We know that travelling can be stressful but sometimes – just sometimes – airports get it right.
But just how right?
We wanted to find out the best airports that you can fly to from Dublin, so we checked out the Google reviews of every one of the 186 airports that you can get to (source; scheduled flights only), ranked them in order of their Google scores out of five and dug into the reviews to find out what’s what.
These are the seven to put on your bucket list.
7. Hamad International, Doha, Qatar (Google score 4.4)
Qatar’s capital has a relatively new airport, opened in 2014 with the country due to host the 2022 World Cup.
According to the reviews it’s clean, modern, attractive and staffed by some very friendly people.
The shopping is highly rated too, so if you’re a bargain hunter or if you have an itch to drop some serious cash, give yourself a bit of extra time in Doha.
Oh yes, and there's a $6.8m sculpture of a teddy bear with its head stuck in a lamp, designed by Swiss artist Urs Fischer. They do have a bit of cash in their back pockets, the Qataris.
6. Donegal, Ireland (Google score 4.4)
Donegal is the little airport that could.
There’s not much to it, but the stunning coastal scenery in Carrickfinn means that Donegal is regularly voted among the most beautiful airports in the world.
Add in some traditional rural hospitality and you have a truly Irish success story.
5. Dubai International, United Arab Emirates (Google score 4.4)
Clearly, the Gulf knows what it’s doing when it comes to airports.
Dubai is the world's busiest airport by international passenger traffic and generates huge amounts of money for the city’s economy – it represents around 27 per cent of Dubai's GDP and 21% of its employment. Just as well it’s doing well, then.
International travellers love the 24-hour shopping, cleanliness and well-organised infrastructure.
4. Hong Kong (Google score 4.4)
Hong Kong is one of the most spectacular airports in the world, built on reclaimed land in the South China Sea.
It also has one of the most enormous passenger terminals anywhere, and the reviews rave about its vast scale, stunning views and modern facilities.
3. Rzeszów, Poland (Google score 4.4)
It might be the most obscure airport on this list, but there have been direct flights from Dublin to this corner of south-east Poland for more than a decade.
It’s popular because of its small size, lack of crowds and friendly staff. The perfect regional airport, then.
2. Zürich, Switzerland (Google review 4.4)
The stereotypes come thick and fast in travellers’ reviews of Zürich airport – you won’t be surprised to hear that it works like clockwork. Or that there’s plenty of chocolate.
The integration with Switzerland’s famously punctual rail network is also a big plus. Just like the Swiss flag! (sorry)
1. Tallinn, Estonia (Google review 4.6)
And the best airport that you can fly to from Dublin is... Tallinn!
Travellers love how close the airport is to the centre of the Estonian capital, with handy public transport.
They also rave about the acitivities laid on for pasengers, including a kids’ playground, table tennis table and even a grand piano.
Music to our ears.
