Dear Chanel, why did you stop stocking iconic bags at Heathrow? You heartbreaker! The most favorite store for every Chanel shopper is the Chanel boutique in London Heathrow airport at Terminal 3. More about this later on.Located in the United Kingdom, near London, the
Heathrow Airport is one of the most popular destinations to
shop for designer handbags. Why? Because our favorite brands are located at the tax-free area. So why not shop Chanel, Hermes, Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada at Heathrow airport.
| Guide To Heathrow Airport Overview |
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VAT free is better than VAT refund
Europe is already famous for shopping high fashion goods, because they’re cheaper than most of the countries due to the VAT refund policy. However, if you apply for VAT refund, you need to pay a fee to the company that helps you process the application. But if you buy directly at Heathrow airport, the VAT will not be included in the price and thus you don’t need to apply for tax-refund at all.
Price comparison Heathrow airport vs boutiques
To clarify what we mean by VAT free is better than a refund, we made a calculation between buying at Heathrow airport and at the boutiques.We took the current retail price of the Chanel Jumbo Classic Flap Bag, which is £4450 GBP (price as per June 2017). Then we create a calculation of Heathrow tax-free price and the price at the boutiques in the UK.
Price Heathrow airport| Retail Price | £4450 GBP |
| Airport Tax-free Prices | £3708 GBP |
Price UK boutiques with VAT-refund| Retail Price | £4450 GBP |
| VAT Refund | -£623 GBP |
| Retail Price – VAT Refund | £3827 GBP |
So the bag costs £3708 GBP at Heathrow and £3827 GBP after you get the VAT refund.
“Buying at Heathrow airport is less expensive”We took the Chanel bag as an example, but this is also an example for other designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Chloe, Hermes and so on. And it doesn’t matter what goods you buy, the prices at Heathrow airport for a brand-new items are cheaper than at the retail stores.
You can only buy VAT free if you leave the EU
Here’s the bad news, not everyone gets to buy VAT free at Heathrow airport. You get the VAT free prices only when you’re about to leave Europe to another country. So Heathrow must be your final destination.But how can they know?The SA will ask for your flight ticket when you are the cashier. If you’re qualified, they will offer you the goods without VAT and you can enjoy more discount.But if you’re not flying outside Europe, then the SA will give the same price as at the boutiques in London. So the prices will be with VAT. And of course, you can apply for VAT refund later on.
Airports have limited stock
Buying at airport is a great experience, but there is short supply of space and a lot of shops. The location is not cheap as well, so the stores can only carry limited stock. Usually, you will find a lot of small accessories like wallets, but the bags can be limited.Since 2013, Chanel has announced that they will stop selling iconic handbags at Heathrow. There are six types of iconic’s, which include the Chanel Classic Flap Bag, Chanel Reissue 2.55 Bag, and Chanel Classic Quilted Boy Bag. The WOCs, Mini Classic Bags as well as the Mini Reissue 2.55 Bags have all been spotted.
Shopping at Terminal 3
As you can see, there is lot of terminals. But if you’re looking for the crème de la crème, go to terminal 3 (T3). That’s where the boutiques are where you can find lot handbags.At terminal 3, make sure you get to level 1, the departure lounge. This entire section is Duty Free and there are numerous of boutiques, from Chanel, Gucci, Hermes, Louis Vuitton to Burberry and Mulberry.
T3 map: get to the departure lounge at level 1
T3 stores: after security
| Bulgari
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8757 1286 | Burberry
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8564 8125 |
| Cartier
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00 (in Harrods)
Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 6000 | Chanel
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8754 1000 |
| Gucci
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8759 9159 | Harrods
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 5290 |
| Hermes
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 0179 | Mulberry
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8897 8399 |
| M·A·C Cosmetics
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00 | Paul Smith
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8990 9402 |
| Salvatore Ferragamo
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 5290 | Smythson
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)208 745 0715 |
Shopping at Terminal 5
T5 is the next stop to go if you have the time. It has boutiques like Chanel, Chloe, Hermes, Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton. These stores are located at level 2. If you want to go to Harrods, go to level 3 (after check-in).
