Shopping in Arinsal
There are two main supermarkets in the village selling all your holiday essentials, plus a fairly decent selection of food if you're self catering. There is also a very good selection of shops selling ski/snowboard equipment and clothing. You will also find several shops at the top of the gondola (at the base of the slopes) so make sure you shop around and get a great deal!
Currency & Money
The currency of Andorra is the Euro. You can change money at most hotel receptions or sometimes with your holiday rep, as well as being able to take money out of cash machines in the village, and even up the mountain! Just watch out for the exchange rate at receptions though as they can be quite low! Unfortunately the bank in Arinsal has now closed down, meaning the closest bank is now in La Massana.
Andorra La Vella
For more extensive shopping opportunities you might want to pay a visit to Andorra la Vella, the capital city. If you want to go, there are a few options.
Firstly is public transport. Buses depart from the village along the main road, however when you get into the city it can be tricky as the bus drops you off
in a different place to where it picks you up to bring you back. Second option is a taxi. They work pretty much the same as anywhere else, and hotel receptions
will usually call one for you, or you can flag one down. Taxis cannot be booked in Andorra, therefore you just have to wait for it to come. Beware that the
taxi will start it's meter where it sets off from, and not where you get in! Thirdly, some tour operators offer a bus service into the city. You will probably
be picked up from your hotel and a rep will take you into the city, so it is excellent if it is your first time as you will have someone to point the way for
the best shopping!
Once you're there, you can expect to find a fantastic array of shops selling predominantly electrical goods, jewelry, perfume, alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco, all at duty free prices! Last year a sales tax was introduced of 4%, but prices are still fairly low. A top tip would be to do your homework before you go, however, to make sure that you are getting a bargain!
Buses to Andorra La Vella
The bus service to Andorra la Vella is operated by Cooperativa Interurbana Andorrana. It costs €2.75 each way from Arinsal to Andorra la Vella and it is Line 5. Tickets are single tickets and are bought on the bus. The bus stop in Arinsal is next to the gondola in the centre of the village. The bus stop to return is by the French post office (La Poste) in the centre of Andorra la Vella.
| Arinsal to Andorra la Vella | Andorra la Vella to Arinsal |
| 08:00 - 12:00 (Every Hour) | 07:30 - 11:30 (Every Hour) |
| 13:00 | |
| 13:45 - 20:45 (Every Hour) | 14:15 - 20:15 (Every Hour) |
Duty Free Allowances
Andorra has customs on both the French and Spanish borders with regular vehicle searches carried out. The main duty free allowances, as per the Andorran government in April 2010 are:
- Tobacco & Cigarettes - 300 cigarettes or 150 cigars (under 3g each) or 75 cigars (over 3g each)
or 400g of pipe tobacco - Alcohol - 1.5l of liquors over 22% or 3l of liquors or aperitifs under 22% or sparkling wine or 5l of table wine
- Perfume - 75g of perfume or 375 ml of eau de cologne
- Other - Up to a value of €900 per person or €450 if aged under 15
For more information please visit the official site of Andorra.
