July 28, 2026, 12:10 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
While most countries seem to maintain at least one airport, often several in different cities, others have none at all. TRAVELBOOK lists five countries that cannot be reached directly by plane.
Flying is generally cheaper than taking the train, as a recent Greenpeace analysis showed. Additionally, travel time is usually shorter compared to trains or cars, which is why many vacationers often choose to fly. However, sometimes that’s not an option. The following five countries do not have their own airport.
Vatican City
Though it is called a “city,” Vatican City is actually a country, albeit the smallest in the world. The city-state located in Rome covers just 44 hectares. There’s no room for an airport among its 1,000 residents, including the Pope, and its various famous buildings. Even if there were space, another airport would not be necessary alongside the two existing ones in Rome–Ciampino (CIA) and Rome–Fiumicino (FCO).
Also of interest: The 5 Best Airports in Europe
Monaco
Monaco is the second smallest country in Europe and incredibly compact. Known for its luxurious cultural and leisure offerings, this independent city-state has about 39,000 residents on just two square kilometers (according to the Centre d’Information sur les Institutions Européennes, as of 2018). Additionally, it receives around five million visitors annually, who arrive by car or via a detour through Nice by plane. For particularly wealthy or important visitors, there is a small helicopter airport on site.
Andorra
The independent principality of Andorra has two heads of state: the Bishop of La Seu d’Urgell and the President of the French Republic, both serving in a ceremonial capacity–but it has no airport. This is simply because the country is located in the Pyrenees, a high mountain range.
However, you can fly to the nearby area. The nearest airport, Andorra–La Seu (LEU), is located in the county of L’Alt Urgell, about 26.2 kilometers from Andorra. If you prefer to travel by train, you can do so from France, with your destination being the station in the town of L’Hospitalet-près-l’Andorra, or from Spain to the Lleida-Pirineus station. More information can be found on the travel website “Visit Andorra.”
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San Marino
Back to Italy, which hosts San Marino, not just another small state but one of the oldest republics in the world. The small country is rich in famous monuments. San Marino’s capital is known for its historic center on the slopes of Mount Titano, which stands 739 meters high–the medieval old town is surrounded by a wall and is a popular attraction for visitors. These visitors often come from Rimini, where the nearest airport and train station are located, and from there, they can take a cable car to Borgo Maggiore (a municipality in the Republic of San Marino).
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein, with its area of 160 square kilometers, is a landlocked country between Austria and Switzerland–and it has no airport. This might be one reason why Liechtenstein has the fewest visitors of any country in Europe. Yet, Liechtenstein is worth visiting year-round. In winter, skiers, snowboarders, and cross-country skiers can enjoy altitudes of up to 2,500 meters, and in summer, Liechtenstein’s high elevation offers relatively pleasant temperatures. It also boasts numerous hiking trails and picturesque Alpine landscapes and medieval castles. Traveling there is not too complicated, as Liechtenstein has several train stations, and you can also drive. Additionally, there is a privately operated helicopter landing pad in Balzers.