Ever wondered what the largest airports in Europe are? Worry no more, for we have crunched the number of visitors and provided the ultimate top ten.
Travel has been reduced to a near-minimum over the last two years, but with nations across the continent starting to re-open and welcome back visitors, airports will resume an important role.
And so, if you are struggling to choose your next city break and are trying to find the best type of luggage to take to Europe based on the airport or want to plan a summer holiday, a trip to Europe’s premier airports may be an extra touch to your experience.
Based on 2019 passenger traffic details, read on to discover the top hotspots for travel and the ten largest airports in Europe, ranked.
The World Bucket List’s top tips for visiting the largest airports in the world
- If you are heading to a big and busy airport, the best thing you can do is arrive early and in good time.
- Most airlines now have apps where you can check-in online and allows you to save a lot of time.
- Make sure you have all necessary travel documents – your passport, boarding pass, and any others, such as a visa if necessary.
- Check the airline guidelines for the size of carry-on luggage to avoid waiting at baggage claim or paying extra.
- Bring a book or have your phone fully charged for the waiting time to keep yourself occupied.
10. London-Gatwick Airport (London, UK) – one of two for the English capital
First on the list of our top ten largest airports in Europe is one of two entries for the English capital. This is perhaps a testament to the cities’ fundamental role in global travel.
By size, this airport ranks 7th, but when it comes to passengers, around 46 million people passed in and out of Gatwick in 2019, slightly higher than its 2017 figure of 45,561,694. You may well start at this airport during your European interrailing route, too.
Address: Horley, Gatwick RH6 0HP
Read: If London is your next stop, add some of these top hidden gems in London tourists never see
9. Munich Franz-Josef-Strauß-Airport (Munich, Germany) – welcome to Bavaria
This two-terminal airport, whilst not the largest in Germany, is a huge complex with a surface area of 15.6 sq km (6 sq miles) and comes in at 9th on the list of the largest airports in Europe.
Munich International jumped a few million in passenger traffic between 2017 and 2019, capping the latter off with 47,941,348 visitors that year.
Address: Nordallee 25, 85356 Munchen-Flughafen, Germany
8. Moscow-Sheremetyevo Airport (Moscow, Russia) – one of the largest airports in Europe
One of four airports serving the city of Moscow, this airport came into operation for civilian use in 1959. It is now one of the busiest across the continent.
It boasted just under 50 million visitors in 2019 with 49,438,545, pushing ahead of Munich and cementing Moscow’s place as one of Europe’s premier metropolises.
Address: Khimki, Moscow Oblast, Russia, 141400
7. Istanbul Airport (Istanbul, Turkey) – catering for the population and tourists alike
Istanbul is a city of over 15 million people and attracts between 5-15 million tourists per year. So, an airport that can cater to this demand is a requisite for the ancient city.
This is reflected in the size of Istanbul airport, which has a surface area of 76.6 sq km (30 sq miles) and whose passenger traffic in 2019 reached a staggering 52,578,008 people.
Address: Tayakadın, Terminal Cad No:1, 34283 Arnavutköy/İstanbul, Turkey
6. Barcelona Airport (Barcelona, Spain) – Camp Nou is calling
Barcelona Airport lies around 15 km (9 miles) outside the city itself and just misses out on a spot in the top five largest airports in Europe.
If you are for the Camp Nou or the La Sagrada Familia, here is your liaison, where you will pass through the same doors as 52,686,314 others.
Address: 08820 El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
5. Adolfo Suárez de Madrid-Barajas Airport (Madrid, Spain) – big by size and big in numbers
The Spanish capital can boast one of the top five largest airports in Europe, owing to its 61 million visitors in 2019, which was a jump of over seven million from 2017.
By physical size of airports, the Barajas Airport is the penultimate on the continent, falling only behind the Charles de Gaulle in Paris.
Address: Av de la Hispanidad, s/n, 28042 Madrid, Spain
Read: If you are travelling to Madrid and Spain, check out ten hidden gems in Spain you need to experience
4. Frankfurt am Main International Airport (Frankfurt, Germany) – a surprise on the list of the largest airports in Europe
This is perhaps a surprising inclusion on the list of the largest airports in Europe. While the airport is only 23 sq km (8.8 sq miles) in size, it welcomed 70 million visitors in 2019.
Frankfurt may be Germany’s fifth-largest city but has produced one of Europe’s top five airports. It has beaten the likes of Munich and Berlin.
Address: 60547, Frankfurt, Germany
3. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Amsterdam, Netherlands) – Holland’s main international airport
With an impressive passenger traffic of 71,707,144 in 2019, Amsterdam Airport is a titan of European airports. It is perhaps apt as a travel base for one of the titans of European cities.
It is only 9 km (5.6 miles) outside of the city, which is easily accessible from there onwards.
Address: Evert van de Beekstraat 202, 1118 CP Schiphol, Netherlands
2. Charles de Gaulle International Airport (Paris, France) – the Goliath of European airports
Matching the majesty of the city whose gates it opens, Charles de Gaulle of France is the Goliath of European airports and is the largest in size at 32.38 sq km (12.5 sq miles).
2017 figures recorded 69 million visitors, which jumped to an incredible 76,150,007 two years later in 2019.
Address: 95700 Roissy-en-France, France
1. Heathrow Airport (London, UK) – serving London and Europe
One of six airports serving London, the giant Heathrow Airport in the English capital takes the award out of the top ten largest airports in Europe.
Almost 81 million people passed in and out of Heathrow in 2019. This is a huge concentration of traffic that it is soon like to hit again as the pandemic eases worldwide.
Address: Longford TW6
NEXT: We reveal the world’s BEST airport of 2023
Your questions answered about the largest airports in Europe
If you still have some outstanding questions about this topic after reading the article, not to worry! We have you covered, for we have put together the most frequently asked questions to us and from online about the largest airports in Europe.
What is England’s busiest airport?
Heathrow is by a long stretch England’s busiest airport.
What are the top 3 busiest airports in the UK?
London Heathrow and London Gatwick, unsurprisingly, take the top two spots. Manchester Airport would be the third busiest.
What is the oldest airport in Europe?
The oldest airport in Europe is Hamburg Airport in Germany, which was established in 1911.
Which is the smallest airports in Europe?
The smallest airport in Europe is Barra Airport, located in Scotland.
