Worst airports in Europe

Carolinian · Jan 2, 2009

The In Your Pocket travel guidebook series is doing a survey among their readers on the worst airports in Europe. Among their editors the choices are 1) Heathrow, 2) Bucharest-Baneasa (the airport used by LCC's), and 3) Gdansk, Poland.

I agree hands down on Heathrow, an airport I simply avoid on connections. If I am flying to London, I look for a flight to Gatwick, a much nicer and more user friendly airport or to Luton or Stansted, and also avoid Heathrow.

I also agree on Baneasa, which even after a renovation has very inadequate airport facilities. It does have its pluses, however, such as being close to the city and with good public transportation availible into the city. I did not think Gdansk was that bad except that the public transportation from the airport into the city left something to be desired. I would add Beauvais, which some LCC's use for Paris, to the list of worst airports.

Carol C · Jan 3, 2009

I agree...Heathrow is the pits. I haven't been to the other two they mentioned.

As for adding to the list, I would have to say the so-called international airport in Tours France is pretty darn podunk. I flew an LCC there to get to Paris cheap from London and stupidly assumed I could get euros out of an ATM (wrong! No ATM!) No currency exchange window either. They did have a convenience store that of course only accepted euros or credit cards. Let's see, what else...they have a men's room and a women's room, thank goodness. So, I speak enough French to explain my situation and got the bus driver to give me a seat on the bus to town, and then he waited for me at Tours train station while I hit their ATM for euros. He was sweet and wouldn't accept the tip I offered. Moral of story: if flying to Tours, France from the UK, get some euros in advance so you can get public trans into town. In fact, when flying into any smaller "international" airport on the continent from the UK, I'd always arrive with euros in the future.

Carolinian · Jan 3, 2009

Carol C said:
I agree...Heathrow is the pits. I haven't been to the other two they mentioned.

As for adding to the list, I would have to say the so-called international airport in Tours France is pretty darn podunk. I flew an LCC there to get to Paris cheap from London and stupidly assumed I could get euros out of an ATM (wrong! No ATM!) No currency exchange window either. They did have a convenience store that of course only accepted euros or credit cards. Let's see, what else...they have a men's room and a women's room, thank goodness. So, I speak enough French to explain my situation and got the bus driver to give me a seat on the bus to town, and then he waited for me at Tours train station while I hit their ATM for euros. He was sweet and wouldn't accept the tip I offered. Moral of story: if flying to Tours, France from the UK, get some euros in advance so you can get public trans into town. In fact, when flying into any smaller "international" airport on the continent from the UK, I'd always arrive with euros in the future.

Flying into Pula, Croatia from the UK on an LCC a few years ago, I also found that there was no ATM or exchange office at the airport, and also no public transportation into the city. The taxi driver offered prices in several currencies, however, so it turned out not to be a problem that I did not have any kunas. I have found that frequently in eastern Europe, taxi drivers will take western currencies, and sometimes even prefer them.

I think I would definitely saw that the Gdansk airport was head and shoulders above Pula.

Carol C · Jan 3, 2009

I really want to go back to Croatia next time I go to Europe. Carolinian, would you suggest Pula as the "best" airport there to take a LCC out of London? I've flown out of Luton and Standsted before...getting used to the deal. Better yet, since I'm tired of London, is there an LCC that would fly to Croatia from Dublin? I miss Ireland, so an Ireland/Croatian combo would be perfect for me next time. TIA for your tips! :wave:

Carolinian · Jan 3, 2009

Carol C said:
I really want to go back to Croatia next time I go to Europe. Carolinian, would you suggest Pula as the "best" airport there to take a LCC out of London? I've flown out of Luton and Standsted before...getting used to the deal. Better yet, since I'm tired of London, is there an LCC that would fly to Croatia from Dublin? I miss Ireland, so an Ireland/Croatian combo would be perfect for me next time. TIA for your tips!

My last LCC trip to Croatia was last summer for a DAE exchange to an oceanfront resort just south of Split. I flew SkyEurope from Vienna to Split.

You can check which LCC's fly where in Europe with www.wegolo.com or www.whichbudget.com

Croatia is a great country, and I enjoyed both the Dalmatian coast and the Istrian peninsula, but those are probably too much to do in one trip. From Split a good day trip is to Mostar in Bosnia.

Split also has a much nicer airport than Pula, very modern with good services, and public bus service into the center of town.