Major European airports make global connections easy and convenient. When it comes to business or leisure travel to Europe, airports abound. You may also take advantage of a European airport hub for travel to all parts of the world.

Your options for European travel include everything from a busy European airport on the list of largest airports in Europe to a smaller, travel-friendly hub. An airport in Europe doesn't necessarily mean Paris or London anymore, either; you'll find some of the most popular European airports in Eastern, Northern and Mediterranean countries linked to emerging markets and developing economies.

When planning travel to, from or through airports in Europe:

1. Look for popular European airports that get high marks from business travelers.

2. Adjust your plans to allow for longer waits at a busy European airport.

3. Choose a European airport that serves new economies and emerging markets.

4. Keep a list of airports in Europe at hand for flexible travel arrangements.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use the major European airports rated best by business travelers

Some major airports in Europe soar above the rest in traveler satisfaction surveys. Each of these European airports serves as a hub for international business and leisure travel.

I recommend: Munich's airport offers quick connections for both international and short-hop flights throughout Europe's business centers. Madrid's Barajas Airport, Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam and Switzerland's Zurich Airport also top the list of airports in Europe that take some of the stress out of European travel.

Plan carefully when using a busy European airport

Some of the most popular European airports, in terms of use and destination, are also the most crowded and frustrating for business travelers. Be sure to allow extra time for going through customs and making connections.

I recommend: London's Heathrow Airport is one of the busiest in the world. Paris's Charles de Gaulle Airport and the Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome, also on the list of largest airports in Europe, suffer from some of the same traffic problems. At Germany's Frankfurt Airport, be prepared for long lines at customs if you aren't carrying an EU passport.

Don't overlook European airports outside the main hubs

In these days of global finance and emerging markets, your European travel may take you anywhere from Manchester to Minsk. Look for an airport in Europe that's located where you need to be.

I recommend: The Athens Airport serves Greece, other Mediterranean countries and Eastern Europe. Turkey is part of Europe; Istanbul's Ataturk is a major European airport. Norway's Oslo Airport consistently ranks high in traveler satisfaction, and can serve as a hub for the Baltic states. In Ukraine, Kiev's Borispol Airport serves as a gateway to the rapidly developing economies of former Soviet nations.

Keep a list of airports in Europe at hand

Bookmark links to Internet directories of European airports on your PDA or laptop to make and adjust travel plans on the fly.

I recommend: World Travel Guide's Europe Airport Guides page lets you click on a map for a list of airports in Europe by country. You'll find European airport codes, vital for quick booking searches, at this site, too. InternationalAirportGuide.com provides links to most major European airports.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Internet links for most major airports in Europe offer English-language pages. If English doesn't come up when you link to an airport page, look for a menu bar language option: it may say 'English,' or feature a US or UK flag icon to click. For smaller airports, which don't always have English pages, you may need to link to your air carrier instead.