World's Best The World’s Most Accessible Airports 2015 By Katrina Brown Hunt Katrina Brown Hunt Katrina Brown Hunt is a San Diego-based freelance writer and editor, specializing in budget-friendly travel and family excursion topics. Her witty advice has appeared in CNN Travel, Travel + Leisure, Time magazine, and Southern Living. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on August 19, 2015 Trending Videos Close this video player Of her three hometown airports, D.C. resident Katie Stanton prefers Reagan—for travel, and even for dinner. When she comes home from a business trip, the Social Media Director at travel-planning platform Exploring.is says she often picks up pizza from local favorite & Pizza, which has an outpost in Terminal C. She also enjoys the airport’s A-list people-watching (recently she saw Mitt Romney), but mostly, she loves how close it is to the heart of the city. “I can get from my downtown apartment to my gate within 30 minutes,” says Stanton. “I'll pay up to $100 more to go in and out of DCA, as opposed to Dulles or BWI.” She’s not the only one: the D.C. area’s smallest major airport is the favorite for many Travel + Leisure readers, who ranked airports around the world as part of the magazine’s World’s Best survey. One category in the survey focused on airport location and access—how close the hub is to the city center, and how user-friendly it feels. Among the top 20—which includes 10 international airports, and 10 in the U.S.—one winning airport has a golf course next door, while another makes it easy to visit a global icon during a short layover. Several winners also have an intangible quality that just makes travel feel easier. Jennifer Aquino likes international top-10 winner Zurich because “making connections is easy. It’s unlike Frankfurt, which feels unfriendly and depressing, in the way that it’s laid out, its low ceilings and the lack of light.” But Zurich offers an aesthetic pick-me-up, says the Singapore-based education and career coach. “It’s clean, bright and smart,” says Aquino. “I love passing by the shops and cafes after a long-haul flight. It’s a nice place to arrive, after feeling gross and groggy. Zurich is a pleasure.” 01 of 20 No. 10 Orlando International Airport (MCO), Orlando, FL © age fotostock / Alamy An airport that serves a high volume of over-stimulated kids and beleaguered parents deserves special credit for making anyone’s top 10. The airport’s hub-and-spoke design, combined with people movers, helps minimize walking (and whining), and the airport’s new app lets you track your flights or get directions within the airport. Your best bet for transfers is by way of your hotel: more than 50 hotels (about half being Disney-affiliated resorts) offer free rides to and from the airport. To make your transfer really short, you can always stay at the on-site and AAA four-diamond Hyatt Regency, which has porters who will go to baggage claim for you. 02 of 20 No. 9 Honolulu International Airport (HNL), Honolulu, HI © Kelly Headrick / Alamy The Hawaiian airport may not made the top 10 for having efficient mass transit, but readers did like that the hub is decked out in welcoming tropical foliage—and that it sits only three miles from downtown, and eight from Waikiki. Readers did say, however, that they look forward to completed renovations at HNL: The airport is undergoing a modernization program that includes wider runways, a new concourse and a compact car rental facility, scheduled to be done in 2017. In the meantime, your best on-site places to soak up local flavor are Samurai Sushi and Bento, near gates 24 and 25, or the Hawaii Market En Route, nears gates 12 and 13, where you can get bags of Kona coffee. For a time-efficient excursion, the USS Arizona Memorial, at Pearl Harbor, is just three miles away. 03 of 20 No. 8 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN Courtesy of Metropolitan Airports Commission Even if readers found this airport to be a bit sprawling, getting around inside it isn’t tough: light rail links the two terminals, and buses or trains can take you to either downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul. (In this physically fit city, there is also a bike trail leading to Terminal 2.) They've so minimized your need to schlep here that they’ve created a 1.4-mil walking path in Terminal 1, just so you can be sure to get some exercise during downtime. For more stationary layovers, the airport gets points for having 24-hour videogame arcades in both terminals (thoughtfully labeled as welcoming both kids and adults). And while the airport has its own mall—featuring local-goods store Uptown Minnesota—the big daddy of shopping, Mall of America, is less than 20 minutes away by light rail. 04 of 20 No. 7 Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), Salt Lake City UT Michael Schoenfeld/Courtesy of Salt Lake City Department of Airports Skiers love this airport, given that there are 11 resorts within an hour’s drive. And despite its active winter weather, the Utah hub tends to score very well for on-time performance, making it pleasantly reliable. If you’re just heading downtown, you can take a 15-minute cab ride or a 30-minute light-rail ride (the latter costing less than $3 one way). Like a lot of airports, SLC has an art collection, but you don’t have to hunt it down: many paintings hang next to the people-mover. For layovers, the airport offers Wingpointe, a seasonal 18-hole golf course right next door (just $44, if you get a cart), and free one-hour tours of Temple Square. 05 of 20 No. 6 San Diego International Airport (SAN) San Diego, CA Frank Rogozienski Photography/Courtesy of San Diego County Regional Airport Authority The sunny city is so nice to fly in and out of that even Charles Lindbergh—for whom the airport was first named—launched his first transatlantic flight nearby. Today, the airport sits right off the bay—complete with sailboats and cruise ships—and the descent into San Diego glides past the downtown skyscrapers. Once on the ground, you’re just a few blocks from downtown, Little Italy and the all-important I-5. Recent renovations have simplified the already compact airport, with separate arrival and departure zones to keep things moving smoothly. Terminal 2 may offer an edge for local dining and chilling, with a branch of beer-nerd-magnet Stone Brewing and the PGA Tour Grill, featuring murals on the Torrey Pines course. 06 of 20 No. 5 Tampa International Airport (TPA) Tampa, FL David Lawrence Even though this Florida airport keeps extending its network—it now gets as many international travelers as Orlando—readers found Tampa to be almost magically consistent. The average time it takes those international travelers to depart the plane, go through customs and baggage, and then get to the street is 26 minutes—and you’re only a half hour from Clearwater Beach. An expansion project, due to be completed in 2017, will add about 1.5 miles of people movers, lighten curbside congestion and add a car rental facility closer to the airport entrance. In the meantime, the best spot for a killing a little time over a local beer is Airside C’s Cigar City Brewing, which offers such beachy beers as a Patio Pils and a white ale called the Florida Cracker. 07 of 20 No. 4 Portland International Airport (PDX) Portland, Ore. Courtesy of Port of Portland Not many airports inspire affection the way PDX does: even its recently replaced green carpet has developed a fan following. But the Oregon hub also offers compellingly easy transfers, thanks to the city’s excellent mass transit—like the MAX red line, the light rail that takes you downtown in a little more than half an hour for just $2.50. Since Portland is so bike-friendly, PDX also has bicycle parking and bicycle repair stations. For the best local shopping and snacking, check out the airport branches of Elephants Delicatessen, Powell’s Books and Made in Oregon, where you can buy airport-carpet-inspired t-shirts and mugs. 08 of 20 No. 3 Dallas Love Field (DAL) Dallas, TX © dallaspaparazzo / Alamy The home base of keep-it-mellow Southwest Airlines has long charmed travelers with its easy-to-manage vibe: It’s just 20 minutes from downtown Dallas and a short hop to the main freeways. A recently completed renovation has made Love's fans swoon even more, with streamlined outdoor pick-ups and a new baggage claim hall that speeds up luggage retrieval. Plus, the recent repeal of a 1979 regulation has allowed airlines to offer more non-stop flights out of Love, which only widens its reach. For the best local-flavor refreshment before your flight, stop in at the airport’s branches of Jason’s Deli, wine bar Cru or Texans’ beloved Whataburger. 09 of 20 No. 2 McCarran International Airport (LAS) Las Vegas Courtesy of McCarran Int'l Airport Unlike some casinos, this international airport does a good job of keeping the crowds contained and moving efficiently, according to readers. Since it’s located just two miles from the Strip, you get a postcard-worthy view of the city while taking off or landing, and cab or shuttle rides to the main hotels often take less than 10 minutes. If you're just passing through, you can get a healthy dose of Vegas without ever leaving the airport, thanks to the slot machines scattered around the terminals. Despite the city’s sometimes-gritty rep, the airport got accolades from readers for seeming clean. 10 of 20 No. 1 Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) Washington, D.C. Courtesy of Washington Reagan Airport With the Washington Monument and the Capitol building often in clear view during takeoffs and landings, it’s no surprise that the airport that used to go by “National” took the top prize for location in the U.S. Offering only domestic flights, Reagan may just feel mellower compared to Dulles and BWI, but the more distant D.C. airports also can’t compete with Reagan’s proximity: From DCA you can typically get downtown in less than a half hour by cab, and you have easy access to the Metro’s blue and yellow lines. For some pleasant downtime, Reagan also channels the city’s museum scene, offering permanent and rotating exhibits, like an upcoming look at the Hubble Telescope. 11 of 20 No. 10 Cancun International Airport (CUN) © RealityStock / Alamy Despite its ever-growing traffic—17 million passengers and counting, thanks in part to the Riviera Maya—this Mexican hub still got big points from readers for being consistent. The airport itself is growing, too: While the third terminal is currently being expanded, a fourth terminal is in development, to be completed in 2016. The airport is only a 20- or 30-minute drive from the Hotel Zone, but many readers complained about the layers of unauthorized cabbies and shuttles wrangling for your business outside the terminal. To eliminate confusion, you can book your cab through the airport’s site. Despite the hubbub, the airport keeps its atmosphere light with strolling musicians; the best place to chill is the airport’s VIP Lounge in Terminal 3 Airside, with canapes, an open bar and massage chairs ($27 per person). 12 of 20 No. 9 Dublin Airport (DUB) © Peter Titmuss / Alamy Readers found this Irish airport manageably compact—and, for connections, a welcome alternative to Heathrow. If you're staying in the Irish capital, it’s only about six miles to the city center by cab. But if you’re just connecting here, the best layover diversion is The Loop, the shopping zone that is home to The Whiskey Collection, which offers 119 Irish labels; the airport’s Shop & Collect service, meanwhile, lets you stash your purchases at the airport until you come back through (and sends well-timed texts so that you won’t forget them). American readers also loved one big bureaucratic perk of flying through Dublin: you have to go through Customs here, then get to bypass the lines once you’re stateside. 13 of 20 No. 8 Vancouver International Airport (YVR) Getty Images/First Light The city of Vancouver has mastered the balance between natural and urbane beauty, and its international airport has done the same, according to readers. Located on Sea Island, this British Columbian airport sits less than 30 minutes from downtown, by way of the Canada Line trains. The airport stays green (and blue) thanks to its aquarium (with 5,000 marine residents); the 55-foot-high, plant-lined Green Wall; and Chester Johnson Park, which has walking trails, a waterfall and totem poles. Inside, efficiency rules: the automated BorderXpress kiosks have reportedly cut customs wait times by 89 percent. Vancouver also has the perk of one of the best airport hotels in the world: the AAA four-diamond Fairmont Vancouver, which is connected to the terminal and offer $18 day passes for the pool, sauna and gym. 14 of 20 No. 7 Sydney Airport (SYD) © Blaine Harrington III / Alamy The key to loving this wide-ranging airport, according to readers, may be in embracing its trains. You can take the Airport Link to go from the international to domestic terminals in two minutes (though you’ll pay about $4), or take the 13-minute ride into the city, with trains leaving every 10 minutes. If you have a long layover, it takes just a little over 20 minutes to reach the Circular Quay Station ($8.40 round trip), where you can check out the Opera House and the quaint streets of The Rocks. Sydney may up its ranking by next year: the airport is adding more self-serve check-in kiosks and more baggage carousels to accommodate the ever-increasing number of A380 aircraft. The best new on-site time-killer is the Oliver Brown Belgian Chocolate Café, located in the international terminal. 