Best duty free prices (Adelaide International Airport (ADL))

Member Name: ambrosefleming

Product:	Adelaide International Airport (ADL)
Date:	21/11/00 (1623 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pleasant airport, convenient for South Australia, cheap duty free+

Disadvantages: Fairly small

Although not the largest city in Australia, Adelaide is more than large enough to have its own airport. The airport caters for both domestic and international flights, although in its current form the facilities can only handle one 747 Jumbo. In view of the increasing traffic there are plans to build a new international terminal in the not too distant future.

For the moment all flights embark and disembark via steps to the ground. There is only one flexible corridor and that is used for the one Jumbo that can be accommodated at any one time.

The airport itself is located towards Glenelg - an area of the city towards relatively close to the sea, and within the built up area of the city. This makes transport to and from the airport relatively convenient. Taxis are plentiful and not too expensive and there are busses as well that can be caught. There is also sufficient car parking space as well although a small fee (a dollar or two is needed).

The reception area of the airport is relatively spacious and when we were there it was not too crowded, although if several flights were arriving or departing at the same time it could become quite busy. There is a pleasant and reasonably spacious cafeteria.

The departures area is relatively small, and with the passengers waiting for the 747 flight out it became quite full, although not uncomfortably so. The area also contains a small cafeteria, and a duty free as well as the general seating.

The duty free is one of the cheapest I have seen. It is significantly cheaper than London Heathrow, and also Hong Kong. There are two duty free shops, one in the general reception area of the airport and one in departures. Items can be bought in the reception area, although they must be collected from the one in departures. Although relatively small when compared to London airports, all the main lines of spirits and perfumes can be bought. It is also possible to buy some of the local South Austra
lian wines - but naturally the vintage or "reserve" varieties, and at a price to match.

The staff were pleasant when we were there and there were no problems with using the airport. When the new terminal is built this will certainly give a significant improvement if more large aircraft are to be handled.

Summary: