Date: October 15, 2016
In our annual survey, we asked travellers to rate airports in Africa based on their overall airport experience. They ranked their experiences on these factors:
- Comfort (Rest Zones & Gate Seating)
- Services, Facilities & Things to do
- Food Options
- Immigration/Security
- Customer Service
- Cleanliness
The Best Airports in Africa are those that appear to have figured out how to offer travellers an efficient, clean and friendly travel experience. Though you won’t find a plethora of extravagant amenities here, you can expect these five terminals will offer reasonably comfortable chairs, clean floors and easy navigation. Coupled with basic services like internet, restaurants, lounges and a few shopping spots, it becomes easy enough to spend your time at these airports.
Here are the Top 5 Best Airports in Africa based on overall airport experience, as determined by voters in our 2016 Airport Survey.
1. Cape Town International Airport, South Africa (CPT)
It’s very clean and the employees are friendly – survey respondent
When reviewing the best airports in Africa, Cape Town International Airport is a long-standing fan favourite. Travellers are consistently happy with the terminals’ cleanliness and simplicity – and they’re pleased with the helpful and friendly staff. Amenities like 4 hours of free Wi-Fi, a few pay-to-use lounges, a small budget-friendly grocery store and a library are other welcome additions, not often seen in terminals across the continent. ( Photo Courtesy of faguisher / Instagram )
Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi (4 hours) • Showers ($) • Flybrary • Baggage Storage ($) • Prayer Room. Visit our Cape Town Airport Guide for more information.
2. Kigali International Airport, Rwanda (KGL)
Small but extraordinarily clean, quick services and no waste of time on paper work. – survey respondent
Kigali International Airport’s 2014 facelift continues to serve travellers well, boosting its continental ranking for Best Airports in Africa from last year. Passengers are pleased with how clean and modern the terminals are, and by how helpful staff can be. The airport itself is decently easy to navigate, and services like e-clearing can limit the time you spend in lineups. That said, the overall capacity of the airport for more passengers is limited, and a new national Rwandan airport is scheduled to start in June 2017. Hopefully, this new airport will include a few more entertainment options!
Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi. Visit our Kigali Airport Guide for more information.
3. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (Port Louis) International Airport, Mauritius (MRU)
The new terminal buildings are easy to navigate around and there is plenty of seating airside. – survey respondent
This “amazingly beautiful” airport pleases travellers with its solid customer service, good food, and a generally clean atmosphere. Though amenities and entertainment are a bit sparse, the indoor gardens make this a pleasant place to arrive and depart from – and apparently, the new custom officers’ uniforms make the whole place feel a bit more professional. As an airport with limited transit traffic, the easy-to-navigate terminals and variety of chairs makes Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport one of the best on the continent. ( Photo courtesy of carina_ioannou_photos / Instagram )
Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • Internet Workstations • Showers ($). Visit our Mauritius Airport Guide for more information.
4. Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport, South Africa (JNB)
It’s clean, secure, and the staff are friendly and helpful and food and shopping options are excellent – survey respondent
O.R. Tambo Airport appears to have lost a few points in the hearts of travellers this year. People still praise it for being clean, easy to navigate and full of good shopping and dining options. However, as one of Africa’s largest travel hubs, the long immigration queues and maintenance issues seem to be wearing on those who travel through. That said, Jo’burgs airport does go above and beyond in the amenity department. Here, you can find luggage storage, a supermarket, a dry cleaner, a barber, several pay-per-use lounges, and a ton of restaurants! ( Photo courtesy of jedbmiller / Instagram )
Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Transit Hotel ($) • Free WiFi (4 hours) • Showers ($) • Prayer Room. Visit our Johannesburg Airport Guide for more information.
5. Algiers Houari Boumediene International Airport, Algeria (ALG)
It is a spacious airport, clean and well organized. – survey respondent
This year, Algiers International Airport kept survey respondents satisfied by being reliably clean, spacious, comfortable and easy to navigate. Though some feel the facilities available could use “freshening”, there are enough shops, restaurants and lounges to keep the transit traveller entertained. Plus, there’s a great number of sleeper-friendly benches located throughout!
Airport Services/Facilities: WiFi ($). Visit our Algiers Airport Guide for more information.
Top 10 Best Airports in Africa
Below is a list of the Top 10 Best Airports in Africa as voted by travellers in our 2016 Airport Survey:
- Cape Town International Airport, South Africa (CPT)
- Kigali International Airport, Rwanda (KGL)
- Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (Port Louis) International Airport, Mauritius (MRU)
- Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport, South Africa (JNB)
- Algiers Houari Boumediene International Airport, Algeria (ALG)
- Durban King Shaka International Airport, South Africa (DUR)
- Rabat-Sale International Airport, Morocco (RBA)
- Oujda Angads International Airport, Morocco (OUD)
- Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Kenya (NBO)
- Cairo International Airport, Egypt (CAI)
Having read about the best airports in Africa, it now is likely fitting to continue on to the Worst Airports in Africa!