Does the thought of flying into a European airport make you nervous? In this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast, we tell you what is going to be different and what will not be different when you fly into a European airport when compared to an airport in the United States. 

1. The first thing you will notice about airports in Europe is that almost all of the major airports have airport hotels attached to them. While some US airports have on-site airport hotels, such as Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago, and Dallas, many airports do not. 
2. You will find much better transit and rail connections at European airports compared to the pathetic connections in the United States. With such good connections, there is less of a need for a rental car than in the United States. 
3. Rental car rates can be as unpredictable as they can be in the United States but in general, rates appear to be overall lower. 
4. In my experience, security people tend to be more friendly than TSA agents in the United States. In fact, in Switzerland, a majority of the ones I encountered were very friendly. 
5. Duty-Free shops are much more in your face than they are in the United States. In fact the majority of European airports, after going through security, you have to go through a duty-free shop to get to your gate, and in some airports, you have to walk through a duty-free shop after baggage claim. 
6. You will find more landside shops than in the United States. Landside is a pre-security screening, and at many airports, there are many shops on both sides of the security screening. 
7. You are more likely in Europe to have to board your plane by bus instead of directly on a jet bridge. 
8. European airports have places where you can store your baggage. 

What is similar: 

1. Border patrol agents are about the same as the United States. Don't expect them to be very friendly but efficient. 
2. Airports can be a nightmare in Europe as they are in the United States, although in general is better. 

Also to note: 

Each country does its own Air Traffic Control, which can lead to problems such as in France right now with the Air Traffic Controllers on strike causing many flyover flights to be canceled. I flew from Zurich to Paris and back and both flights were delayed but still flew most likely because they are on Air France. 

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