You have reached the end of your vacation filled with the magic of the Red Sea, your bronze tan, and countless memories. Before returning home, would you like to take a small piece of this wonderful Egyptian adventure with you? Or perhaps you would like to bring a gift that reminds your loved ones of Egypt. There are small shops where you can shop at Marsa Alam Airport. This airport does not have huge shopping areas like large airports. It offers a boutique and intimate shopping experience that provides you with basic necessities and authentic souvenirs. Here is everything you need to know before spending your last Egyptian pounds!
Where are the Marsa Alam Airport shops located?
Pre-Check-In Area: After entering the Departure Lounge but before passing through passport control, you will find a few small shops. These shops sell snacks, drinks, and magazines.
Departure Lounge: The real shopping experience begins after you pass through passport and security control. In this area, where you will wait for your flight, you will find the main Duty-Free store and various souvenir shops. All stores are located close to each other.
What are the Marsa Alam Airport shop opening times?
Flights at Marsa Alam Airport are limited in number. Therefore, store hours are entirely based on the flight schedule for the day. Shopping stores open a few hours before the first scheduled flight and continue to operate until the last flight departs. This means that as long as your flight is scheduled, you can be sure that the stores will be open.
Is shopping at Marsa Alam Airport cheap?
Souvenirs: Authentic Egyptian souvenirs such as papyrus, small statues, and spice sets are more expensive at the airport than at a market in the city or shops in El Quseir. Here, you pay a fixed and higher price for a product that you could buy at a lower price by bargaining in the city. Therefore, I recommend doing your souvenir shopping during your vacation.
Duty-Free Products: Classic Duty-Free products such as perfume, cosmetics, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco products may be more affordable than retail prices in your country since they are tax-free. However, this does not always mean they are the cheapest. So, don’t forget to compare prices.
Duty-free shopping
Duty-free shopping means exactly what it says: shopping without paying taxes. This allows passengers departing the country on an international flight to purchase certain products without paying local taxes. You must show your passport and boarding pass at the checkout to make a purchase. This proves that you are leaving the country and are eligible for this privilege. But be careful! There are limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco products that each passenger can bring into their own country. To avoid exceeding these limits, you should check the customs regulations of the country you are traveling to in advance.
Our 5 top tips for shopping in Marsa Alam Airport
Compare prices: If you find a souvenir you like during your vacation, try to buy it from a shop in the city after bargaining. The airport should only be an option for “last-minute” or forgotten gifts.
Know the customs limits: Especially if you plan to buy alcohol or cigarettes, make sure you do not exceed your country’s customs exemption limits. You may have your excess items confiscated or be required to pay high taxes.
Spend Your Last Egyptian Pounds: Use the last Egyptian pounds in your wallet to buy a bottle of water, a snack, or a small magnet.
Payment Options: Most stores accept Euros, US Dollars, and Egyptian Pounds. Credit cards are also accepted. Generally, try to pay in the currency listed on the price tag (usually Euros or Dollars) to avoid exchange rate differences.
Focus on Authentic Products: Instead of international brands, I recommend buying local products such as small handmade items unique to Egypt and high-quality cotton textiles. You won’t find these products everywhere.
List of shops in Marsa Alam Airport
EGYPTAIR Duty Free: The largest duty-free shop is located after passport control. Here you can find perfumes, cosmetics, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, chocolate, and products from some international brands. This store is located immediately at the beginning of the international departure corridor, on the right after passing through passport control. As soon as you step inside, you will be greeted by a spacious area exceeding 300 m². Here, you can find perfume and cosmetics collections from global giants such as Chanel, Dior, Lancôme, Estée Lauder, Gucci, and Versace, tobacco products from brands like Marlboro and Davidoff, and chocolate and confectionery brands from around the world (Lindt, Toblerone, Ferrero Rocher). The store displays the net price, exempt from “tax free” tax, for each product group.
Overseas Duty Free: Overseas Duty Free is located in the international departure section of the airport, in a corridor parallel to EGYPTAIR Duty Free. Its spacious 200 m² store sells products from international accessory and fashion brands. Additionally, the store offers products from brands such as Samsonite, Delsey, Tumi, and Kipling in luggage, bags, and travel sets. The store frequently offers “buy 3, pay for 2” and “bundle set” discounts, providing advantageous opportunities for budget-conscious travelers.
Shops & Bazars: In the small market stalls next to the Duty Free areas, you can find products reflecting Egypt’s thousands of years of handicraft tradition. These small shops are ideal for those seeking traditional Egyptian souvenirs. You can purchase Pharaoh statues, paintings on papyrus, “sphinx” figurines, and other tourist items.
Spice blends (rosehip, cumin, cardamom, saffron) are sold in aromatic glass jars. You can use these special blends in your cooking. Additionally, the airport offers handcrafted jewelry, colorful glass beads, silver filigree, and turquoise stone-worked necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Prices at the airport are fixed. Do not attempt to haggle here. Spend your final hours in Marsa Alam searching for a last Egyptian souvenir in this peaceful and relaxed airport. Have a safe flight.