Europe is home to many jaw-dropping airports when it comes to size and passenger numbers. A few places that come to mind straight away are Heathrow Airport, Istanbul Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle, which serve a ridiculous number of passengers every year. However, despite being the three busiest airports in Europe, none of the above are the continent’s oldest. That title belongs to Hamburg Airport in Germany.
Founded in January 1911, Hamburg Airport is believed to be one of the oldest international airports in the world still in operation. It was originally built by the Hamburger Luftschiffhallen GmbH (HLG) and used as a base for airship flights, including Zeppelin operations. Just two years later, fixed-wing aircraft were also introduced, and during both world wars, the site played a big role in German military aviation. Today, Hamburg Airport is one of Germany’s busiest air travel hubs.
In 2024, it welcomed nearly 15 million passengers and connected travellers to about 125 destinations through around 55 airlines.
These include major carriers such as Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, Emirates, and budget options like easyJet.
The airport is located just 10 kilometres (6 miles) from the centre of Hamburg and is known for its easy access.
Travellers can get there by suburban railway, car, taxi or regular bus services. The S1 train runs every 10 minutes from the city centre and takes about 25 minutes to reach the terminal.
Bus stops are located right outside, and a taxi to the city centre typically costs between €20 (£17) and €25 (£20).
After passengers pass through the central Airport Plaza security check, they can explore over 40 shops, restaurants, and a HEINEMANN Duty Free store.
The airport also has modern facilities, multiple car parks, and a dedicated Holiday Park area with 4,000 spaces and a free shuttle to the terminals.
What’s more, in 2025, Hamburg Airport was crowned the winner in the 10 to 25 million passenger category at the ACI EUROPE Best Airport Awards.
Experts praised the airport for its outstanding comfort, digital upgrades, and sustainability efforts.
The win follows years of investment aimed at improving the travel experience. The airport recently installed faster security scanners, modernised terminal areas, and committed to spending another €20 million (£17 million) by 2027 to boost comfort and safety.
It has also earned previous honours such as Best Regional Airport Europe at the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2021.
