Best European Airports for Connections?

Amsterdam and Munich. The latter specializes in tight connections.

Linda, My suggestion would be Frankfurt. It's one of the busiest "hubs" in Europe, so there are lots of flight choices. I usually end up with connecting flights there at some point in my trip every year.

I think I would add Frankfurt to the list. It might be more difficult to connect since it is a bigger airport (2nd busiest on the continent) than Munich, but unless you are staying within Lufthansa, or at least the Star Alliance airlines, you will probably have to change terminals at either.

My best experiences were in Amsterdam Schiphol, the worst in London Heathrow and Paris De Gaulle.

I think Munich is the best of these three but Amsterdam is also a good airport. While lots of people hate Heathrow, I've transited there many times and have never had a problem. Twice, I've missed my connection but each time it was due to a delay leaving the U.S. rather than a problem on the LHR side. Each time I was put on the next flight and arrived just a few hours late. What I think makes the biggest difference at LHR is whether or not you have to change terminals.

Maybe a question is which ones to avoid. Paris would probably top my list because it is really a bunch of small airports linked together - or at least seems that way. HRow is next in part it is somewhat small with very high traffic. It can get to be a mess in a hurry. Next, might be Rome especially if arriving from the US. After that it is a toss up. Frankfurt is huge has a certain German efficiency about it. Amsterdam has always worked well for us. Milan is fine. No experience with Munich.

Thanks everyone for your input. It really helps. I think I will try to avoid Heathrow and to focus on Munich or Amsterdam. I also appreciate the info about staying with one airline (or alliance) to help increase the odds of being able to stay in one terminal. All of that might be well worth a few extra dollars on the ticket.

Of the 3 you mentioned, another vote for Munich.

I would try to avoid Heathrow. They have a reputation for luggage delays. When I connected recently, I flew BA so all flights were in the same terminal. There were still large distances to cover and pretty long security lines. When I've flown through Amsterdam, I haven't connected with flights within Europe, but I have found the terminal pretty easy to negotiate, with lots of moving walkways that help to get you from gate to gate more quickly.