T5 map: get to level 2
T5 stores: after security
| Armani Collezioni
Opening hours: 05:20 -22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 5095 | Hugo Boss
Opening hours: 05:20 – 22:00 (in Harrods)
Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 5095 |
| Bottega Veneta
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 5260 | Burberry
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 8343 |
| Cartier
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 6072 | Chanel
Opening hours: 05.30 – 22.00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 7777 |
| Chloe
Opening hours: 05:20 -22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 5095 | Dior
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00 |
| Gucci
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 6333 | Harrods
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00 (B Gates)
Tel: +44 (0)7500 101 699 |
| Hermes
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 6084 | Longchamp
Opening hours: 05:20 – 22:00 (in Harrods)
Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 5095 |
| Louis Vuitton
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 6061 | Mulberry
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 6254 |
| Prada
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 6339 | Rolex
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8757 2115 |
| Saint Laurent
Opening hours: 05:20 – 22:00
+44 (0)20 8283 5095 | Stella McCartney
Opening hours: 05:20 -22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 5095 |
| Tods
Opening hours: 05:20 -22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 5095 | Valentino
Opening hours: 05:20 -22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 5095 |
Shopping at Terminal 2
The popular shops are located in Level 4.
T2 map: get to level 4
T2 stores: after security
| Bottega Veneta
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7535 | Bulgari
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7570 |
| Hugo Boss
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8564 8316 | Burberry
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8897 1167 |
| Gucci
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7790 | Harrods
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7756 |
| Kurt Geiger
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8564 8839 | Micheal Kors
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7762 |
| Mulberry
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7730 | Paul Smith
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8897 8447 |
| Rolex
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7516 | Smythson
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7577 |
| Ted Bakers
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 7590 | |
Shopping at Terminal 4
The popular shops are located in level 2.
T4 map: get to level 2
T4 stores: after security
| Hugo Boss
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8897 1431 | Bottega Veneta
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 5260 |
| Bulgari
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8897 2373 | Burberry
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8897 9151 |
| Cartier
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8283 6072 | Gucci
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8754 1475 |
| Harrods
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 0353 | Longchamp
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00 (in Harrods)
Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 6724 |
| Mulberry
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8897 7990 | Rolex
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 5145 |
| Saint Laurent
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8976 5280 | Valentino
Opening hours: 06:00 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8757 4043 |
| Versace
Opening hours: 05:30 – 22:00
Tel: +44 (0)20 8745 0353 | |
Travelling between terminals: travel time and transportation
From terminal 2 to terminal…
Terminal 3- You can walk via the pedestrian underpass
- Estimated travel time: 10 minutes
Terminal 4- Take the free shuttle trains; there is a train in every 15 minutes
- Estimated travel time: 20 minutes
Terminal 5- Take the express train; there is a train in every 15 minutes
- Estimated travel time: 20 minutes
From terminal 3 to terminal…
Terminal 2- You can walk via pedestrian underpass
- Estimated travel time: 10 minutes
Terminal 4- Free Take the free shuttle trains; there is a train in every 15 minutes
- Estimated travel time: 20 minutes
Terminal 5- Take the express train; there is a train in every 15 minutes
- Estimated travel time: 20 minutes
From terminal 4 to terminal…
Terminal 2 or 3- Free Take the free shuttle trains; there is a train in every 15 minutes
- Estimated travel time: 20 minutes
Terminal 5- Take bus number 482 or 490 from Bus Stop 7, the destination is Heathrow Terminal 5. The transportation is free.
- Estimated travel time: 20 minutes
From terminal 5 to terminal…
Terminal 2 or 3- Take the express train; there is a train in every 15 minutes
- Estimated travel time: 20 minutes
Terminal 4- Take bus number 482 or 490 from Bus Stop 7, the destination is Pools on the Park. The transportation is free.
- Estimated travel time: 20 minutes
Update: Since 2021, Shopping at Heathrow Airport is no longer tax-free
Hi,
travelling to London next week, and getting my wife the Medium Quilted Boy Bag.
Two questions:
1. Do they usually have this in stock at Heathrow T5?
2. Will you be able to purchase at tax-free price in the airport when flying to another EU-country? (I have one stop in Amsterdam before flying to Norway, Norway is NOT in the EU)
Hi Kris,
Let me try to answer your questions:
1. Chanel stopped selling iconic bags at Heathrow airport, one of the iconic bags includes the Medium Quilted Boy Bag, so this bag is not available there.
2. Any Chanel bags or accessories you purchase at Heathrow is tax-free, so this shouldn’t be a problem.
The Medium Quilted Boy Bag is available in other boutiques in London and also in Amsterdam, if they’re not sold-out. For both cities, you can apply for tax-refund if you’re a non-eu citizen.
Hi..! I will vitsit London next month and I will arrive at terminal 2. Would I be abel to shop at the Chanel store after I have arrived ? And how can I take me there?
What about Chanel classic mini flap? Do they have it in the store? Is it different price between the store at Heathrow and London? Thanks
Yes, you can even walk from terminal 2 to terminal 3. There are signs you can follow. They will have the mini flap and the mini square flap, the price at Heathrow is obvious cheaper.