Duty Free in Andorra

yorksrabbit

We're setting off to Port Leucate near Perpignan, driving down with stop overs en route. Andorra isn't that far from where we'll be but we've heard mixed reports about it as a destination.

What would swing it for us is the prospect of duty free shopping -- but we've no idea if 'duty free' is just that (i.e., a bargain) in Andorra. We're OK with the presumably limited amounts that can be taken back into France -- any saving is worth having -- but just where you actually get duty free in Andorra (is there a hypermart?) escapes us.

If anyone here has been to Andorra and knows about duty free shopping there, the info would be appreciated. Thanks!

skyelouise

the main capital of andorra is la vella.just walk along the main high street and you will come to a massive supermarket a couple of doors down from mc donalds.you wont miss it as they have stacks of cigarettes and booze outside.there are also plenty of electrical stores in the center.but i found prices to be cheaper online in the uk.cheap perfumes and aftershave can be had also.cigarettes are about £13 for 200 of a good brand.this is based on last years price sep 2008. when i went.customs at the french side are very relaxed .we were just waved through.going into spain from andorra god help you.can take upto 2 hours at peak periods.hope this helps

tiamaria

Not worth the journey IMHO. We didn't find things much cheaper there & unless you plan on skiing it's very boring! Cigs & booze maybe slightly cheaper, everything else was v expensive.

It's basically a high street with a supermarket.

apt

Just going for duty free isn't worth it, and the capitial isn't that interesting. But Andorra is a good venue for summer walking and, because it's the off-season, the hotels are fairly cheep.

furndire

and Customs are very keen on the way in and the way out -

yorksrabbit

Many thanks, everyone (and especially the detailed info from skyelouise.)

Looks like we'll give it a miss.

nellycat

Hi Yorksrabbit, I agree with the other comments - if you're going just for shopping it's a long way, however if you like walking the mountain scenery is stunning, and the Caldea spa in Andorra la Vella is really good - it's a sort of indoor swimming pool complex with Roman baths, sauna's etc and of course spa treatments. We live in the Languedoc and the past 2 times coming home from Andorra we've been stopped at the border.

However savings are to be had on French prices if you travel down to the Spanish border. Just a half hour from Perpignan, take the motorway over the border and you can stop at La Jonquera in Spain (in my opinion a horrible place but a cheap border town). Much nicer is to travel south on the N9 to Le Perthus, this is a lovely drive and a big shopping town on the border, with a 17th century fort overlooking it
Have fun anyway
Adele. France and Beyond

yorksrabbit

nellycat wrote: »

Hi Yorksrabbit, I agree with the other comments -
However savings are to be had on French prices if you travel down to the Spanish border. Just a half hour from Perpignan, take the motorway over the border and you can stop at La Jonquera in Spain (in my opinion a horrible place but a cheap border town). Much nicer is to travel south on the N9 to Le Perthus, this is a lovely drive and a big shopping town on the border, with a 17th century fort overlooking it
Have fun anyway
Adele. France and Beyond

Hi nellycat: muchas gracias! :T

That certainly sounds the most enticing option -- and, funnily enough, we are driving into Spain, an overnight stay in Barcelona: it's a city we've been meaning to visit for years but have never gotten around to, so having it on the Languedoc (or it is Rousillon??) doorstep is a bonus.

Time to re-check our route, methinks, to take in Le Perthus.

Many thanks again (and wow, aren't you the lucky one? Sounds to me like you're living in paradise!)

PolishBigSpender

furndire wrote: »

and Customs are very keen on the way in and the way out -

Andorran border 'control' couldn't care less what comes into Andorra. Going out is the question - again, Andorra isn't particularly bothered, but France/Spain are. I believe the Spanish are much more tough than the French, though.

There's also the fact that Andorra isn't part of the EU, so you're bound by the same 200 cigarettes/1 litre of alcohol rule.