Airport Hotels In Europe: Why Eastern Europe Offers The Best Value For Your Stay – Travel And Tour World

When the inevitable travel hiccups happen — missed connections, early departures, long layovers — shelling out for an airport hotel room is an unfortunate expense. But as travelers around the world seek convenience, relaxation, and value for their dollar, how much should they expect to pay for a room at some of Europe’s busiest airports? A new study carried out by HolidayCheck, scrutinising more than 135 hotels at Europe’s 30 busiest airports, finds airport stays are undergoing major changes. Historically no-nonsense, quite a few of these hotels have upped their comfort level. Regional price variation is noticeable, though, and Eastern Europe in particular is valuable, though some of the big European cities are very pricey and very disappointing.

Eastern Europe Shines for Value

For the budget-conscious traveler, Eastern Europe has the greatest selection of reasonably priced but quality airport hotels. Warsaw, Poland, is a standout performer, with an average 5.1-star rating and a great price of just €98 per night. Scores in Bucharest, Romania, and Budapest, Hungary, are also high, while prices are more reasonable. Bucharest provides 4.8 stars for €116 average, while Budapest proudly stands at a solid 5.2-star rating, with €108.

Alicante, Spain
One of the true treasures of the region is the city of Alicante. Not exactly Eastern Europe, but an amazing formula of guest satisfaction and value for money. With an average rating of 4.78 stars and on average $78 per night, Alicante’s airport hotels are the best place to stay for those mother-daughter shopping tourists at the airport hotels of all prices.

These results indicate that those willing to do some research for a highly-rated hotel at a low cost, Eastern Europe, and a variety of specific destinations in Spain are the way to go for value. Not as well-known as those in larger cities, these two airports offer a great alternative to affordable lodgings without skimping on the creature comforts.

First Class to Germany and N. Italy

At the opposite end of the scale, the premium airport hotel experience is dominated by Germany and Northern Italy, albeit at an elevated price point. Milan-Malpensa, one of Italy’s busiest airports, is one of the best in terms of quality, comfort, and all-around score, which is a whopping 5.55 stars on average, when rooms average at about €116. Another airport close to Milan, Bergamo, provides the same standard of high-quality accommodation for €130 per night (with a 5.47-star rating).

In Germany, Munich’s airport is the runaway winner, with 5.5 stars and an average room price of €228. The rooms on offer at Munich Airport are also far more spacious than what you’ll find in the average European hotel room, too, with an average size of 27m², hence the price point. Düsseldorf (5.3 stars, €165) and Frankfurt (5.05 stars, €135) also offer comfortable options, but Frankfurt’s offerings are a more evenly priced match for its German relatives in terms of quality. And though passengers pay a premium for comfort and elbow room in those two cities, the service and facilities are some of the best in Europe for those who prioritize ease and luxury of travel.

Major Cities Fall Short

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows in the world of airport hotel centers, however. In parts of Europe, including — in some cases — Rome, Dublin, and Barcelona, airport hotels can be less than appealing for several reasons. For instance, Rome prices are at the bottom of the ladder for €293 per night for a hotel that only has 4.17 stars. Likewise, both Dublin and Barcelona struggle to provide good value for money, with low rankings and poor room quality for guests.

If there’s a single biggest loser among the major cities, it’s Palma de Mallorca, with the smallest rooms on average at 14.2 square meters. It’s this space (or lack of it) and the relatively high price that see Palma as a less bang-for-your-buck option if you’re after comfort. These findings hammer home that it’s vital to do some intel before booking an airport hotel, particularly in bigger cities. Although the location is convenient, travelers may feel they’re not getting the value they expected for the price they paid.

Athens: An Expensive Exception

Athens is the priciest airport hotel, with one 5-star hotel being €433 per night. Though the hotel has a decent 5.4-star rating and spacious 28 square meter rooms, there is absolutely no way it could possibly be worth that price based on a European equivalent. And with that comes a high price tag, detailing how much prices can vary among European airport hotels. A night on the tiles in Athens costs roughly the same as 5.5 nights out on the tiles in Alicante, where revellers get similar guest satisfaction for a fraction of the price.

It’s a stark contrast between the airport hotel prices in both of these major cities, but it does show how the cost of stay for these hotels largely depends on local market conditions, as well as the extent of luxury you’re getting. Admittedly, Athens does have great accommodation, but it’s not likely you’d have the funds for it if you’re on a budget, and with many more inexpensive alternatives throughout Europe, there wouldn’t be any reason to.

A New Wave of Airport Hotels in Europe

Europe’s airport hotels are a far cry from their origins, as the study notes. At an average rating of 4.91 and rising standards all around, travelers can look forward to a comfier and nicer stay at what tend to be more off-the-beaten-path places. Eastern Europe is a clear winner when it comes to low-cost stays with high satisfaction rates, while the premium offering in Germany and Northern Italy leads the luxury ranking. But travelers should be wary of expensive and underwhelming options in major cities like Rome and Athens.

If you’re planning your 2025 holiday and beyond, anyway, this HolidayCheck research is a great resource for people looking for the perfect combination of comfort, convenience, and affordability. Whether you’re overnighting during a layover or an unexpected flight delay, the right airport hotel can make all the difference. For travelers who do their research based on ratings and price, they can find themselves a great place to rest their heads before continuing their journey onward.

As travelers around the world increasingly seek out high-quality but affordable airport accommodation, Europe’s hotels are providing more and more innovative spaces, enabling people to enjoy a perfectly pleasant place to rest, in even the world’s busiest airports.

(Source: HolidayCheck, European Airports, Tourism Industry Reports)