Date: October 15, 2013
The SleepingInAirports community has voted the following airports as the Best Airports in Europe.
When selecting an airport to declare as the “best”, travellers were asked to consider the four C’s: comfort, conveniences, cleanliness and customer service.
- Comfort: Armrest-free seating and quiet/rest/relaxation zones.
- Conveniences: Free WiFi, 24-hour food, showers, pay-in lounges, and activities to do on a layover.
- Cleanliness: Clean floors, bathrooms and food courts.
- Customer Service: A smile and friendly attitudes go a long way. We are so thankful for the kind airport workers who help us when we are lost and give us blankets and pillows when we’re stranded.
The airports in this region have increasingly become more transit…and sleep…friendly for the day time napper. The overnight sleeper in the public areas will never have glamourous accommodations, but sleeping in airports is very normal and tolerated here.
Here are the Top Ten Airports in Europe as selected by SleepingInAirports voters.
1. Amsterdam
There’s a place on the upper level between Departures 3 and 4 that is supposed to look like a forest. Apart from the nature sounds that go until about midnight, there are a lot of reclined chairs as well as these great leaf-shaped beanbag chairs that make amazing beds.” – Adam
Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport is popular for its facilities and comfort. The airport offers one hour Free WiFi and activities to keep you entertained, such as city tours, TV lounges, a movie theatre, museum, casino, library, spa and lounges that are accessible to economy travellers for a fee.
The zzz Factor: The airport offers a variety of comfortable couches, relaxation chairs and other seats. Before security (landside) airport sleepers do not have the luxury of loungers, but they still report good experiences. Showers and 24-hour food are available.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in Lounges ($) • Rest/Relaxation “snooze” zones • Showers ($) • 1 hour Free WiFi • Casino ($) • City Tours ($) • 24-hour Food ($) • Gym & Spa packages ($) • Library • Luggage Storage ($) • Museum • Prayer Rooms • Theatres ($) • Transit Hotels ($) • Hotel connected to the airport ($). Visit our Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Guide for more information.
2. Helsinki Vantaa
I am amazed! The airport is very clean and quiet, has Free WiFi and many places for charging your phone or computer or whatever you may need to use. There are benches all over the place” – sleeping around
Helsinki Vantaa offers travellers comfort and ease of transit. Services and amenities include: Free WiFi, a book swap, art gallery and exhibits, a spa, pay-in lounge, and airport tours. The airport recently opened a free Relaxation Zone, an area that features different styles of rest seats: chairs, pods and beds.
The zzz Factor: In addition to the airside Relaxation Zone, the airport has areas with reclining loungers and armrest-free seating. Showers are located in the lounges and food is available 24-hours. If you can’t find a way to sleep in this airport, there might be something wrong with you.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in lounges ($) • Free WiFi • 24-hour Food • Rest/Relaxation/Sleep zones • Airport tours ($) • Art Gallery and Exhibits throughout the airport • Book Swap • Luggage Storage ($) • Showers ($) • Spa ($) • Transit Hotel • Hotel connected to the airport. Visit our Helsinki Airport Guide for more information.
3. Munich
The Munich airport has plenty of seats without armrests and security watches over you.” – a traveller
At Munich Airport, travellers say they enjoy the facilities and easy transit. Services and amenities include: Mini-Golf, airport tours, a casino, spa, pay-in lounges and an airport brewery.
The zzz Factor: Munich offers travellers armrest-free seating and quiet rest areas with reclining seats. If you prefer more privacy (and don’t mind paying), there are sleep cabins near the rest area. Showers are available for a fee. Food is available 24-hours.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: pay-in lounges ($) • 30 minutes Free WiFi • hotel at the airport • brewery • airport tours ($) • 24 hour food ($) • games ($) • casino ($) • flight simulator ($) • luggage storage ($) • showers ($) • spa ($) • observation terrace • cinema • mini-golf ($) • airport brewery. Visit our Munich Airport Guide for more information.
4. Zurich
Sleeping on the seats was obviously not as comfortable as sleeping in a bed. But for seats, I had quite a good nights sleep. Travellers were stretched out on seats around me. It comforted me that I was not alone.” – Khai13
At Zurich Airport airport sleepers can be found snoozing away on the armrest-free seating. At night, lights are dimmed and it is quiet since the stores and food concessions shut down. Before or after your nap, you can enjoy an airport tour or keep fit with a bicycle rental.
The zzz Factor: If you are in transit and bench sleeping is not for you, the airport has rest zones and day rooms. Showers are available for a fee.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in Lounges ($) • 60 minutes Free WiFi • internet kiosks • sleep rooms ($) • Hotel connected to the terminal ($) • Airport Tours ($) • Bicycle, in-line skates and nordic pole rentals ($) • Rest Zones • Showers ($). Visit our Zurich Airport Guide for more information.
