Europe's Best Airports Make Air Travel a Breeze
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As one of the most visited continents in the world, Europe can be quite chaotic when it comes to air travel. Many of its main airports like London Heathrow and Paris' Charles de Gaulle are crowded, disorganized and difficult to navigate.
But all is not lost! There are air hubs that have it figured out, earning high customer satisfaction scores and managing to keep most of their flights on time. Most are smaller, and many are in Germany (to no one's surprise).
These are the 10 best airports in Europe.
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10. Vienna International Airport — Vienna, Austria
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On-time performance: 7.7
Customer opinion: 8.1
AirHelp score: 7.84
With a reputation for being serious about timekeeping, Austria does not disappoint when it comes to its airports. Servicing the capital, Vienna International Airport receives good customer satisfaction and on-time performance scores. Interestingly, the airport was originally built to serve military planes during World War II.
Where to stay: Moxy Vienna Airport
*Note: Ranking is based on AirHelp's 2023 Global Airport Ranking.
9. Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez International Airport — Madrid, Spain
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On-time performance: 7.8
Customer opinion: 7.9
AirHelp score: 7.84
One of Europe's main air hubs, Madrid Barajas stands out from its competitors with good on-time performance. Don't be mistaken — this airport is huge, which can sometimes make it hard to navigate. But it will provide anything you want, from high-end shops to numerous food choices to prayer rooms and a chapel.
Where to stay: Clement Barajas
8. Vilnius International Airport — Vilnius, Lithuania
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On-time performance: 7.9
Customer opinion: 7.9
AirHelp score: 7.85
An underrated European capital, Vilnius boasts one of the most interesting airport facades on the continent. Built in the 1950s, the airport will transport you to the Soviet era, with sculptures of workers in between the arches of the exterior. And while Lithuania has long been independent, we're glad it's kept this unique structure rather than replacing it with a run-of-the-mill modern one.
Where to stay: Park Inn by Radisson Vilnius Airport
7. Dusseldorf International Airport — Dusseldorf, Germany
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On-time performance: 8
Customer opinion: 7.8
AirHelp score: 7.85
Known to be the fashion capital of Germany, Dusseldorf is a large, modern city that attracts business travelers and tourists who want to get out of the regular circuit. Its international airport is the fourth-largest in Germany. And if we are to believe customers, it runs a neat, tight ship.
Where to stay: Sheraton Dusseldorf Airport Hotel
6. Stuttgart Airport — Stuttgart, Germany
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On-time performance: 8.1
Customer opinion: 7.7
AirHelp score: 7.88
Though Stuttgart is known for car manufacturing, the city's aesthetic is far from industrial. Those who land at Stuttgart Airport find a picturesque historic core and countless urban green spaces. The city is one of the major air hubs in the country, particularly for business travel, as people come in for meetings with Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.
Where to stay: Mövenpick Hotel Stuttgart Airport
5. Dortmund Airport — Dortmund, Germany
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On-time performance: 8
Customer opinion: 7.8
AirHelp score: 7.89
This medium-sized German city once again proves how much Germans care about efficiency. While travelers don't typically visit this destination, those who do usually use a low-cost carrier, as major airlines forego direct routes to here in favor of flights to bigger airports.
Where to stay:Best Western Hotel Dortmund Airport
4. Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport — Tallin, Estonia
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On-time performance: 7.8
Customer opinion: 8.9
AirHelp score: 7.98
Like Vilnius, Tallinn is a Baltic capital that is often overlooked by travelers. But now's the time to visit this exciting European city that has yet to be overrun by tourists. Even the trip here will be a breeze, given that customers rate the airport with an impressive 8.9 score.
Where to stay: Mercure Tallinn
3. Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport — Gdansk, Poland
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On-time performance: 8
Customer opinion: 8
AirHelp score: 8
We'll be honest with you: If you want to visit Gdansk, it'll probably be cheaper to fly into Warsaw and then take a train. But if, for whatever reason, you decide to reach this coastal Polish city by air, you'll be very satisfied with how well-tuned and organized the airport is.
Where to stay:Hampton by Hilton Gdansk Airport
2. Helsinki Vantaa Airport — Helsinki, Finland
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On-time performance: 8
Customer opinion: 8
AirHelp score: 8.01
Helsinki Vantaa Airport is Finland's major airport and the point of entry into the country for almost all international tourists. The airport stands out by having most signage in seven languages, accommodating generously to tourists from all over the world. It is also the hub for the national airline, Finnair.
Where to stay: Hilton Helsinki Airport
1. Bilbao Airport — Bilbao, Spain
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On-time performance: 8.1
Customer opinion: 8.1
AirHelp score: 8.04
Coming in the 21st spot in the world, Bilbao Airport is Europe's highest-rated airport. Serving the modern cultural city in northern Spain, customers are satisfied by the airport's well-kept interior, on-time performance and cleanliness. Fly here if you don't want to deal with the overwhelming crowds of Madrid Barajas — after all, you can easily take a train or bus from here to anywhere else in Spain.
Where to stay:Hotel New Bilbao Airport