Best Airports in Europe 2017

2018 Survey – Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to do our annual airport survey this year as we were busy launching our newly designed web site. If you would like to participate in our 2019 Survey, click here

Date: October 15, 2017

In our annual survey, we asked travellers to rate airports in Europe based on their overall airport experience. They ranked their experience based on:

Comfort (Gate seating & availability of rest zones)
Services, facilities & things to do
Food options
Immigration/Security
Customer service
Cleanliness
Navigation and ease of transit
Sleepability

This year, the airports voted onto our list of Best Airports in Europe highlight a range in traveller preferences. We see some larger European travel hubs that continue to delight passengers with creative amenities and smooth processes. We’re also noticing an increase in the numbers and rankings of some smaller European airports. Places like Tallinn, Porto, and Dublin show that mastery of the basics is perhaps more important than anything else. All in all, we’re happy to see a bit of shuffling on this list – seems there is some real competition for who can claim and hang onto the title of Best Airport in Europe!

1. Helsinki Vantaa Airport, Finland (HEL)

I like it because it is clean and there is a little bit luxury in the air – survey respondent

After a few years trailing Munich and Amsterdam, Helsinki Vantaa Airport appears to have finally secured the title of Best Airport in Europe! The terminal is developing a reputation for being particularly calm, clean, and efficient. Multiple voters remarked on the speed of travel processes and the pleasant airport staff. The travel experience is further supported by a number of great amenities, including plenty of charging points, a few sleep pods, free Wi-Fi, and quick connections to the city. (Photo courtesy of mkenenske /Instagram)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • Free (and Paid) Sleep Pods ($) • Airport Tours ($) • Book Swap • 24-Hour Food Options • Luggage Storage ($) • Rest Zone • Showers ($) • Workstations. For more information, visit our Helsinki Airport Guide.

2. Munich International Airport, Germany (MUC)

Munich has been by far the most organized, most sleep-friendly place we’ve been to. It was never too busy at the terminal and we were able to find two unoccupied nap cabs and two showers. The cleanliness was impeccable and we were very impressed. – survey respondent

Most voters agree that Munich Airport is run with exceptional precision. As a major transit hub, travellers were delighted by thoughtful touches – like free coffee, sleep zones, and showers. However, it’s the efficiency that really dazzles people. One traveller suggested that 99% of the time, your luggage will beat you to the carousel. Others remarked on how painlessly they moved through security and immigration. While a few people mentioned they’d like to see a few cheaper restaurants, the overall cleanliness and ambiance all but makes up for the dent you might notice in your wallet.

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • Sleep Pods ($) • Airport Brewery ($) • Airport Tours ($) • Casino ($) • 24-Hour Food Options ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • Rest Zones • Showers ($) • Cinema • Mini-Golf ($). For more information, visit our Munich Airport Guide.

3. Tallinn International Airport, Estonia (TLL)

You wait as if in your own home or living room. – survey respondent

Of all the airports voted onto our list of Best Airports in Europe, Tallinn gathered – without a doubt – the biggest number of comments. Voters wrote in with praise for the world’s “coziest” (and perhaps most inventive) airport. It sounds as though TLL has put particular effort into surprising travellers lately – with locally-themed gates, children reading the airport announcements, and seating made from local fabrics. When the cafeteria is closed, travellers can offer donations and make their own sandwiches – a policy we’d love to see adopted in other airports. In general, the consensus among voters is that waiting here is very similar to waiting for a flight in your own home or living room. The only suggestion travellers had for the airport? They wished Tallinn Airport connected to more cities! (Photo courtesy of Tallinn Airport)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounge ($) • Free WiFi • Free Sleep Pods • Library • Luggage Storage ($) • Showers ($). For more information, visit our Tallinn Airport Guide.

