Not all airports are created equally. Some are soulless clinical spaces with nothing but bright blue lighting and endless corridors. They are just functional buildings to start your next adventure. But others can make your vacation special from the start. The best airports in the world are beyond that. There is an indoor garden, a rooftop terrace with views of the runway, and even a playground that continues to occupy children with happiness.
According to SkyTrax, these added luxury and services have led to 100 airports landing 100 airports on SkyTrax World’s best airport list, with Singapore Changi at the top position in 2025. It’s not surprising that Asian airports are also the best governing country, but this year, four European airports have also made the top 10.
Since Skytrax, an aviation rank organization, launched its first airport customer satisfaction survey in 1999, travelers around the world have voted for their favorite airports. The rankings explain everything from public transport options and wait times to cleanliness, food and shop choices, and accessibility. In 2025, Singapore regained its title from Hamad International Airport in Doha, which won the No. 1 awards in 2024, 2022 and 2021.
These are SkyTrax’s top 10 airports in the world.
1. Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore
Singapore is famous for its vast and diverse food scene, which extends to the airport. When you’re in a huge terminal in Singapore, don’t miss out on Bikanerbara’s spicy Indian food and Jumbo Seafood’s Chili Crab So (Coconut jam) Copitiam toast. As for these amenities, Jewel Changi Complex features a glass-enclosed canopy bridge, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, and huge trampolines and slides.
If you have an overnight layover, check in at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, the best airport hotel in Pick last year. Those with long layovers that are not overnight can pay a day pass to the outdoor pool at Aerotel Airport Transit Hotel. It is located in Terminal 1 so you don’t need to go through customs to use it.
In addition to winning the No. 1 spot overall, Changi International won the SkyTrax Awards for Asia’s Best Airport, Best Airport Dining Experience and Best Airport Bathroom in the World.
2. Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar
To accommodate the surge in people who traveled to Doha for the FIFA World Cup in November and December 2022, Hamad International Airport expanded to increase its capacity to more than 58 million passengers a year, adding a second airport hotel and an indoor tropical garden called Orchard. If you’re traveling to Hamad, the hub of Qatar Airways, the world’s best airline, then check out the high-end designers keeping their stores at duty-free prices by Burberry, Gucci and Jimmy Chu. (Not surprising. I won the Best Airport Award for Shopping.) Various meal options include the God Cake from L’eto Caffe in Concourse C, and sandwiches from Harrods Tea Room in South Duty Free Zone. Above all, the airport has a paid fitness centre and spa as well as a pay-per-paid sleep pod for long layovers.
3. Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan
The main entry point for the Japanese capital is a favorite among passengers for many reasons. At this year’s Skytrax Awards, Haneda Airport was awarded the award for clean airports, best domestic airports and best accessibility for mobility passenger reduction. We love it for uneasy and stressful passengers who are sensitive to light, sound or crowds, in a “serene, cool down” isolated seating area, and for the numerous spa and massage chairs available throughout the three terminals.
4. Incheon International Airport, Seoul, Korea
Incheon says that not only has countless gardens for spas, relaxation, cinemas and ice skating rinks, but SkyTrax also has the best staff in the world. Young parents can successfully utilize numerous baby care and nursing rooms throughout the terminal, in addition to the infant’s rest zone and ample play area. Incheon also offers stroller rental services for families and travelers to explore and countless interactive art and culture exhibits.
The vast airport is the main aviation gateway in Seoul, South Korea’s vast modern capital, and at the end of 2024 it enveloped a long-standing expansion project that increased the airport’s capacity from 77 million to 106 million passengers per year.
5. Narita International Airport, Tokyo, Japan
According to passengers, Narita International Airport, Japan’s largest airport, has been named the fifth best aviation hub in the world. Narita has all sorts of interesting features, so it’s no wonder this airport is so impressive. Terminal 2 is home to a Japanese art gallery and exhibits at the traditional Kamadoshi Theatre in Terminal 1. This 9-hour capsule hotel in Terminal 2 is perfect for layovers or early morning flights. You can take a nap for about $10.50 for the first hour and about $3.50 for every additional hour (you can also book your first night for about $40).
6. Hong Kong International Airport
Back in the top ten of this year, there is a Hong Kong airport, and its immigration services were also the most voted in class. HKG is a favorite of easy access, with a 24-minute express train running between the central station, the city centre and the airport every 10 minutes. You can check in and drop your bags at the station, enjoy a few more hours in Hong Kong, or take the train to the airport. Nice amenities at HKG include a shower in the arrival hall (hair dryer, shampoo and soap are offered), a rooftop terrace and a futuristic look playground.
7. Paris Charles Degaard Airport, France
Whether you’re passing through the major airports in the French capital or sometimes called the Roissy (CDG), you can absorb a bit of Parisian culture, cuisine and world-class art. At Terminals 1 and 2, you can find a revolving exhibition by top museums such as Chantôte de Chantilly and the Rodin Museum, or head to the spa for massages and beauty treatments at Terminal 2E. The highest-ranking airport in Europe was also known as the best in Europe.
8. Rome Fiumicino Airport
With the year of Rome’s Jubilee, the city’s major airports are expected to see passengers increase this year from 50 million in 2024 (if not after the Pope’s death). FCO aims to expand even further. In March, a proposal was submitted to increase passenger capacity to 100 million and the addition of a fourth runway would increase. The airport is already very well connected to the city centre, with the 32-minute Leonardo Express coming and going every 15 minutes with the main station, Roma Tirnini. The airport has plenty of places to go for the last cappuccino and affordable wine. Also, if your bag hasn’t weighed yet with hard vacuum-adhesive cheese like Pecorino, you can pick up more at Eataly at Terminal T3 or stop by a duty-free shop for edible souvenirs such as pistachio cream or squid ink pasta.
9. Munich Airport, Germany
In addition to being ranked 9th in the world, the Hilton at Munich Airport was named Best Airport Hotel in 2025 between Terminals 1 and 2. I love the free relaxation lounge where you can recline into a bed surrounded by plants, and the Vipwing lounge (starting at $435). White sausage and dumplings.
The airport Christmas market begins in mid-November and continues into December, and continues to have a festive season even after departures. Walk through the decorated fir mini forest, enjoy live music and turn the ice skating rink.
10. Zurich Airport, Switzerland
The facilities and services throughout this Swiss hub are modern and reliable. There are plenty of restaurants, including Chalett Switzerland. Here you can get a fondue fix. For gourmet burgers. If you can afford it, adjacent to the airport there are shopping and dining areas with many upscale eateries, such as Sabrieruf Top Restaurant & Bar and Sushi Bar, as well as beauty treatments and redaraks for the chocolate you need (souvenir or airplane treatment). Also inside the terminal is a number of play areas, a beauty salon, dental centre, eye clinic and gym.
And the rest of the world’s top 20 airports. . .
11. Dubai International Airport, Dubai
12. Helsinki Airport, Finland
13. Vancouver International Airport, Canada
14. Istanbul Airport, Türkiye
15. Vienna International Airport, Austria
16. Melbourne Airport, Australia
17. phubuCentrair International Airport, Japan
18. Copenhagen Airport, Denmark
19. Schiphol, Amsterdam airport, Netherlands
20. Bahrain International Airport, Bahrain
Related: You can have a really good meal at the airport these days – these are our favorites
This article was originally published in 2022 and was recently updated on April 25th, 2025, with current information included. Sophie Friedman contributed to reporting this story.
