Top Airports in Europe When Cruising with Kids

Best European Gateways When Traveling with Children

May 11, 2009 Renee Ruggero

Families taking their children on a European cruise will appreciate airports with children’s facilities and other age-appropriate play areas. According to a survey conducted by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), London’s Heathrow Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport are the most family friendly international airports. Here is what to expect when flying through these two European gateways.

London Heathrow Airport (LHR), Most Family Friendly Airport

Heathrow is one of the world’s busiest airports, but it also has some of the best airport children’s facilities. Although the amount of walking and the crowds are overwhelming at London Heathrow, three of their terminals have children’s play areas to pass the time.

• At Terminal 3, parents can drop off their kids at the Jetterz Kids Club Lounge, located just past security. It is a fully supervised lounge for five- to 14-year-olds that is equipped with a TV, DVD player, books, toys, and computer games. The cost per child is 15 GBP for the first two hours (add 10 GBP for more than two hours). Airlines using this terminal for their departures are Air Canada and American Airlines.

• At Terminal 4, the KLM Holideck Lounge is a VIP experience for families willing to pay a higher fee (about 54 GBP for a family of four). Located next to Gates 15 and 16, it offers complimentary soft drinks and alcoholic beverages as well as munchies. There are interactive toys and games for pre-school children and Playstation2 games available for older kids. Airlines using this terminal for their departures are NWA, Delta, and Continental.

• Heathrow’s newest terminal, Terminal 5, is used mainly by passengers flying with British Airways. There are three soft play areas (complimentary) aimed at toddlers and children up to 7 years old. They are located at either end of the gate level as well as one at the satellite Terminal 5B, behind the British Airways customer services desk.

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), More Children's Play Areas

This international airport is the hub for Northwest Airlines in cooperation with KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) and a convenient choice when flying with children. Many cruise passengers will find themselves connecting here on their way to embark a ship in Rome, Barcelona, and other European ports of call.

• Young children will enjoy the play area located between Departure Lounge E and F. The playroom features climbing structures, Lego, and Nintendo computers. Next door to the playroom is a baby care center, complete with cribs and changing areas. A convenient McDonalds Restaurant is located on the top level by F Gates.

• For older kids, visit the Panorama Terrace. Located between Departures 1 and 2 on the third level, teenagers will enjoy the Astrojet flight simulator (US$2.50) and great views of the airfield.

For passengers with a layover of more than four hours, consider storing bags (or checking them in early). Trains connect each airport with the city’s downtown area, for convenient sightseeing.