15 of 20 No. 6 Munich Airport (MUC) Courtesy of Munich Airport It’s technically named after a former prime minister—Strauss—but either way, this German airport makes getting in and out of the city a waltz. The two busy terminals are a short walk from each other, and trains into the city center leave every 12 minutes. Located between the two terminals, the Airport Center offers such diversions as family play area Kinderland and the oompah-laden brewpub Airbräu (where pints are just $3). Come during the holiday season and you’ll get a dose of Bavarian spirit without ever leaving the airport: its Winter Market features an outdoor ice rink and 50 holiday shopping stalls. 16 of 20 No. 5 Copenhagen Airport (CPH) © Alexander Maximov / Alamy This Denmark airport has won efficiency awards from the Air Transport Research Society for 10 out of the past 12 years, thanks to time-saving features like self-serve bag drops and sensors on the ceiling that track how long people have to wait in line (these days, it’s an average of 5 minutes at the security checkpoint, according to one recent report). Getting out is easy, too: Free shuttle buses can deliver you from one terminal to another, and it takes just 15 minutes on the metro to get to the city’s Nørreport Station. The airport even makes it easy to leave the country without boarding another flight: trains for Sweden leave the airport every 20 minutes. Readers also loved the soothing Scandinavian vibes of the airport’s hardwood floors. 17 of 20 No. 4 Zurich Airport (ZRH) Zurich Airport The Swiss airport may not be as big as some other European hubs, but that was a big reason readers love it: it feels easier to navigate for connections, and the airport also connects nicely to Swiss Federal Railways, which can take you to city center in 10 minutes. Readers also commended the Swiss airport for its mellow leisure pursuits: For layovers, you can use the multimedia binoculars found on the Observation Decks, or rent inline skates and bicycles (even kids’ bikes) to explore the airport’s nature reserves. By 2018, the airport will also feature The Circle, an 180,000-square-meter retail-and-culture area that will take the airport’s sleek aesthetics up another notch. 18 of 20 No. 3 Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) AFP/Getty Images Readers applauded this multi-faceted Dutch airport because it’s close to the city center (15 minutes by train), it has great onsite hotels (like the Sheraton and the soon-to-open Hilton) and it’s easy to get your bearings, thanks in part to the can’t-miss-it, red-and-white cube in Schiphol Plaza. The cube is also near the spot where you can catch trains and buses, or leave notes, displayed on a big screen, for anyone in your party. Depending on whether you need to wake up, smooth out or just make a life change, Schiphol offers the contrasting diversions of the free Rijksmuseum, a library, a casino and even wedding facilities (the Ready for Takeoff Package lets you exchange vows with a view of the runway). 19 of 20 No. 2 Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Courtesy of Hong Kong International Airport Readers loves this relatively new airport in part because it connects almost seamlessly to the city: you can take the 25-minute Airline Express Line to or from Hong Kong Station for about $13, and you can even check your bags at the station, literally lightening your load for the trip to the airport. At the airport, you can golf nine holes next door at the Sky City Nine Eagles Golf Course, shop for robes at Shanghai Tang or nosh on chocolates from the Peninsula Boutique. HKG also gets raves for its layover-friendly lounges, from the nicely outfitted pay-in clubs (with showers, buffets and massage chairs) to the five umber-plush Cathay Pacific lounges. 20 of 20 No. 1 Changi Airport (SIN), Singapore Changi Airport Group Readers were so enamored of this Singapore airport that many were wishing for more delays and longer layovers. After all, you can while away the hours sitting in the 24-hour movie theatre, lounging by the rooftop pool, wandering the butterfly garden or even whooshing down the four-story-high, indoor slide. When it’s time to leave, it takes at least 30 minutes to get to the city center by MRT trains, but it only costs $2 each way. There will be more to love of Changi in the years to come: a fourth terminal is under construction and plans for a much bigger fifth terminal are in the works. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit