We're planning a trip to Rome next September and we will either be flying into Naples and out of Rome, or into Rome and out of Naples. If you've been in either of those airports in the last year or two, returning to the USA, did you notice if there were significant savings on premium Italian wines, liquors, and/or balsamico tradizionale?

Hi CA,

The duty free shops are usually more expensive than buying the same products in the city.

Naples will be less expensive than Rome.

I did some price comparisons in October and found that books and calendars were the same price as in Rome. Candy was roughly 10% more at duty free than in the city. Alcohol was typically 25% more than in the city and cheese was anywhere from 50 to 100% more. I didn't notice anything that was cheaper than if purchased in the city.

The duty free at Naples airport is stupidly expensive. Whether this is anything to do with the airport being run by BAA (British airport authorities?) I don't know, but avoid it.

In my experience, the duty free places are really good only for itmes whose prices would reflect a high level of taxes paid on import when purchased elsewhere. So, in Italy the items that you would get for a discount would be alcohol (not wine) from outside Italy; scotch whiskey or vodka, for example. Some perfumes may be good buys. Cigarettes. Sometimes Cuban cigars. Italian items would probably be better purchased in shops in town. Food and wine are rarely good buys at any airport. These have been my general impressions. That said, I have seen limoncello and other after-dinner alcohols sold in Italian airports at prices which are very low as compared with those in the US. You really need to have an idea before you travel as to what prices are at home.

I've often found that buying goods in grocery stores, rather than specialty shops, will yield the biggest savings. This was especially true in Greece (Santorini) where a 8E bottle of wine from the grocery store cost 13E at a specialty store 1 block away.

Better prices and more importantly better choice for wine and balsamic vinegar in town than at the airport at Rome. Have never flown out of Naples but I suspect the same is true there too. I would also say that unless you are buying upper end stuff that the savings may not be worth your troubles. This is especially true if you live where there may be excellent local stores or acess to having such items shipped to you from stores in NYC, LA, SF, Chicago etc. It is however fun to shop in some stores which specialize in these items such as in Rome. Try Trimani at Via Goito 20 near the Termini, La Bottega del Vino at V S. Maria del Pianto 9/a-11 in the ghetto, Buccone at V. di Ripetta 19 near the P. Popolo, and Goffredo Chirra at V. Torino 133 near the Termini, Enoteca del Corso at C. So Vittorio Emanuele 11 293 near the P Navona,or Il Goccetto at Via dei Banchi Vecchi14 near the C. de Fiori. Do not know Naples that well so have no suggestions there.

Thanks for the suggestions, one and all. Sounds like saving space for some airport purchases isn't a good way to go. As to the wine shops, thanks for those suggestions. Trimani was recommended to me on a wine forum.

food goods are much cheaper at any superstore in town. As to liquor lemoncello at the airport ran from 11e to 18e. I bought the same stuff at the store for 3e to 11e.

If you're planning on buying wine or limoncello "in town", bring some bubble wrap in your suitcase to wrap around each bottle. A pal of mine and his wife were able to get 4 bottles this way into their suitcases, no spills, no breakages.

Buon Viaggio,
BC