Top 5 best-rated airports in Europe according to Google

1. Istanbul Airport, Turkey: 4.4 stars, 110,254 reviews

With more than 110,000 reviews and an average Google Maps rating of 4.4, Istanbul Airport is once again the best rated airport in Europe. Passengers praise its sheer scale and modernity: spacious, spotless, light filled terminals and striking architecture, as well as smooth organisation, with automated gates, clear signage and a well planned layout that keep queues and confusion to a minimum.

2. Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport, Portugal: 4.4 stars, 33,878 reviews

Portugal’s Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport handles millions of travellers yet is repeatedly praised for its clear terminal layout and short waiting times. Self service check in desks and a fast track security lane keep things moving, and reviewers regularly single out how quickly staff process check in and security.

3. Helsinki Airport, Finland: 4.4 stars, 20,156 reviews

As the third best rated airport in Europe, Helsinki Airport is complimented for its calm, spacious and spotless interiors, with clear signage and an intuitive single terminal layout that hosts everything under one roof, from check in to arrivals. Reviewers also praise its efficiency, noting fast, easy security checks fitted with modern scanning equipment.

4. Athens International Airport, Greece: 4.3 stars, 53,883 reviews

Athens International Airport is highly regarded for its modern facilities and efficient operations. A key hub for both domestic and international travel, it’s praised for clear signage and a straightforward layout that makes navigation easy for seasoned travellers and tourists alike, along with spacious, clean terminals and a good selection of shops and restaurants.

5. Zurich Airport, Switzerland: 4.3 stars, 34,951 reviews

Zurich Airport rounds out the top five thanks to a combination of efficiency, cleanliness and passenger comforts. Reviewers consistently highlight easy transfers, short walking distances and fast security checks, and describe the airport as feeling “spotless”. Observation decks and a wide range of dining and shopping options are frequently mentioned as welcome extras.

Top 5 worst-rated airports in Europe according to Google

1. Heraklion International Airport, Greece: 2.6 stars, 28,458 reviews

With visitor numbers to Crete climbing year after year, Heraklion Airport is repeatedly described as “overcrowded” and too small for the crowds it handles each summer. Reviewers point to cramped, “basic” terminals, too few seats, patchy air conditioning and confusing signage, all of which feed the long queues at security and boarding that passengers call “chaotic”.

2. Brussels South Charleroi Airport, Belgium: 3.1 stars, 26,348 reviews

Brussels South Charleroi struggles to keep up with rising passenger numbers. Built to handle far fewer travellers than it now sees, it’s regularly criticised for congestion, long waits and understaffed security lines. One reviewer noted that “due to lack of staff at the security check, the airlines advise to arrive at least 3 hours prior to take off.”

3. Nantes Atlantique Airport, France: 3.2 stars, 10,544 reviews

Nantes Atlantique is frequently described as too small for its traffic. Reviewers flag cramped waiting areas and a shortage of seating, with some passengers sitting on the floor in busy departure areas, and in summer uncomfortable heat, along with slow moving security queues that can feel disorganised at peak times.

4. Pisa International Airport, Italy: 3.2 stars, 12,692 reviews

The main gateway to Tuscany, Pisa International Airport draws complaints about long queues at security and passport control, limited seating and cramped waiting areas during busy periods. Several reviewers note that the compact terminal can feel congested when multiple flights depart close together.

5. Bordeaux Airport, France: 3.2 stars, 20,214 reviews

Bordeaux Airport rounds out the five lowest rated airports in Europe, though its score has improved on last year. Its low cost “Billi” terminal draws the most criticism, with reviewers pointing to limited food and drink options, minimal seating and poor air conditioning, while busy periods can create bottlenecks at security and passport control.

What about the UK’s airports?

Liverpool John Lennon is the best rated airport in the UK, climbing eight places this year to a rating of 4.1, the only UK airport to score above 4.0. The compact, single terminal airport is regularly praised for being quick and easy to get through. Heathrow, Glasgow and Newcastle follow close behind on 4.0.

At the other end of the table, Manchester is once again the UK’s lowest rated airport, at 3.2, with travellers pointing to “dated” terminals and long waits at security, passport control and baggage reclaim. London Stansted (3.3) and East Midlands (3.4) also sit near the bottom.

Methodology

This ranking was created by collecting the average Google Maps review score and the number of reviews for the 100 busiest airports in Europe, based on passenger numbers. Using this Google Maps data, we then ranked each airport from highest-rated to lowest, prioritising those with the most reviews. All airports in Russia, Ukraine, and non-operating airports were excluded from this ranking. The data was collected in June 2025.