Voted best airport in Europe for 3 years running, its prices are leaving travellers speechless
A latte for €8, a chicken meal for €53: if you have a layover in Istanbul this summer, you’d be wise to pack a few snacks in your carry-on. Because the Turkish airport, crowned best airport in Europe for the third consecutive year, conceals a reality behind its undeniable appeal that has passengers grinding their teeth.
Prices that have gone viral for all the wrong reasons
Even before its accolades come into the picture, Istanbul Airport has built quite a reputation on social media. Outlets as varied as the Mirror, the Corriere della Sera and the New York Post have all run pieces on it, branding it the most expensive hub in the world according to travellers. That’s no small claim.
The numbers speak for themselves. At Burger King, a Double Whopper meal is listed at €26. At takeaway kiosks, a bottle of Coca-Cola reaches €7. And for those simply hoping to grab a coffee before boarding, a large latte will set you back €8. As for the chicken meal at Popeyes, it climbs all the way to €53. Prices that turn a simple pit stop into an unexpected expense.
This paradox sits at the very heart of the experience lived by millions of transit passengers: a terminal recognised as the best in Europe, yet a bill that can catch even the most seasoned travellers off guard.
A 2026 ranking that confirms Istanbul’s dominance
The list is published by holiday rental platform Holidu, which compiles average ratings left by travellers on Google Maps. The methodology covers the 100 most-frequented airports in Europe. The result: Istanbul Airport holds on to first place, having already collected more than 110,000 reviews in 2026 and scoring 4.4 out of 5.
Behind it, Porto’s Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport in Portugal takes second place. Helsinki Airport in Finland rounds out the podium in third. Two hubs that illustrate the geographical diversity of Europe’s highest-rated air infrastructure.
The title of best airport in Europe comes as no surprise: Istanbul has held it uninterrupted since 2023. A consistency that speaks to genuine, widespread passenger satisfaction, despite the criticism over prices.
What travellers actually love about Istanbul
Opened in 2018, Istanbul Airport now welcomes 84 million passengers a year according to the latest available data. That volume makes it an unmissable hub for international air traffic, positioned at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
According to the Holidu study, travellers highlight several standout qualities. The building’s futuristic architecture makes an impression from the moment you arrive. The cleanliness of the spaces and the clarity of the signage make getting around easy, even during the shortest connections. The retail and dining offer is described as vast, with a huge range of shops and restaurants.
- Futuristic architecture noted by passengers
- Cleanliness and signage rated as exemplary
- Rest zones available for long layovers
- A museum located inside the airport
- A golf driving range for a different way to pass the time
For longer stopovers, the airport offers rest zones, a museum and even a golf driving range. Amenities that turn waiting into an experience in its own right, and that go a long way towards explaining why this hub remains the best airport in Europe in the eyes of the travellers surveyed.
What this means in practice for your next transit
The 2026 peak tourist season is in full swing, and millions of passengers will be transiting through Istanbul in the coming weeks. The Holidu ranking shines a light on a genuinely high-quality piece of infrastructure, but the flip side remains very real: the prices charged by the airport’s shops and eateries are a recurring source of complaint.
For a connecting passenger, the takeaway is straightforward. Making the most of the best airport in Europe’s facilities won’t cost you a thing, but eating or simply buying a drink can quickly weigh on your travel budget. Bringing a filled water bottle and a few snacks in your carry-on remains the simplest strategy for avoiding nasty surprises when faced with the prices on display at the kiosks and restaurants of this Istanbul hub.
