Finding beauty in the airport may sound more like a philosophical experiment than a realistic travel experience, but the most innovative terminals of today are prioritizing architecture and aesthetics as integral elements of their design.

Every year, the Prix Versailles architecture awards highlights the most beautiful new airport terminals around the world. Beyond just visual appearances, the prize also aims to recognize intelligent sustainability in airport design.

Modern airports “must resolve formidable difficulties in terms of flow management and the aircraft themselves,” Jérôme Gouadain, secretary general of the Prix Versailles, said in a statement. “This new brand of facilities can also be seen as works of art, or at least as things of beauty.”

The six airports that made the 2025 Prix Versailles list harness design elements that evoke the serenity of nature while incorporating innovations to limit carbon output. In December, three of the airports will be selected to win the even more prestigious Prix Versailles World Title.

Below are the six most architecturally stunning new airports of 2025.

China’s Yantai Penglai International Airport Terminal 2

Yantai’s seaside landscapes were the inspiration for the new terminal at the city’s international airport. The building’s large undulating roof was inspired by nearby Kunyu Mountain, and its interior curves and stone were designed to mimic the region’s scenic coastline.

Skylights are interspersed throughout the structure, designed to guide passengers to the departure gates. At the terminal’s apex, a glazed diagrid dome sits above a multi-story atrium, allowing natural light to filter down through the building. Abstract interpretations of wooden ships’ hulls are scattered throughout, a nod to the region’s Maritime Silk Road history. In order to minimize impact on the surrounding land, the building itself is laid out in an E-shape, which also helps to optimize passenger flow.

The 167,000-square-meter terminal building was designed by Aedas along with CSWADI and the Shanghai New Era Airport Design and Research Institute. Opened in June 2024, the new building has increased Yantai airport’s total capacity of 23 million passengers per year.

Get there: Although the airport is mainly utilized for international flights between China, Korea, and Japan, US travellers can find one-stop routes to Yantai from 11 major US airports with Korean Air.

France’s Marseille Provence Airport Terminal 1

Travellers arriving into Marseille, France (one of Condé Nast Traveller’s best places to go in 2025) will find the glamour of Provence now begins at the airport. A new building links the airport’s two existing Terminal 1 structures, which were constructed in the 1960s and 1990s. The link, which is called a coeur, or heart in English, is a window-lined hall with soaring, 72-foot ceilings featuring a grid of polished aluminum skylights to promote natural ventilation. The building itself is made of 70% recycled steel and adds 28,000 square metres of space to the airport.

A warm French timber canopy encloses the security area, while the terminal’s wood-clad shops and restaurants are a visual homage to the boat houses found in the Old Port of Marseille. Floor-to-ceiling windows grant sweeping views of Provence’s hills and Marseille’s lagoon for an added sense of calm. Foster + Partners, which designed the new building, had an overall goal of “reorganizing passenger flows through a set of simple, bright, and easy to navigate spaces.”

Get there: US fliers can travel to the airport on a one-stop itinerary with Air France from New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, San Francisco, Tampa, Austin, Boston, Cincinnati, Dallas, Raleigh, Washington DC, Denver, and Detroit.

Réunion Island’s Roland Garros Airport Arrivals Terminal

A paradise in the Indian Ocean, Réunion Island’s newest airport terminal harnesses the isle’s tropical nature and frequent trade winds to reduce its carbon footprint. Drawing inspiration from the island’s famous green canyons, the bioclimatic airport structure houses a central “canyon” that acts as a thermal chimney to enable natural ventilation. On the building’s exterior, 830 sets of louvered shutters are connected to a series of sensors on the facade. The shutters’ angles are adjusted in real time to respond to the island’s frequently changing weather conditions. This also creates a low-pressure system that extracts the interior air, according to AIA Life Designers, the architecture firm behind the project.