5. Frankfurt am Main
Most of the seating is the armless type so I was able to really stretch out and fall asleep. Overall it was pleasant, with the little nook being quiet and free from distractions.” – nasromolla
While Frankfurt Airport’s free WiFi is restricted to only 30 minutes, travellers can fill their spare time with an airport tour, concert, a visit to the casino, a pay-in lounge, or the Visitor’s Terrace.
The zzz Factor: The airport offers airport sleepers armrest-free seating and rest zones with reclining chairs. Food is available 24-hours and showers are available for a fee.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in Lounges ($) • 30 minutes free WiFi • Internet Kiosks • Hotel connected to the airport ($) • Airport Tours ($) • 24-hour Food ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • Mobile Charging • Prayer Rooms • Rest Zones + Showers ($) • Spa ($) • Casino ($) • Games • Concerts • Laundry ($). Visit our Frankfurt Airport Guide for more information.
6. Oslo Gardermoen
on arriving at the airport I went in search of the cushy red benches at the cafe in arrivals. I was lucky enough to get one and there was even an outlet underneath ensuring that I could charge my electronics all evening.” – katieicebaby
The zzz Factor: Airport sleepers awaiting their early morning flights say the departures level is comfortable. Food is available 24-hours.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in Lounge ($) • 2 hours free WiFi • Internet Kiosks • Hotel connected to the airport ($) • Luggage storage ($) • 24-hour Food ($). Visit our Oslo Gardermoen Airport Guide for more information.
7. Copenhagen Kastrup
Most chairs are with armrests on both sides, but there are some, that are without an armrest between them, so it’s possible to lay down on two chairs with a rucksack under head and sleep very comfortable!….one girl seemed to be experienced airport-sleeper, because she was wearing pajamas.” – Aleksey_S
The zzz Factor: You can curl up on seats without armrests, both before and after security.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • Rest Zones • Hotel connected to the airport ($) • Spa ($). Visit our Copenhagen Airport Guide for more information.
8. Prague
I went downstairs to a section of upholstered chairs and slept a couple hours. The airport seemed safe but I tied my backpack to my arm just in case.” – justweems
This year the airport introduced the Rest and Fun Center, which offers travellers private rooms and lounges for friends travelling together to watch movies and play video games (XBox). There is also a movie theatre and museum to keep people entertained.
The zzz Factor: For the airport sleeper, there are comfortable places to lay down, but many seats have armrests. Day rooms and a transit hotel are available if you want more comfort and don’t mind spending the money.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in Lounges ($) • Rest Areas • Day Rooms ($) • Hotel inside the terminal ($) • Free WiFi • Showers ($) • 24-hour Food ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • Movie Theatre • Museum • Prayer Room. Visit our Prague Airport Guide for more information.
9. Warsaw Chopin
The airport quietened down around 11pm (when everything also seemed to close – I’m not sure if anything was open after that, so don’t know how I would’ve faired if I had need for a midnight snack or something). It remained quiet until around 4am, when one of the cleaning staff (I think) started listening to some pretty awful music pretty loudly.” – katak
The zzz Factor: Seats don’t have armrests, but they are metallic. It can get cold at night, so be prepared.»
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in Lounges ($) • Free WiFi (30 minute time limit) • Prayer Rooms • Mobile Charging • Luggage Storage ($) • Shower. Visit our Warsaw Airport Guide for more information.
10. Athens
there are plenty of coffee shops that operate on a 24 hour basis, so the hours can pass quickly. One may lay down only outside the terminal at the departures area, at the very end near Entrance 1, where several benches are available.” – chrisak25
The Athens Airport offers one hour free WiFi, airport tours and a museum. Travellers like the transit times, cleanliness and food, but they wish there were more amenities and services.
The zzz Factor: Day sleepers can stretch out on armrest free seating if they can find an empty gate. The overnight sleeper here may experience problems. Reviews are mixed as to whether sleeping is allowed. Food is available 24-hours. Showers are available in the pay-in lounges.
Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-in Lounges ($) • 60 minutes free WiFi • Internet Kiosks • Airport Tours ($) • 24-hour Food ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • Museum • Showers ($). Visit our Athens Airport Guide for more information.
Have Your Say!
Your votes and feedback are essential to the SleepingInAirports annual Best and Worst Airports survey. Now it is your turn to tell us which airports deserve to be included on the 2014 list. There are a few ways to participate:
Survey: If you have a bit more time, leave some comments on the Airport Survey so that we know why you like this airport.
Polls: The easiest way to participate is to vote in the quick poll at the bottom of each regional page. Even if an airport is not listed, write it in the “Other box” and it will be included in the total count.
Airport Reviews: Your airport reviews are the most important contribution that you can provide to the community. Write an airport review.