4. Zurich Kloten International Airport, Switzerland (ZRH)

It offers an abundance of options while waiting for a connection and the staff is extremely friendly. – survey respondent

Once again, Zurich’s international airport gathers a lot of praise for being efficient, clean and easy to navigate. This year, the airport seemed to attract a number of overnighters, who were pleased by how quiet the airport is at night. Though most shops and food concessions close by 11pm, this allows for a few uninterrupted hours of shuteye on some terminal seats. The showers in the transit hotel make for a refreshing wake up. As in previous years, the basement grocery store continues to help travellers avoid the otherwise pricey airport restaurants. For those not spending the night, the free Wi-Fi and easy connections between the three terminals are important features. (Photo courtesy of timinhorocko / Instagram)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounge ($) • Free WiFi (2 hours) • Transit Hotel ($) • Airport Tours ($) • Bicycle, Inline Skates and Nordic Walking Pole Rentals ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • Showers ($). For more information, visit our Zurich Airport Guide.

5. Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport, Netherlands (AMS)

Much to do, cozy areas, there was a place with lots of couches, chairs and different kinds of “beds” to sleep on. – survey respondent

After years leading the pack of best airports in Europe, Amsterdam has continued to gather mixed reviews. Travellers still appreciate the array of sleeping options located airside, ranging from comfortable chairs, to couches and different kinds of make-shift beds – some of which are located in designated rest zones. There’s also a general appreciation for the different activities, like the museum, rooftop arcade and showers. The jury’s out on whether or not the terminal is easy to navigate. Some find the place to be extremely well signed, while others liken it to more of a labyrinth. There was also some criticism of the Wi-Fi, with a few voters noting it was difficult to connect to, and often slow. Schiphol is all the while in the midst of constructing a new terminal entirely (set to open in 2023), which we suspect could be a real game changer. (Photo courtesy of shunagashima / Instagram)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • Transit Hotel ($) • Casino ($) • 24-Hour Food Options ($) • Library • Luggage Storage ($) • Museum • Rest Zones • Showers ($) • Spa ($). For more information, visit our Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Guide.

6. Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Sweden (ARN)

There are plugs in order to charge your devices or work with a laptop almost everywhere! In Sky City they are in public view, and in all gates of T4 and T5 there are plugs available! – survey respondent

Stockholm Arlanda appears on our list of Best Airports in Europe this year, thanks to great customer service, a good number of charging points, and a few highly sleepable seats. The terminals become quiet overnight, upping your chances of a decent night’s sleep, though they also seem to get chilly (so bring a sweater!). Otherwise, amenities at the airport are quite standard, including 3 hours of free Wi-Fi, showers, and fitness facilities. The unique bonus? The airport offers marriage services – so you could tie the knot before your next flight! (Photo courtesy of pizzafish7 / Instagram)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi (3 hours) • Fitness Center ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • Showers ($). For more information, visit our Stockholm Arlanda Airport Guide.

7. Copenhagen Kastrup Airport, Denmark (CPH)

I’m in the Transfer Center as recommended on your site. You didn’t mention the trees!! very nice for a quiet break from the rest of the airport. – survey respondent

This year, Copenhagen Kastrup Airport gathered even more praise from those who passed through. Thanks to the large padded seats, often located near charging points, and the liberal use of indoor trees, travellers felt relaxed and at home in this light and airy terminal. Excellent customer service, generally speedy security processes, and the wide range of restaurants and shops are more positives mentioned in survey responses. Couple all this with reliably clean facilities, and you’ve got yourself another European favourite. (Photo courtesy of matpru5320 / Instagram)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • 24-Hour Food options ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • Spa ($). For more information, visit our Copenhagen Kastrup Airport Guide.

See also: Most Sleep-Friendly Airports

8. Dublin International Airport, Ireland (DUB)

Wonderful airport to sleep in. Plenty of other people also sleeping around so I felt safer by safety in numbers. – survey respondent

The reviews from this past year seem to suggest that Dublin’s airport is developing a bit of a sleep culture. Voters expressed the safety they felt when they discovered plenty of other overnighters at DUB. It sounds as though there are a few key benches that should be sought out early by those with a vision of sleeping – those who arrive later will likely be relegated to the floor. Non-sleepers had good things to say as well, remarking on the friendly staff, quick queues, and the good range of shops and restaurants. (Photo courtesy of kittysnap / Instagram)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Unlimited WiFi • Showers ($) • 24-Hour Food Options ($) • Luggage Storage ($). For more information, visit our Dublin Airport Guide.

9. Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, Portugal (OPO)

Although very small, has lots of place to sit and is organized in a way that you don’t have to walk a lot between the check in and the gates. Love it! Small is good! – survey respondent

For a few years running, small and simple Porto has been a fixture on our list of Best Airports in Europe. Though it lacks the decadence of other European standouts, travellers repeatedly appreciate its affordability, organization, and nice seating options. The free Wi-Fi, water dispensers, free showers, easy public transit to the city, and dimmed lights at night are some of OPO’s best qualities. The only thing that seems to need improvement is the availability of mobile charging points! (Photo courtesy of migueloliveira / Instagram)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Unlimited Free WiFi • Free Showers • Luggage Storage ($). For more information, visit our Porto Airport Guide.

See also: Most Sleep-Friendly Airports

10. Vienna International Airport, Austria (VIE)

It has a great layout, it’s not too large or small, perfect public transit connections, well working free wifi and great seating options.. – survey respondent

Travellers praise Vienna International Airport for its comfort, cleanliness, and organization. According to one traveller, the airport is “designed to provide comfort to passengers” – a sentiment echoed by other voters who praised the availability of comfortable chairs and couches. Other favourite qualities at VIE include friendly staff, good lounges, short wait times, quick Wi-Fi, and easy public transportation to the city centre. (Photo courtesy of Vienna Airport)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • 24-Hour Food Options ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • Showers ($) • Airport Tours ($) • Rest Zones. For more information, visit our Vienna Airport Guide.

Top 30 Best Airports in Europe

Helsinki Vantaa Airport, Finland (HEL)
Munich International Airport, Germany (MUC)
Tallinn International Airport, Estonia (TLL)
Zurich Kloten International Airport, Switzerland (ZRH)
Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport, Netherlands (AMS)
Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Sweden (ARN)
Copenhagen Kastrup Airport, Denmark (CPH)
Dublin International Airport, Ireland (DUB)
Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, Portugal (OPO)
Vienna International Airport, Austria (VIE)
Wroclaw Copernicus Airport, Poland (WRO)
Oslo Gardermoen Airport, Norway (OSL)
Brussels Zaventem Airport, Belgium (BRU)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport, Hungary (BUD)
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, Greece (ATH)
Warsaw Chopin Airport, Poland (WAW)
Alicante–Elche Airport, Spain (ALC)
Cork Airport, Ireland (ORK)
Glasgow International Airport, United Kingdom (GLA)
Málaga–Costa del Sol Airport, Spain (AGP)
Düsseldorf Airport, Germany (DUS)
Edinburgh Airport, United Kingdom (EDI)
Milan–Malpensa Airport, Italy (MXP)
Keflavík International Airport, Iceland (KEF)
Prague Václav Havel Airport, Czech Republic (PRG)
London Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom (LHR)
Barcelona–El Prat Airport, Spain (BCN)
Lisbon Portela Airport, Portugal (LIS)
Riga International Airport, Latvia (RIX)
Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport, France (LYS)

Top 10 Worst Airports in Europe

Heraklion International Airport, Greece (HER)
Rhodes International Airport, Greece (RHO)
Paris Beauvais–Tillé, France (BVA)
Santorini National Airport, Greece (JTR)
Cluj International Airport, Romania (CLJ)
Rome Ciampino International Airport, Italy (CIA)
London Luton Airport, United Kingdom (LTN)
Chania International Airport, Greece, Greece (CHQ)
Berlin Schönefeld Airport, Germany (SXF)
Berlin Tegel Airport, Germany (TXL)