Inside the arrivals hall, travellers will get a taste of the island’s natural wonders as soon as they step off the plane, thanks to the extensive use of wood throughout the building, as well as lush native vegetation throughout.

Get there: Réunion Island is an official department of France, and US passengers can fly to Réunion on one-stop itineraries with Air France from 14 American gateway cities.

Japan’s Kansai International Airport Terminal 1

Adding a new building to Osaka’s Kansai Airport was no simple feat. Built by renowned architect Renzo Piano on an artificial island, the existing facility is known as a paragon of innovation and high taste. But the airport’s new Terminal 1 building managed to live up to that illustrious legacy.

The new interior spaces were designed with a palette of natural materials to give the space “a distinctly Japanese feel,” according to architecture firm Populous. The international departure lounge and retail area is now 60% larger with a commercial section that includes 13 stores and a street food court that features Japanese staples like ramen, udon, and plenty of sushi shops, as well as upscale chains like a Dior café. It’s hard to imagine better airport food than that!

Another addition is a new security area that has faster smart lanes, which can process up to 6,000 passengers per hour. “The new queuing management system is the first of its kind in Japan, automatically controlling flapper gates to switch waiting lines by utilizing real-time passenger flow data,” says Populous. “The system enables passengers to be automatically guided to the security inspection lanes based on the number of passengers and their flow.”

The project has increased the terminal’s annual passenger capacity by a significant 25%, and it opened just in time to accommodate millions of travellers visiting Osaka for the 2025 World Expo.

Get there: For American travellers looking to visit Osaka, United Airlines operates nonstop flights to Kansai International Airport from San Francisco, Japan Airlines flies a nonstop route from Los Angeles, and Hawaiian Airlines has nonstop flights from Honolulu.

Portland International Airport Main Terminal

Portland’s new terminal brings the beauty of the Pacific Northwest indoors by emulating Oregon’s lush forests. In fact, architecture firm ZGF said the terminal’s design concept was inspired by walks in the forest, with the goal of creating a similarly immersive and calming experience for passengers. The most distinctive feature is the building’s wave-like roof made of nine acres of local Oregon timber, sourced from landowners and mills within 300 miles of the airport, including community forests practicing sustainable forestry.

The terminal follows the concept of biophilia, or the tendency for humans to seek out nature. Main walkways throughout the terminal are filled with sunlight and greenery: There are 72 large trees inside the building that stretch up to 25 feet tall, as well as 5,000 other green plants sprouting throughout the space. The timber roof slats diffuse light in a similar manner as a forest canopy, and 60% of the terminal is bathed by natural light.

In the concessions hall, local purveyors like Blue Star Donuts + Coffee, Mo’s Seafood & Chowder, and Powell’s Books contribute to the strong sense of place. There’s even a microcinema showcasing short films by local filmmakers. The new terminal is designed to double the airport’s capacity and accommodate 35 million passengers a year by 2045.

Get there: Portland International Airport (PDX) is a hub for Alaska Airlines, and a focus city for other major US carriers like Delta, American, and United.

San Francisco International Airport Terminal 1

SFO’s newest building sports some impressive statistics, but they have nothing to do with passenger numbers. Rather, it’s the respectable size of the facility’s carbon footprint that is awe-inspiring. The recent in-depth renovation has shrunk the building’s carbon output by 79% and reduced its overall energy usage by 59%. Other impressive numbers include a waste diversion rate of over 90% and a 50% reduction in potable water use.

Efficient design elements such as fritted glass for glare reduction, photovoltaic panels fitted to the roof, and a low-carbon baggage handling system all added up to create major results. The architectural teams at Gensler and Kuth Ranieri even installed two plumbing systems to separate non-potable water to be used in flushing fixtures and for landscaping.

But amid all of these reductions, passengers don’t have to sacrifice any aspect of comfort. The terminal has spacious skylights throughout for doses of sunlight as well as creative design touches to highlight San Francisco’s unique arts and crafts style. The building is also home to the SFO museum, which is the world’s only accredited museum inside an airport.

Get there: Alaska Airlines is the largest domestic carrier operating out of SFO’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1. American Airlines, JetBlue, and Southwest Airlines also offer flights.

Discover 11 practical packing hacks to help you travel lighter and smarter. From making a packing list to using compression cubes and multi-purpose items, these tips will keep your luggage organised and your mind stress‑free.

There’s nothing quite like that last-minute rush before a trip, full of excited chaos, an unpacked suitcase, and the inevitable realisation you’ve forgotten something essential. There you are, desperately trying to squeeze everything in, your enthusiasm quickly turning into a stressful nightmare. All the while, you’re silently wishing the suitcase zip would close without a struggle and hoping to avoid paying that dreaded extra baggage fee. But packing smartly can solve all these issues. You can travel lighter, smarter and with far less stress.

These 11 practical tips will help you carry your luggage effortlessly and stay organized even under pressure:

1. Make a Packing List and Stick to It

Before you even unzip your suitcase, take a moment to create a clear list of what you truly need. It might seem obvious, but it helps you stay organised and stops you from adding those tempting “just in case” items that only add unnecessary weight. A well-thought-out list keeps packing purposeful and efficient.

2. Try to Pack Less

We often pack far more than we actually use on holiday. Lay everything out on your bed, then challenge yourself to remove at least a third. Focus on versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched, and leave anything that feels like an extra rather than a necessity. Travelling light starts with ruthless editing.

3. Vault Your Valuables in Accessories

Jewellery, cables, and small tech can easily get tangled or lost in the shuffle. Use pill boxes to separate earrings, or even slip chargers into a sturdy sunglasses case. This keeps your valuables protected, tidy, and easy to find when you need them.

4. Vacuum Bags or Compression Cubes

Bulky jumpers and coats can dominate your luggage. Using vacuum-seal bags or compression cubes reduces their volume dramatically—sometimes by as much as 80%. You’ll find it far easier to keep your suitcase organised, and you’ll have room left over for souvenirs or last-minute additions.

5. Wear the Bulky Stuff

Rather than cramming boots, coats and chunky knits into your bag, simply wear them during travel. You’ll save space and avoid exceeding baggage limits, while also keeping yourself warm and comfortable on the plane.

6. Downsize Toiletries

Large bottles of shampoo and lotion waste space and risk leaking. Invest in travel-sized refillable containers and only bring the amount you’ll actually use.

7. Carry a Small Essentials Pouch

Keep your most important items: passport, boarding pass, wallet, keys, and phone in one compact pouch you can grab instantly. It saves you from rummaging through your bag at security or check-in and keeps stress levels low, especially during last-minute gate changes.

8. Bring a Portable Power Bar

Instead of packing multiple adapters and plugs, carry a lightweight power bar. It means you can charge your phone, camera, and other devices at the same time, without hunting for extra sockets in your hotel room.

9. Pack Multi‑Purpose Items

Choose versatile clothing and accessories that do double duty. A scarf can act as a shawl on chilly flights, a beach wrap, or even a blanket. Shoes that work for both day exploring and evenings out help keep your packing list short and practical.

10. Use Shoe Space Wisely

Shoes can be a hidden packing asset. Fill them with rolled socks, belts, or smaller items to maximise space and help them keep their shape. Place them in shower caps or cloth bags to keep the rest of your clothes clean.

11. Take a Small Emergency Kit

Pack a compact kit with plasters, painkillers, stain remover wipes and a spare charging cable. It barely takes up any space but can save your day if small mishaps happen.

Packing for a trip shouldn’t be stressful. With these clever hacks, you can dodge common pitfalls, protect your belongings and breeze through security with confidence. Travel lighter, move smarter and enjoy the journey from the very start.

From airport security checks to bumpy rides and unpredictable weather, your electronics go through a lot during travel.

