5 countries without airports.. How do tourists reach them?
Amman5 min read
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Five countries around the world attract tourists from various destinations, despite not having commercial airports on their territory. Reaching them depends on landing at airports in neighboring countries, then completing the journey by land via car, bus, or train, in a travel experience that combines transportation with discovering landscapes and surrounding landmarks.
This phenomenon is due to the small size of some countries or their geographical nature, which makes building airports difficult or impractical, while their locations near international transport hubs allow them to receive visitors with relative ease.
Vatican City.. A destination you reach on foot
The Vatican is the smallest independent state in the world, with an area of about 0.44 square kilometers, located entirely within the Italian capital, Rome, which makes building a commercial airport within its borders impractical.
Despite its limited area, the Vatican attracts millions of visitors thanks to its religious and historical status, and its hosting of prominent landmarks such as St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel, in addition to being the residence of the Pope.
It can be reached via Rome Ciampino or Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino airports, then transferring to the city using a car or public transport, and completing the way to the Vatican on foot. It is recommended to plan the visit in advance and book museum tickets to avoid long waiting lines.
Monaco.. Luxury without a commercial airport
The Principality of Monaco is famous for its luxury yachts, high-end hotels, and princely palaces, in addition to its charming views of the Mediterranean Sea and its hosting of global events, most notably the Monaco Grand Prix Formula 1 race.
The small principality is located on the French Riviera, between the sea and high terrain, which makes building a commercial airport within it extremely difficult.
To reach it, one can travel to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport in France, then continue the journey by car, bus, or train to the Monaco-Monte Carlo station. Helicopter flights are also available between Nice Airport and the heliport in Monaco, to provide faster and more luxurious transport.
San Marino.. From Italy to history
San Marino is located in the middle of Italian territory, near the Adriatic coast, and is considered one of the oldest republics in the world. It is distinguished by its location on the slopes of Mount Titano, its towers and castles dating back to the Middle Ages, as well as its panoramic views that have made its historic center a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The republic does not have its own airport, so travelers rely on nearby Italian airports. Federico Fellini International Airport in the city of Rimini is one of the suitable options, as the trip from it to San Marino takes about 30 minutes by car.
Open borders with Italy allow for easy movement between the two countries, with the need to ensure that entry requirements for Italy are met according to the traveler's nationality and documents.
Andorra.. Between the peaks of the Pyrenees
Andorra is located between France and Spain, in the middle of the Pyrenees mountains, and attracts visitors throughout the year thanks to its ski resorts, mountain hiking trails, and shopping centers.
Its mountainous nature makes building a large-scale traditional airport difficult, so most travelers rely on nearby airports in France and Spain, then complete the journey by land via mountain roads.
Andorra–La Seu d'Urgell Airport, located in Spain near the border, is one of the nearby options, despite its limited flights. As for those coming from distant destinations, they can use Barcelona–El Prat Airport in Spain or Toulouse–Blagnac Airport in France, then continue the journey by bus or car.
This land journey gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy the landscapes and mountain villages before reaching their destination.
Liechtenstein.. A journey between train and bus
Liechtenstein is located between Switzerland and Austria, and is characterized by its mountainous nature, historical castle, and hiking trails in the middle of the Alps, in addition to fields, forests, and valleys that give it a quiet character.
Despite its tourist appeal, the country does not have its own airport, and Zurich Airport in Switzerland is one of the most prominent options for travelers arriving from international destinations. St. Gallen–Altenrhein Airport can also be utilized, depending on available flights.
After arriving, the journey can be completed by car or train to nearby Swiss stations, such as Buchs or Sargans, then taking the bus to Liechtenstein.
Thanks to the membership of Liechtenstein and Switzerland in the Schengen Area, movement between them is easy for document holders authorized to enter, while taking into account visa and residency conditions according to the traveler's nationality.
Tips before traveling
Traveling to these countries requires prior planning, especially when choosing airports and means of transport between borders. It is important to check the schedules of land trips, trains, and buses, entry and transit requirements, and road conditions, especially during the winter season.
Despite the absence of commercial airports, these countries prove that small size or geographical nature do not prevent access to tourist destinations, but may instead give the trip a different character that begins from the moment of landing in a neighboring country and ends with discovering an exceptional destination.
