs a couple of euros cheaper in ercan. booze cheaper also, came through ataturk yesterday had a nosey in duty free,all just a touch higher prices here in istanbul compared to ercan.



swings n rounderbouts!

allby60


Joined: 07/05/2009
Posts: 19

Message Posted:
12/05/2009 12:16

Thanks everyone,I know what to do know.