The world's best airports
Off to a flyer

It's unlikely you're going to plan a trip around the best airports in the world, but it's still good to know where your destination sits on the scale. After analysing data around the dining options, airport parking costs, number of lounges, quality of hotels and distance from the urban centre, luggage storage company Stasher has ranked the world's aviation hubs to bring you this list of the best airports out there. Here's the top 30...
30. Vancouver International, Canada

Vancouver is often named as one of the most liveable cities in the world, and its airport, with glorious mountain and ocean views, makes it into Stasher's top 30 best airports in the world list. Vancouver International ranked well for its proximity to the city – the airport is just a 25-minute Skytrain ride from the downtown area – and the cost of parking, which can be as little as CA$15 (£9/$11) a day.
29. Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport, Spain

Another well-placed airport, Madrid's major international hub is incredibly close to the city centre. With Metro stations in two of its terminals, you can take Line 8 all the way to the centre of Spain's capital, arriving in just 12 minutes. The airport also scored highly for punctuality, with a 7 out of 10 for 'likelihood of on-time flights'. Needless to say, the efficiency of this airport is refreshing compared with many international hubs.
28. Jomo Kenyatta International, Kenya

27. Kuala Lumpur International, Malaysia

26. Christchurch International, New Zealand

With reasonably priced parking and close to the city centre, Christchurch international scored a total of almost 6 out of 10 on Stasher's ranking. But it's the airport hotels here that win the day. The high-end Sudima Hotel has its own outdoor pool, perfect for a pre-flight dip, and the playful budget option JUCY Snooze has simple rooms and funky public areas with hammocks and deckchairs for relaxing.
25. Don Mueang International, Thailand

24. Indira Gandhi International, India

23. Tenerife North, Canary Islands

One of the two major airports in Tenerife, Aeropuerto de Tenerife Norte is well placed for those heading for the capital, Santa Cruz – it's just a 10-minute drive from the city centre. The airport is also just a few miles from some spectacular beaches, and the Rural de Anaga Park, a precipitous mountain range with excellent hiking opportunities. Scoring well for airport hotels and reasonably priced parking, Tenerife North is one of the best airports in the world.
22. Jorge Newbery, Argentina

21. Chhatrapati Shivaji International, India

After a recent makeover, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai is now an excellent hub in the south's most popular city. Served by major airlines like Emirates, Air India and British Airways, it has striking architecture and design, and intriguing Indian artworks throughout. As the main airport for Bollywood's stars, there are plenty of good airport lounges, including an Amex Lounge and pay-per-use lounges. The highlight here is the airport parking though – it's incredibly cheap at just 1,000 rupees for 24 hours (around £11.50 or $14).
20. Mariscal Sucre International, Ecuador

19. OR Tambo International, South Africa

18. Brisbane Airport, Australia

Serving southeast Queensland, Brisbane Airport is lauded for its excellent on-site hotels. There's a 5-star, luxury Pullman Hotel with an outdoor pool and terrace, a 4-star Novotel and the ever reliable and affordable Ibis. The airport itself scores highly for affordable parking and its distance to Brisbane city centre (just over 10 miles), as well as excellent food and drink options. Plus, flights here are punctual, so no need to worry about delays.
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17. Helsinki Airport, Finland

Good airport hotels, punctuality and distance from the city are three of the top things that make Helsinki one of the world's best airports, but the comparatively reasonable parking (just £11.70 or $14.30 a day) is the highlight. Helsinki Airport is just a 40-minute train ride or 30-minute drive from the capital, and a variety of fast food chains are available throughout. The best foodie aspect, though, is Helsinki Market, which serves all local, healthy food cooked fresh daily.
16. King Shaka International, South Africa

15. Brasília–Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International, Brazil

14. Shanghai Hongqiao International, China

13. Singapore Changi, Singapore

12. Wellington International, New Zealand

11. Sangster International, Jamaica

Arriving into Sangster International is a great start for any vacation, as this airport sits at number 11 in the 30 best airports in the world ranking. In close proximity to Montego Bay, one of the country's most popular resorts, there's more to this airport than just the short journey to the seaside. Expect great food and drink, cheap airport parking and reliable punctuality. Not to mention, stunning coastal views upon take off and landing.
10. Hamad International, Qatar

9. El Dorado International, Colombia

8. Calgary International, Canada

Airport hotels are the top ranking feature here, with Delta, Marriott, Hilton and Radisson all within minutes of the terminals. There are good connections into town, with a 30-minute shuttle bus for just CA$8 (£5 or $6). There's also a good variety of food here, and planes are pretty punctual flying in and out of Calgary.
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7. Adelaide International, Australia

6. José María Córdova International, Colombia

5. Copenhagen Airport, Denmark

4. Suvarnabhumi, Thailand

The fourth best airport in the world can be found in Thailand and is the main hub for capital Bangkok. There's cheap parking, great reviews by Google users and excellent food and drink on offer, from Thai favourites to international chains. Shopping isn't great, but the lounges here are exceptional. Thai Airways and Singapore Air have two of the best lounges in the airport, with premium drinks on tap and luxurious, soft seating. The airport is quite a distance from the city centre, but its great amenities make it a pleasure to travel through regardless.
3. Piarco International, Trinidad & Tobago

For a tiny airport with just one terminal, it's a real achievement that Piarco International has made it to number three on this list. Stasher rates the airport's access to shops at a 10 out of 10, though it certainly doesn't have as many as Singapore's Changi or even Vancouver International. Parking here is reasonable, and the food and drink offering is also well rated.
2. London Heathrow, England

London's main international hub scores pretty low on a few fronts – distance from the city, the cost of parking and punctuality are all a way from the top of the scale. But the airport's lounges are what puts it in second place here, with the British Airways flagship lounge, plus SkyTeam, Oneworld and Star Alliance lounges. There are also pay-per-use lounges, too, where for as little as £15 per person ($18) you can enjoy a few little luxuries before you board.
1. Sheremetyevo Alexander S. Pushkin International, Russia

With exceptionally cheap airport parking and almost always on-time flights, Sheremetyevo Alexander S. Pushkin International – Moscow's main airport – is the best airport in the world according to Stasher's data. The Google reviews don't sing too many praises, and the shops and restaurant offerings are limited, but there are decent airport lounges and good hotels, making this the world's best aviation hub.
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