Heading out on an international trip soon? If yes, packing is probably high on your to-do list. And if you are carrying electronics, it can feel even more daunting. Tripods, tablets, laptops, chargers and more – they are your essential travel companions, but also delicate and prone to damage if not packed properly. Whether you are a content creator, a business traveller, or just someone who likes to stay connected, keeping your devices safe is key to a smooth journey. From airport security checks to bumpy rides and unpredictable weather, your electronics go through a lot during travel. And let’s be honest, no one wants to open their luggage just to find a cracked screen or tangled mess of cables.

The good news is that with a few smart packing strategies, you can protect your gear and travel stress-free. Much curious? Let’s take you through

How To Pack Your Electronics For Travel? 5 Easy Tips

1. Pack Electronics In Your Carry-On:

Always keep your most valuable electronics, like laptops, cameras, and tablets, in your carry-on. Checked luggage can be handled roughly, and there is a higher risk of damage or loss. Having your devices with you also means easy access during the flight and peace of mind throughout your journey.

2. Invest In Protective Cases:

A sturdy case can make all the difference. Look for device-specific options like padded laptop sleeves or shock-absorbing phone cases. If you are heading to a beach or snowy destination, consider water-resistant or weatherproof designs. It is a small investment that goes a long way.

3. Use A Dedicated Electronics Bag:

An electronics bag with padded compartments and cable organisers can keep everything in one place. Some even come with RFID-blocking pockets to protect your passport and cards from identity theft. Choose one based on your travel style.

4. Pack Cables And Accessories Smartly:

Cables tend to get tangled or misplaced easily. Use zip-top pouches, cable organisers, or even old sunglass cases to keep them neat. Don’t forget a portable power bank. It is a lifesaver during long flights or layovers.

5. Wrap Devices In Soft Clothing:

For extra cushioning, wrap your electronics in soft clothing like socks, t-shirts, or scarves. It is a clever way to save space and add protection. Just make sure everything is snug and secure in your bag to avoid shifting during transit.

What To Look For In The Perfect Electronics Bag:

If you are shopping for a travel-friendly electronics bag, keep these factors in mind:

• Size: Make sure it fits all your devices comfortably – laptop, tablet, phone, and accessories.
• Material: Go for durable fabrics like nylon, polyester, or leather that can handle wear and tear.
• Padding: Look for well-padded compartments to absorb shocks and protect fragile items.
• Compartments: Multiple pockets help you stay organised and find things quickly.

With these tips in mind, you will be ready to travel smarter and safer. Enjoy your trip!

The Maldives might not be the world’s cheapest holiday destination, but it is possible to cut back on what you spend with some clever planning and a spot of compromise.

For example, it’ll cost more to stay in an over-water villa (seriously overrated, by the way!) than in a beach villa, and if you drink alcohol, consider saving some dollars by abstaining for the duration of your stay. Here’s our essential guide to exploring the Maldives on a budget.

Daily costs in the Maldives

• Nightly rate at resorts: US$300 to US$2000+ per night on a bed and breakfast basis (opting for all-inclusive packages will generally result in a minimum rate increase of around 30%).
• One-way seaplane journey from Male: US$250 to US$400
• Return scheduled flight from Male with a domestic airline: US$150 to US$550
• Glass of wine (if not included in package) on a resort island: US$10+
• One-tank scuba dive at a resort: US$100 to US$200
• 4-day PADI basic scuba diving qualification: US$400 to US$700
• Nightly rate for a guesthouse on a local island: US$30 to US$60
• Dinner at restaurant on a local island: US$7 to US$20

Fly via the Middle East or India

Most visitors to the Maldives prefer to fly direct to Male, which means the few airlines which fly direct long-haul routes can afford to charge extortionately high air fares (you’ll be lucky to bag direct return flights from North America for under US$1500). One way to cut the cost is to fly via transport hubs such as those in the Middle East. Airlines serving Male include Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways, transiting in Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Doha. A growing number of Indian airlines also operate routes between Male and cities such as Mumbai and Delhi, so it’s also worth considering transiting in India and continuing on to Male with an Indian airline such as Vistara or IndiGo.

