Want to visit a country... but there's no airport?
Don't worry—the five countries without an airport are all still accessible! At Alternative Airlines, we'll help you book a flight to a nearby airport hassle-free.
The Five Countries That Have No Airport
Where from?
Where to?
Dates
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Passengers & Class
1 Adult, Economy/Coach
Which countries have no airport?
Out of the 195 officially recognised countries, only five don't have an airport. As modern-day life strides on, so does accessibility. Therefore, a country without an airport can seem surprising and a little daunting. Some of these countries are ranked in our hardest destinations to visit list. However, none of them are entirely unreachable.
This page will explain why these countries have no commercial airports and how you can still visit even without one.
The five countries with no airport:
- Vatican City
- Monaco
- San Marino
- Liechtenstein
- Andorra
Vatican City
Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. It has an area of 0.17 square miles and a population of just 764 people, making it the smallest country in terms of both land and population size. You could put nearly 39 million Vatican City's into Russia, the largest country in the world. To put it into further perspective, you could comfortably place around 27 Vatican City's into Chicago O'Hare Airport. Suffice to say Vatican City is far too small to host an airport. However, the country does have a small heliport, but it isn't available to the general public.
Vatican City is an important destination for Roman Catholics, as it's where the Pope resides. Countless Christians go on pilgrimages to the country each year. Its religious and historical importance has made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There's plenty to see in Vatican City, and with its size, you'll be able to explore it all in just one day.
How to get to Vatican City?
It's very easy to get into Vatican City despite it having no commercial airport. You'll want to land at Rome Ciampino (CIA) Airport in Italy. After a car journey of around 45 minutes, you'll find yourself in the smallest country in the world. You can freely cross between the two countries thanks to their open border.
✈️Some popular airlines that can get you to Italy are: ITA Airways, Ryanair, and Wizz Air✈️
Monaco
Monaco is an extremely small country—so small that Central Park in New York City is roughly the same size as the entire country! You could walk from one end of Monaco to the other in just 45 minutes. This makes Monaco the second smallest country in both the world and Europe. With such little land, there isn't and won't ever be enough room for something as large as a commercial airport. However, it does have a small helicopter facility.
There aren't many countries where you can explore it in its entirety in just one trip, especially on foot. But Monaco offers this luxury. It's a unique destination by the coast that makes for a brilliant weekend getaway, as you can achieve everything you want to do relatively quickly.
How to get to Monaco?
Even with no airport, getting to Monaco is still simple. The easiest way to reach the country is by arriving in France at Nice's airport, Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE). From here, it will take about 40 minutes to reach Monaco by car. Other than your flights, this will likely be the longest journey of your entire Monaco trip!
✈️Some popular airlines that can get you to France are: Air France, Virgin Atlantic, and KLM✈️
San Marino
As the fifth smallest country in the world and the third smallest in Europe, San Marino is another country that just doesn't have the space for a commercial airport. It's a microstate in the mountains with a population of around 33,600.
For nature lovers, San Marino is the perfect place. Enjoy hikes and scenic walks. On your strolls, you'll see castles, statues, and monuments.
Just like many of the countries on this list, the Schengen agreement means that you can travel to multiple countries in Europe without requiring any additional documentation other than the Schengen Visa, which permits you to 90 days in the Schengen area over a 180-day timeframe. Technically, San Marino isn't a part of the Schengen agreement, but because Italy entirely surrounds it, it falls under these same rules, meaning you won't need any additional documentation to go from Italy to San Marino.
How to get to San Marino?
San Marino is another country where you'll first have to arrive in Italy. The closest airport is Federico Fellini International Airport (RMI), just a 30-minute car journey from San Marino.
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is the fourth smallest country in Europe and the sixth smallest in the world. But that doesn't mean it has nothing to offer. The country is sprawling in history, which can be witnessed through its many castles. It's also wealthy in natural beauty with its many fields, forests, and rivers.
Because of Liechtenstein's size, there isn't enough room for an airport. However, it's still very accessible; in fact, its tiny sizes make it more accessible. Because the country's so small, you can visit most of it in just one week!
How to get to Liechtenstein?
The easiest way to get to Liechtenstein is to arrive at an airport in Switzerland, most commonly Zurich Airport (ZRH) or St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport (SGZ). Liechtenstein and Switzerland have an open border, so you can travel between the countries without border security or long queues. As long as you have the correct documentation for Switzerland, you'll have the correct documentation for Liechtenstein. From Switzerland, it will take around 30 minutes to 2 hours by car before you're in Liechtenstein.
✈️Some popular airlines that can get you to Switzerland are: Swiss International Air Lines, Lufthansa, and EasyJet✈️
Andorra
Andorra is another tiny country. It's the sixth smallest country in Europe and the 16th smallest in the world. However, its size isn't the only reason why Andorra doesn't have an airport.
Andorra is an incredibly scenic country nestled between the Pyrenees mountains. Because of its mountainous terrain, there isn't enough flat land to build something as large as an airport.
How to get to Andorra?
Even though there are technically no airports within Andorra, there's one so nearby that it even goes by the country's name. Andorra–La Seu d'Urgell Airport (LEU) in Spain is just 35 minutes away from Andorra by car. Spain and Andorra share an open border, so you won't have to worry about long queues or additional documentation. Andorra–La Seu d'Urgell only offers flights from other Spanish locations like Madrid (Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport), so you'll have to get a domestic flight before arriving at Andorra–La Seu d'Urgell.
If you'd prefer to limit your time in the skies, you can go to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) in Barcelona instead. It's the second busiest airport in Spain and offers plenty of international flight options. It's further away than Andorra–La Seu d'Urgell, requiring a car journey of 2 hours and 45 minutes, but it's still a good option if you'd rather not get a second flight and want to explore more of Spain before getting to Andorra.
✈️Some popular airlines that can get you to Spain are: Iberia, British Airways, and Vueling✈️
Financing my flights
If this page has inspired you to visit one of the countries mentioned, then it's time to consider the next steps. The presence of an airport isn't the only determiner of accessible travel; another big part is your own individual finances.
We know that booking a flight can really add up, and we don't want you to miss out because of that. That's why we've partnered with 20+ Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) lenders.
BNPLs let you spread the cost of your flights into smaller, more manageable instalments, ensuring you pay back your tickets at a pace that suits your budget needs.
Some of our most popular BNPLs include Afterpay, Affirm, Klarna and Oney.
Find out more about our payment plans below 👇👇👇
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No airport - frequently asked questions
How many countries have no airports?
Five officially recognised countries don't have any commercial airports.
What countries have no airport?
Vatican City, Monaco, San Marino, Liechtenstein, and Andorra.
Can I visit a country if it has no airport?
Yes, the countries without an airport can still be visited. Each country is just a car journey away from its closest international airport.
Why should I book my flights with Alternative Airlines?
At Alternative Airlines, we want to make travel as accessible as possible. With our 600+ airlines and 40+ payment methods, you can travel how and when you want. Some of our ways to pay include upfront, Buy Now Pay Later, and Cryptocurrency, giving you the ultimate control over your finances.
We also offer several perks to our customers, such as our frequent deals and discounts. You can add additional features to your booking for your peace of mind, such as cancellation protection and baggage insurance.