* * Click HERE for 2016 * *
_______________________________________________________________
Read below for 2015:
The results are in! Sleeping in Airports has announced the results of their 2015 Worst Airports in the World survey.
In case you get depressed upon realizing you have a flight to one of these dismal airports, here are some ideas to you survive your layover.
Tip: you may need a transit visa to leave some of the airports listed - do your research before departing!
1. Port Harcourt International Airport (PHC)
New to the list in 2015 |
| It looks nice from this vantage point, but... creativecommons image sixoone on Flickr |
• "Most corrupt airport in the world"
• Unpleasant and unhelpful staff
• No seating, broken air conditioning, part of the terminal is a tent
Layover ideas:
• Read up on this area of Nigeria before you go
• Get out and stretch your legs if you can
• Travel with a suitcase or blanket you can sit on
Layover resources:
• Port Harcourt Airport Sleeping Guide
• Port Harcourt Airport transportation guide
2. Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED)
No change, this airport was in the #2 spot on the 2014 World's Worst Airports list too |
| Be ready to line up for hours, especially during the Haj creativecommons image ikhlasulamal on Flickr |
• Distracted immigration officers (when they are around) and multi-hour long queues
• Chaotic, crowded, unclean
• Smoking in non-smoking areas
Layover ideas:
• Souq al-Alawi is located in al-Balad (the old town)
• Naseef House museum has great evening views from the top floor
• Atallah Happy Land Park has rides, skating, bowling, theatres, dining, shopping
Layover resources:
• Jeddah Airport Sleeping Guide
• Jeddah Airport transportation guide
• How to Obtain a Saudi Arabian Transit Visa
• Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - I Am Bound Here
3. Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)
No change, this airport was in the #3 spot on the 2014 World's Worst Airports list too |
| Check to see if you can see this Buddha mural creativecommons image jaygalvin on Flickr |
• Disgusting washrooms (bring your own soap)
• No air-conditioning
• Said to resemble a bus terminal
Layover ideas:
• Check out the mural of Buddha's life in the Arrivals area
• Cultural Walking Tour with Nepalese Cooking Lesson
• Kathmandu Evening Tour by Rickshaw
• Do anything that will allow you to pee elsewhere!
Layover resources:
• Kathmandu Airport Sleeping Guide
• Kathmandu Airport transportation guide
• Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Kathmandu
• A Night in Kathmandu - National Geographic
• Kathmandu Layover
4. Tashkent International Airport (TAS)
Not much change, this airport was in the #5 spot on the 2014 World's Worst Airports list |
| Looks can be deceiving - the reviews aren't as nice as this bar! creativecommons image lindako on Flickr |
• "One of Dante's circles of hell"
• Horrific queuing, at multiple stages
• No crowd control - "chaotic, verging on aggressive"
Layover ideas:
• Chorsu (Eski Juva) is the oldest bazaar in Central Asia
• Tellya Sheikh Mosque is home to the world's oldest Koran
• Tashkent TV Tower offers great views of the city
• Tashkent things to do
Layover resources:
• Tashkent Airport Sleeping Guide
• Tashkent Airport transportation guide
• Tourist Visa to Uzbekistan
5. Caracas Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS)
New to the list in 2015 |
| Try not to let the crazy colours and patterns make you dizzy creativecommons image 117032936@N08 on Flickr |
• "Chaotic, uncomfortable and dull"
• No seating - the dirty floor is your only option
• Dirty bathrooms
Layover ideas:
• Cough up the money for private lounge access
• Take advantage of the free WiFi
• Go on a city tour
Layover resources:
• Caracas Airport Sleeping Guide
• Caracas Airport transportation guide
• Caracas layover ideas
6. Port au Prince International Airport (PAP)
New to the list in 2015 |
| It's hard to fault Haiti for its airport, it's had other priorities wikicommons image |
• Untrustworthy staff and aggressive porters
• Stifling heat and no seating
• Dirty bathrooms
Layover ideas:
• There's not a lot we can offer here
• Bring something to read and drink
• Keep your cool and admire Haiti's resilience
Layover resources:
• Port au Prince Airport Sleeping Guide
• Port au Prince Airport transportation guide
7. Kabul Hamid Karzai International Airport (KBL)
New to the list in 2015 |
| The old domestic terminal in Kabul wikicommons image |
• Lack of cleanliness in the Domestic Terminal
• Lack of accountability on the part of staff
• Lack of facilities
Layover ideas:
• If you have the choice, spend your layover at the International Terminal
• Read a book
• Surf the net - there is supposedly free WiFi
• There's not much else to do... just stay safe
Layover resources:
• Kabul Airport Sleeping Guide
• Kabul Airport transportation guide
• The elusive Kabul Taxi
8. Ho Chi Minh City International Airport (SGN)
New to the list in 2015 |
| Check out the old tank outside on your layover wikicommons image |
• Rampant corruption - expect passport delays if you don't go along with the bribes
• Dirty bathrooms
• Lack of food options
Layover ideas:
• Amuse yourself watching the bribes (while keeping your valuables hidden)
• Live Like A Saigonese: Overnight Homestay Experience in Ho Chi Minh City
• Take a city sightseeing tour
Layover resources:
• Ho Chi Minh City Airport Sleeping Guide
• Ho Chi Min City Airport transportation guide
• Layover Ideas & Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City
9. Islamabad Benazir Bhutto International Airport (ISB)
An improved position, after sitting in the #1 spot on the 2014 World's Worst Airports list |
| Don't expect to go anywhere fast from Islamabad Airport image source unknown |
• Crowding
• Pervasive corruption
• Still dirty, despite new lounge and bathrooms
Layover ideas:
• Lok Virsa Museum features 25+ large galleries
• Golra Railway Museum has locomotives and rolling stock
• Daman-e-Koh offers hiking, food, music and great city views
Layover resources:
• Islamabad Airport Sleeping Guide
• Islamabad Airport transportation guide
• Arriving in Islamabad - a taxi tour story
10. Paris Beauvais-Tille International Airport (BVA)
A bit of a change, this airport was in the #6 spot on the 2014 World's Worst Airports list |
| Tedium is the order of the day at Beauvais creativecommons image matteoc on Flickr |
• Absence of chairs and kindness
• Insufficient toilets, lack of sanitation
• Getting the password to the free WiFi!
Layover ideas:
• Visit Beauvais Cathedral to see the Gothic architecture
• Beauvais things to do
• Head into Paris and take an Eiffel Tower, Louvre or Hop On, Hop Off Bus tour
• Take @AirportSleeper's advice and fly into CDG or ORY instead!
Layover resources:
• Paris Beauvais Airport Sleeping Guide
• Paris Beauvais Airport transportation guide
• Layover Ideas & Stuff to do in Paris
• Beauvais-Paris - more than just a stopover, it's a destination
For more, check out the juicy sublists of 2015 Worst Airports for Africa, Asia, Caribbean & Central America, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America and the South Pacific. There's also a list of the Worst Airports for Sleeping!
Related resources:
