It's No Secret This European Airport Is One Of The World's Most Hated By Travelers
"I've logged nearly 100 flights in my lifetime: 8 countries and at least 20 airports. FRT is easily the worst in terms of amenities and service..." one Yelp reviewer said about Frankfurt Airport. "In truth, I hated every second in this airport. It is by far the worst I have ever been in."
Although Skytrax certifies that Frankfurt Airport (FRT) is a four-star airport, its customer reviews tell a different story, ranking it at a mere three out of 10, with ratings for signage, food, wait times, and staff receiving only two stars. While it's not the busiest airport in the entire world, Frankfurt sees the most passengers of any in Germany and more cargo traffic than anywhere else in Europe. However, according to Airhelp's Global Airport Ranking, FRT ranked 175th out of the 194 major airports based on customer experience and performance data in 2023.
Yes, many airports frustrate customers who are fed up with long lines and TSA regulations, but there's a unique kind of fury and misery seen in reviews of Frankfurt Airport. While hated airports like Canada's Toronto Pearson, often considered the most stressful airport in North America, have common issues like constant delays, Frankfurt Airport sees a few other major areas of concern — like confusing signage and a rampant rodent infestation.
Frankfurt Airport can be confusing
Reviewers of Frankfurt Airport had a lot to complain about, from being shouted at and mocked by airport security and missing luggage to long delays and panicked dashes across the terminals to make connecting flights. But the most common complaint is probably that the layout and signage are just plain confusing. While any airport can seem confusing if you're a first-time flyer, Frankfurt has the ability to baffle even seasoned travelers.
Airline industry expert Brett Snyder described Frankfurt Airport as a maze on his blog "Cranky Flyer." They explained that even though there are only two main terminals to navigate at this German airline hub, the fact that they are connected to various other forms of transportation like trains and buses makes it "feel like a labyrinth." What's more, "there's even a supermarket down there," Snyder noted.
Confusing signage can also send unfortunate travelers on unnecessary journeys around the massive terminals. As airport expert Harriet Baskas told Frommer's, "I recently had a connecting flight in Frankfurt and as soon as I got off of my first flight began following signs that promised to lead me from one set of gates to another. After about 15 minutes of brisk walking ... I ended up right back where I started!"
There's an infestation issue
The most stressful airports in Europe have a lot of issues, but not many passengers have to deal with this particular one: a rodent infestation. One reviewer posting on the website Sleeping in Airports, which is dedicated to helping passengers find places to rest between flights, warned, "Mice scurrying around at every gate I tried to rest in! Very unsettling."
It's not just an issue in the rest areas around boarding gates. Repulsed travelers have also reported seeing mice in airport restaurants, too — along with mouse droppings. While cleaning regimens seem to have been stepped up and mouse traps have appeared all over the airport, reports of the mouse problem continue.
If shocked posts on social media are anything to go by, the rodent infestation has been going on for a while. Fortunately, Reddit user @appayeetyeettt has come up with a way to look on the bright side of this problem, writing, "I always pretend that those rats are my minions and i'm just a cinderella just to ease up my mind."