These are the best and worst European airports to get stuck in
Flight troubles got you down? Check out the best and worst-rated airports in Europe below.
Although the end of summer is marked by a massive influx of travellers returning from their holidays, the travel experience is not limited to the destination. The airport of departure and arrival plays a crucial role in the overall travelling experience.
To help travellers anticipate and plan their trips as effectively as possible, Holidu, the booking portal for holiday homes, has analysed data from Google Maps to draw up a ranking of the best and worst airports in Europe for the year 2025. Based on thousands of comments and ratings, the guide indicates which airports offer exceptional experiences, as well as those that could be improved. From the efficiency of the Nordic airports to the frequent delays at the central Mediterranean airports, this guide provides valuable information for travellers looking to optimise their transit time.
Scroll further down to see the tables for the best and worst-rated airports.
Top 5 best-rated airports in Europe according to Google
1. Istanbul Airport, Turkey – Avg. 4.4 stars, 106,543 reviews
With over 100,000 reviews and an average Google Maps rating of 4.4, Istanbul Airport is the best-rated airport in Europe. The airport has been praised for its modernity and size, with its spacious and clean terminals as well as its contemporary architectural design impressing visitors. Reviewers also frequently praise the organisation of the airport, highlighting its automated ticket barriers, clear signage, and well-planned layout that all help to reduce queues and confusion.
Mehrnaz Taghavishavazi via Unsplash
2. Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport, Portugal – Avg. 4.4 stars, 30,153 reviews
Portugal’s Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport, despite handling a large number of travellers, is often praised for its well-planned terminal layouts and short wait times. A new terminal building that opened in 2006, several self-service check-in counters, and a fast track security line all reduce wait times and ensure a smooth journey through the airport. The speed in which staff handle check-ins and security is also a stand-out factor for many passengers.
Maurice Pehle via Unsplash
3. Helsinki Airport, Helsinki, Finland – Avg. 4.4 stars, 17,728 reviews
As the third best-rated airport in Europe, Helsinki Airport in Finland is complimented for its spacious and tidy interiors, with clear signage and intuitive layouts helping to guide visitors. The airport is known for incorporating a user-friendly single-terminal operation, where one terminal hosts everything under one roof – from check-in to arrivals. Reviewers also commend the airport’s efficiency, noting fast and easy security checks fitted with “cutting-edge” scanning equipment.
Antti Yrjönen via WikiCommons
4. Athens International Airport, Athens, Greece – Avg. 4.3 stars, 49,201 reviews
Athens International Airport is highly regarded by passengers for its modern facilities and efficient operations. The airport, a key hub for both domestic and international travel, is praised for its signage and straightforward layout, which makes navigation easy for both seasoned travellers and tourists. The terminals are described as spacious and clean, with a good selection of shops and restaurants that cater to a wide range of tastes.
Ondrej Bocek via Unsplash
5. Zurich Airport, Switzerland – Avg. 4.3 stars, 30,632 reviews
Zurich Airport has earned its reputation as one of Europe’s top airports through a combination of efficiency, cleanliness, and exceptional passenger amenities. Reviewers consistently praise the airport for its easy transfers, short walking distances, and fast security checks. The facility is lauded for its high standards of cleanliness, with many noting that it feels “spotless” and well-maintained. The airport is also celebrated for its unique passenger-friendly features, such as observation decks and a wide range of dining and shopping options.
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Top 5 worst-rated airports in Europe according to Google
1. Heraklion International Airport, Greece – Avg. 2.6 stars, 25,293 reviews
With tourist numbers in Crete rising year after year, Heraklion Airport is often described as being “overcrowded” and too small to handle the increasing number of tourists. Many reviewers express a need for renovation, indicating that the terminals feel old and “basic”. Additionally, a lack of seating, fully-functional air conditioning, and good signage add to what passengers call the “chaotic” nature of the airport, with the small size of the “congested” terminals also leading to long queues for security and boarding.
Arno Senoner via Unsplash
2. Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, France – Avg. 3.0 stars, 16,582 reviews
Receiving a Google Maps rating of 3.0, Bordeaux-Mérignac is rated the second worst airport in Europe. This is likely due to its Billi terminal, which is currently under construction and therefore has reduced toilets, facilities, and space. Many complaints focus on its limited food and drink options, poor air conditioning, and minimal seating, which make for an uncomfortable wait. Some reviews highlight the poor cleanliness throughout the airport, with one reviewer, Jonny Tindal, writing “it looks like they haven’t cleaned the place in years”. Reviewers also note that the overcrowding of the airport often results in a “chaotic bottleneck” in security and passport control.
Anna gru via Unsplash
3. Brussels South Charleroi Airport, Brussels, Belgium – Avg. 3.1 stars, 23,202 reviews
Brussels South Charleroi Airport, like many of the other airports in this list, also struggles with managing rising passenger numbers. Originally designed to accommodate around 6 million passengers, the airport has faced record-breaking traveller numbers in recent years that have caused congestion and long wait times. According to some reviews, the airport is sometimes also understaffed, which can lead to long wait times in security. One Google Maps user, Tomáš Kouba, noted that “due to lack of staff at the security check, the airlines advise to arrive at least 3 hours prior to take off.”
4. Manchester Airport, Manchester, United Kingdom – Avg. 3.1 stars, 31,020 reviews
The worst-rated airport in the UK according to Google Maps user reviews is Manchester Airport, an airport that has struggled before with low ratings, having been rated the worst airport in the UK last year by a Which? poll of 7,000 participants. Many visitors to the airport complain about the “shabby” and “dated” terminals 1 & 3 and about the lack of general cleanliness throughout the airport. Reviews frequently mention long wait times and queues – from delays experienced in security that have caused passengers to miss flights, to long waits in passport control and baggage collection. Many reviewers also note the “grumpy” and “rude” attitudes of airport staff, especially when going through security.
5. Nantes Atlantique Airport, Nantes, France – Avg. 3.2 stars, 9,297 reviews
Nantes Atlantique Airport is frequently criticised in Google reviews for being a chaotic and old-fashioned facility. Reviews often describe the terminal as “unbearably hot” during the summer due to a lack of proper air conditioning. Passengers also complain about a severe shortage of seating, with many being forced to sit on the floor in cramped and crowded departure areas. The airport’s inefficient security procedures and confusing signage further contribute to a stressful experience, leading to long queues and a sense of disorganisation.
Nivenn Lanos hDXxy_3TY90 via Unsplash
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.