Where Are the Best European Airports to Connect In?
London airports don't have the best reputation for connections. Heathrow (LHR) can be a confusing maze and given its size, especially if you have to change terminals to transfer to another flight (such as coming off one British Airways flight at Terminal 3 and on to another flight in Terminal 5) this can be an very inefficient process.
If you have the choice of multiple European airports to connect in, what are the best options? In no particular order, here are TPG's favorites:
Helsinki Airport
Helsinki may have the airport code (HEL) but the experience couldn't be further from it. Its small terminal size, easy navigation and quick security allows its biggest tenant, Oneworld airline Finnair to provide lightning quick connections as short as 35 minutes. Try that at the likes of Los Angeles (LAX) or Paris (CDG)!
There's also fantastic Oneworld lounge options if you have a little more time up your sleeve including their newly opened Platinum Wing for Finnair Plus Platinum and Platinum Lumo members, as well as Oneworld Emerald cardholders. This lounges features a la carte dining and, being Finland, also includes a sauna which "replicates the authentic Finnish smoke sauna experience, with a large cooling area and mood lighting to ensure a calming environment."
Vienna International Airport
While not as well known as nearby Star Alliance hubs like Frankfurt (FRA) and Zurich (ZRH), Vienna (VIE) is home to Austrian Airlines and has a number of long-haul destinations, especially to North America. It is well-staffed and well laid out, clean and has great Wi-Fi and like Helsinki, its design and efficiency allows for short connections. The airport recommends a minimum connecting time for Star Alliance flights of 25 minutes.
Vienna's airport also offers a very convenient rail connection into the city center. While not thought of an ideal connection airlines, both LEVEL and Wizz have built substantial bases at Vienna greatly increasing the destinations available from this airport.
Amsterdam Schipol Airport
London's Heathrow Airport has only two runways which is one of the reasons it is so slot constricted. Amsterdam (AMS) airport meanwhile, has six runways. This has allowed both flag carrier KLM as well as low cost easyJet to grow huge networks at the airport.
Yes the airport is huge, and yes you may be forced to book longer connections because of the amount of walking you may need to do but you might be surprised at how easy the connections are.
Some regional UK travelers give London a wide berth when it comes to connections, favoring the likes of Amsterdam (AMS) for an easier experience. That is one of the reasons KLM has built up such an impressive regional presence in the UK.
Zurich Kloten Airport
Like its famous watches, you might expect Swiss precision to result in an airport that works like, well, clockwork. Expect a very clean, organized experience with professional, helpful staff. Swiss has its largest base at this airport and has a range of fabulously comfortable lounges to while away any time that you might have up your sleeve between flights. There are plenty of healthy food options at the airport but remember that with Swiss prices, nothing will be very affordable.
For those travelers with longer layovers, Zurich Airport offers bicycle and in line skate rentals and excursions to the Swiss Museum of Transport Lucerne.
Munich Airport
Munich (MUC) is one of the busiest, bust consistently well-rated airports in Europe (if not the world). It is a major hub for German powerhouse Lufthansa, though is smaller than their primary hub in Frankfurt (FRA). This allows Lufthansa and other connecting airlines to offer short connections of as low as 45 minutes. Inside the airport there are some complimentary activities to keep you occupied should your connection take even less time than you expect with rest areas and sleeping pods available.
Lufthansa have been trialling 'Grab and Go' snack boxes for their eligible business class lounge passengers, catering for the fact that some passengers spend very little time connecting in such an efficient operation. So they may not book flights that provide for hours sitting around in a lounge eating and drinking, instead they can zip through transit security, grab a ready made snack box to go and head quickly onto their next flight.
If you're looking to spend some of your connection time outside the airport, Munich has a nearby visitors park featuring mini golf and displays of historic aircraft.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees