Best Airports in Asia 2017

2018 Survey – Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to do our annual airport survey this year as we were busy launching our newly designed web site. If you would like to participate in our 2019 Survey, click here

Date: October 15, 2017

Comfort (Gate seating & availability of rest zones)

Services, facilities & things to do

Food options

Immigration/Security

Customer service

Cleanliness

Navigation and ease of transit

Sleepability

In our annual survey, we asked travellers to rate airports in Asia based on their overall airport experience. They ranked their experience based on:

Year after year, Asian airports set the bar for the best airports in the world. The terminals that show up on this list are exceptionally well-designed, taking into account a wide range of traveller needs and desires. Some of the best airports on this list go over the top with extravagant amenities, while others focus on providing a simple but no less exceptional airport experience. No matter where on the spectrum these airports fall, an arrival, departure, or layover at any of these spots is sure to be a memorable part of your trip!

1. Singapore Changi International Airport, Singapore (SIN)

I love this airport and don’t mind at all by spending a whole day here. – survey respondent

As with previous years, Singapore International Airport retains its status as Best Airport in Asia as well as the Best Airport in the World for Overall Experience. Travellers love this airport and are not shy about praising its many attributes. We received an extensive list of positive comments, covering just about everything you would want during an airport layover – and some that you hadn’t even thought of yet. In fact, most passengers with long layovers reported thoroughly enjoying their time in the airport, highlighting the amazing shopping and entertainment, comfortable seating, rest zones, easy navigation, beautiful gardens, swimming pool, sauna, transit tours, and so much more. Those who like to sleep in airports have no problem in SIN, as there are numerous sleeping lounges, quiet nooks, and reclining chaise lounge seating once you are airside.Towards the end of October, SIN’s new Terminal 4 is scheduled to open. And the new Changi Jewel – a 1.4 million square foot complex featuring gardens, a waterfall and hotel – should arrive in 2019. Ah, Singapore, how we wish there were more airports that understood and cared about air travellers needs like you do. (Photo courtesy of zoeftigseating / Instagram)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • Free City Tour • Free Movie Theatre • Napping Rooms ($) • Transit Hotel ($) • 24-Hour Food Options ($) • Swimming Pool ($) • Showers ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • Gardens • Rest Zones • Spa ($) • Cultural Activities • Free Transit Tour • Cultural Activities. For more information, visit our Singapore Changi Airport Guide.

See also: Best Airports for Overall Experience • Best Airports for a Layover • Most Sleep-Friendly Airports

2. Seoul Incheon International Airport, South Korea (ICN)

ICN is a spectacular airport. Even though I don’t speak a word of Korean, the airport was easily navigable, and everyone we met there was helpful. The food was wonderful and it was like we were in a sci-fi movie set. – survey respondent

Seoul Incheon Airport gathers nearly as much praise as Singapore Changi. Travellers appreciate the multitude of high-quality food options, the cleanliness of the terminals, the quiet ambiance, and the free showers. Activity-wise, this airport knows virtually no bounds. From the ice rink to the movie theatre, the cultural centre to the free city tours, you’re sure to find something that keeps you entertained. Wearier travellers may instead prefer to seek out a rest area featuring comfortable reclining chairs. The only major downside is that security queues can get long. (Photo courtesy of yeeseul.kim /Instagram)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • Transit Hotel ($) • 24-Hour Food Options ($) • Gardens • Cultural Activities • Luggage Storage ($) • Free Showers • Skating Rink ($) • Transit Tour ($) • Museum • Movie Theatre ($) • Rest Zones.For more information, visit our Seoul Incheon Airport Guide.

See also: Best Airports for Overall Experience • Best Airports for a Layover • Most Sleep-Friendly Airports

3. Tokyo Haneda International Airport, Japan (HND)

Amazing Service, customer friendly, clean – survey respondent

Year after year, Tokyo Haneda Airport pleases travellers with its customer service, cleanliness, and efficiency. This regional and global favourite is considerably more understated than other Asian airports. It is, however, appreciated all the same, showing that extravagance isn’t synonymous with excellence. For those looking for some shut-eye, there are a number of nicely padded, armrest-free benches and plenty of quiet corners. There is also a nice transit hotel and some showers that you can pay to use. Those with a bit more energy seem to gravitate towards the range of cultural attractions and activities. (Photo courtesy of ayk_isy /Instagram)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • Transit Hotel ($) • 24-Hour Food Options ($) • Showers ($) • Luggage Storage ($). For more information, visit our Tokyo Haneda Airport Guide. For more information, visit our Tokyo Haneda Airport Guide.

See also: Best Airports for Overall Experience • Best Airports for a Layover • Most Sleep-Friendly Airports

4. Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong (HKG)

The cleanest most child friendly airport ever!! – survey respondent

Hong Kong International Airport is another one of those opulent-but-still-manageable airports in Asia. Diverse facilities, including the country’s largest IMAX theatre and a number of pay-to-use lounges, are laid out in a logical and easy to navigate way. The huge food court provides a range of dining options for multiple budgets – and the free Wi-Fi is always a happy discovery. Airport staff are said to be reliably friendly, helpful, and bilingual, further simplifying your journey around the airport. (Photo courtesy of zoeftigseating / Instagram)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • 24-Hour Food Options ($) • IMAX Theatre ($) • Showers ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • Gardens • Rest Zones. For more information, visit our Hong Kong Airport Guide.

See also: Best Airports for Overall Experience • Best Airports for a Layover • Most Sleep-Friendly Airports

5. Tokyo Narita International Airport, Japan (NRT)

Very calm, efficient and easy to navigate. – survey respondent

Tokyo Narita Airport provides travellers with an airport experience that is reportedly simple, efficient, clean, and friendly. Frequently described as “peaceful” and “calm”, travellers love the art in the concourses, the charming shops, and the excellent dining options. There are a good amount of padded benches and couches, inspiring one traveller to say that their night at NRT “has been one of the more comfortable night stays in an airport”. Like the city’s other airport, Tokyo Haneda, this airport proves that you can delight travellers by ensuring an exceptional quality of basic amenities. (Photo courtesy of babo12131014 /Instagram)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • Day Rooms ($) • Showers ($) • 24-Hour Food Options ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • Cultural Activities. For more information, visit our Tokyo Narita Airport Guide.

See also: Best Airports for Overall Experience • Best Airports for a Layover • Most Sleep-Friendly Airports

6. Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan (TPE)

Easy vibe and helpful staff, many useful facilities – survey respondent

Walking between gates in Taipei Taoyuan Airport is, in and of itself, a bit of an activity. Each gate has a different theme showcasing various facets of Taiwanese culture, including related activities like calligraphy lessons. TPE also offers a number of traveller comforts, like showers, a library, and reclining chairs – all of which are enhanced by the clean and friendly environment. The airport experience is rounded off with fast and free Wi-Fi, making time spent here reliably comfortable, easy, and efficient. (Photo courtesy of kevinlulucas /Instagram)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • Free 15-minute Showers • Transit Hotel ($) • 24-Hour Food ($) • Cultural Activities • Library • Luggage Storage ($) • Museum • Rest Zones • Cultural Activities. For more information, visit our Taipei Taoyuan Airport Guide.

See also: Best Airports for a Layover • Most Sleep-Friendly Airports

7. New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, India (DEL)

The interior of this airport is very beautiful and a perfect blend of old and new traditions. – survey respondent

The interior design of New Delhi’s international terminal seems to secure its spot on our list of Best Airports in Asia. Terminal 3 earns particular praise for its modern and slick facilities, while still paying homage to local cultures and histories. Things like quiet announcements, plush carpets, clean bathrooms, and sleep-friendly areas combine to create a pleasant place to spend a few hours. The only areas that could be improved upon are the limited access to the free Wi-Fi, the time it takes to get through security, and the ease of transferring between the international and domestic terminals. Travellers should keep in mind that the airport doesn’t let people pass through security until 3 hours before their flight, making airside features inaccessible to those who arrive early. (Photo courtesy of honeylemonjun /Instagram)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • Napping Rooms ($) • 24-Hour Food Options ($) • Transit Hotel ($) • Showers ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • Spa ($). For more information, visit our New Delhi Airport Guide.

See also: Best Airports for a Layover • Most Sleep-Friendly Airports

8. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand (BKK)

Spacious and beautiful architecture, cheap varied food options, easy to navigate. – survey respondent

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is a new addition to this year’s top 10 list of the Best Airports in Asia. Clean, quiet, and modern, this terminal is well laid out, with boarding gates radiating off the central core. It has a good variety of services, including excellent Thai massages. Multiple voters mentioned that a particularly good place for sleeping is the observation floor. Used by travellers and staff alike, this area has a few good benches and ample, comfortable floor space – most importantly, it is quiet! This is particularly appreciated given that some voters noted a decline in chairs elsewhere throughout the terminal, and some noisy air conditioning machines. (Photo courtesy of ersanpamungkas /Instagram)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi (2 hours) • Transit Hotel ($) • 24-Hour Food Options ($) • Showers ($) • Luggage Storage ($). For more information, visit our Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Guide.

See also: Best Airports for a Layover • Most Sleep-Friendly Airports

9. Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, India (BOM)

It is definitely a beautiful airport with good facilities. – survey respondent

Spotless surroundings, spacious areas, and superb dining options continue to delight those who travel through Mumbai airport’s Terminal 2. The travel experience here is further enhanced by a number of pay-per-use lounges with nap rooms, nice architecture, and a variety of interesting activities, like a museum filled with modern and ancient artifacts. Couple this with some showers and sleep pods, and you’ve got yourself another excellent airport experience. Where you may run into trouble, however, is if you are connecting between the domestic and international terminals. Due to airport rules, keep in mind that you can pass through security only 3 hours before your flight, so airside features are inaccessible to early arrivals. (Photo courtesy of Mumbai Airport)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi • Transit Hotel ($) • 24-Hour Food Options ($) • Luggage Storage ($). For more information, visit our Mumbai Airport Guide.

See also: Most Sleep-Friendly Airports

10. Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia (KUL)

I like it because there is a sense of immense space around you. – survey respondent

Kuala Lumpur’s international airport hangs onto a controversial spot on our list of Best Airports in Asia – likely because you get an extremely different experience depending on whether you’re in the satellite terminal or KLIA2. The satellite terminal provides travellers with a clean, comfortable, and enjoyable experience, with thoughtful features like nap and shower facilities and an indoor rainforest. It seems to have a good range of affordable restaurants and shops. However, elsewhere in the airport, travellers complain about dirty bathrooms, erratic temperatures, and extremely limited amenities. All in all, it’s probably best to be prepared for anything when travelling to or through KUL – and with some luck, you’ll be pleasantly surprised! (Photo courtesy of ar_anuar/Instagram)

Airport Services/Facilities: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free WiFi (3 hours) • Napping Rooms ($) • Transit Hotel ($) • Gym ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • Free Movie Lounge • Rest Zones • Showers ($) • Spa. For more information, visit our Kuala Lumpur Airport Guide.

See also: Best Airports for a Layover • Most Sleep-Friendly Airports

Top 25 Best Airports in Asia

Singapore Changi International Airport, Singapore (SIN) Seoul Incheon International Airport, South Korea (ICN) Tokyo Haneda International Airport, Japan (HND) Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong (HKG) Tokyo Narita International Airport, Japan (NRT) Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan (TPE) Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand (BKK) Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, India (BOM) New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, India (DEL) Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia (KUL) Osaka Kansai International Airport, Japan (KIX) Iloilo International Airport, Philipphines (ILO) Mactan–Cebu International Airport, Philippines (CEB) Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, India (HYD) Bangalore Bengaluru International Airport, India (BLR) Cochin International Airport, India (COK) Davao Francisco Bangoy International Airport, Philippines (DVO) Karachi Jinnah International Airport, Pakistan (KHI) Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport, Pakistanm (LHE) Brunei International Airport, Brunei (BWN) Trivandrum International Airport, India, (TRV) Clark International Airport, Philippines (CRK) Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport, Indonesia (DPS) Jakarta Soekarno–Hatta International Airport, Indonesia (CGK) Kolkata Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, India (CCU)

Top 5 Worst Airports in Asia