Travel in the off-season

Visiting the Maldives during the off-peak monsoon season, between May and November, can mean serious savings. Although there really isn’t a bad time to visit the Maldives, keen divers and snorkelers should note that the sea can be slightly rougher and cloudier during monsoon season. However, diving is possible year-round here, and these months also happen to be the best times for surf sessions – several resorts, including Six Senses Laamu, now have surf schools.

Swap the seaplane for a speedboat

There is a lot of variation in the cost of seaplane flights, but a one-way ticket typically costs a minimum of US$250, with prices reaching US$400. However, there are many resorts that can be reached on just a short boat ride from Male airport.

Complimentary boat transfers – typically on yacht-style vessels with plush seating areas and fridges stocked with chilled drinks – will always be included in the price.
If your resort isn’t accessible by speedboat, find out if there’s a domestic airport nearby. The Maldives has 13 domestic airports, so even if you’re staying at one of the country’s most remote properties, it’s likely you’ll be able to reach it with a combination of scheduled flights (which are much cheaper than seaplane journeys) and short complimentary speedboat rides.

Opt for a larger island with more accommodation choice

In the Maldives, bigger is often better – especially when it comes to value for money. Smaller resorts with just 15 or 20 over-water villas will book up much earlier in advance, and their perceived exclusivity will often mean higher prices. Choose a larger resort, such as Siyam World, which is one of the largest, with over 472 villas and 21 accommodation categories, and you’ll have a wider choice of accommodation, ranging from decadent over-water villas to more affordable one-bedroom beach cottages.

Choose a beach villa rather than an over-water one

The Maldives is famous for its over-water villas, but the huge demand for this type of accommodation means they come with a high price tag. Additionally, there are down-sides to these villas, which are often on over-water boardwalks far from the center of the resort, and you won’t have direct access to the beach, either. Book a beach villa, which will almost always come with a much lower price tag – you’ll be just a few meters from the sand and will almost certainly be closer to restaurants and facilities such as dive schools. You can also consider villas that are neither over the water nor on the beach: villas in the center of the island often have the lowest rates, but feel wonderfully secluded and are more likely to have private plunge pools at the rear.

Stay on a local island

Although the vast majority of visitors to the Maldives choose to stay on resort islands, there are a small number of local islands with guesthouses for tourists. Expect to pay between US$30 and US$60 for a night at one of these cheap and cheerful properties, and between US$5 and US$15 for the public ferry journey (most of which depart from Male, although there are inter-island ferries, too). The most popular local islands with guesthouse accommodation include Gulhi, Maafushi and Dhigurah, all of which are easily accessible from Male.

Book activities in advance

Whether you’re keen to gain a scuba diving qualification or hope to do an excursion to a nearby island, always book activities in advance. Many resorts will offer deals for guests including “early bird” discounts (often between 10 and 25%!). These deals vary, but are most likely to apply to guests who book a minimum of a month before their visit. If you’re a qualified scuba diver, find out if your resort offers discounts for guests who book a certain number of dives – for example, if you book five one-tank dives, one will often be complimentary. It’s also easy to underestimate how quickly excursions book up in advance, which is another reason to sign up sooner rather than later.

There’s a high import tax on alcohol

You’ll be surprised by how much money non-drinkers will save. The Maldives has the world’s highest import taxes on alcohol (largely because it’s an entirely Muslim country where alcohol is illegal beyond its resorts), and all-inclusive packages that include alcohol are very expensive. If you opt for a non-alcohol package but decide to treat yourself to the odd glass of wine, expect to pay a minimum of US$10 per glass.

And don’t even think about bringing your own alcohol – visitors caught importing alcohol into the Maldives will be handed a fine of up to US$500 and risk a short custodial sentence.