Experts have revealed the European airports named after a city, but are actually not close to that city and where travellers will have to further travel to reach their destination
Experts have revealed the sneaky European airports that are actually miles away from the city they’re named after.
Airport transfer experts, SCSChauffuers, are warning that travellers should double check the airport before booking, as many airports across the world seem close to your destination city, but in reality, are not.
Travel expert Hadleigh Diamond, director of airport transfer company SCSChauffuers, said: “Many budget airlines use major destinations in airport names that are actually 100s of miles away from the actual destination, leaving travellers working out how to get an airport transfer to the real destination.”
Frankfurt, Germany
Frankfurt-Hahn Airport (HHN) is actually closer to Luxembourg, and if you are intending to actually visit Frankfurt, it will take you approximately one hour and 45 minutes to get to Hauptbahnhof central station, which is around 80 miles away.
This journey into the city also acts as an extra cost of, on average, €18.99 (£15.73). It is predominately passengers on flights with Wizz Air and Ryanair that get caught out by this.
Oslo, Norway
Oslo-Torp Airport (TRF) is actually around 68 miles southwest of Oslo and a train to Oslo Central Station takes roughly one hour and 45 minutes. It also costs on average between £14 and £21 each way, to get to the city. Ryanair, Wizz Air and many other airlines fly to this airport.
Munich, Germany
Memmingen Airport (FMM), which is often marketed as ‘Munich West’ is located 72 miles from the city, or a one-and-a-half hour train journey to Munich Central Station, costing between £12.50 and £18 on average. A number of small airlines, including Ryanair and Wizz Air, fly to the airport.
Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) is about 62 miles south of Stockholm. So if you wanted to head to the city, it would actually take another hour and twenty minutes before you got there. Ryanair, Wizz Air, and a number of other budget airlines head to this airport.
Barcelona, Airport
Barcelona-Reus Airport (REU) is close to 62 miles southwest of the city of Barcelona. This is about another one-and-a-half-hours of travelling, which could cost an additional £12 to £16 each, on average. Ryanair, Wizz Air, and other airlines all head to this airport during tourist season.
Paris, France
Paris–Beauvais Airport (BVA) is 53 miles or an addition one hour and 15 minutes of your journey time away from the actual city. Many budget airlines use this route, including Ryanair and Wizz Air.
Düsseldorf, Germany
Düsseldorf-Weeze Airport (NRN) is approximately 50 miles away from the city, and is located on the border with Holland. It takes around one hour and 15 minutes to one-and-a-half-hours to actually get to Düsseldorf. Ryanair, Wizz Air, and other budget airlines all fly to this airport.
However, these airports are not all bad, according to Hadleigh: “They do have benefits, however, offering cheap flights to major destinations, as long as you’re able to plan your airport transfer effectively, especially by pre-booking if its a late night flight”
SCS explained that airports can use a major city’s name even when they are not close to that city if it is a main hub for people flying to and from that whole metropolitan area. Even if the airport is technically located in a nearby suburb or town, it can name itself after the city.
