Budget airlines often use clever marketing strategies to attract passengers, but sometimes those savings on tickets come with extra costs and lost time. Some airports bear the names of major cities despite being located dozens—or even hundreds-of kilometers away. The result? Passengers only realize after landing that they’ll need to invest additional effort—and money—to reach their actual destination.
Here’s a detailed look at seven of Europe’s most notorious “fake” airports, ranked by distance from the city they’re named after (from closest to farthest).
“Milan” Bergamo (BGY) – 50 km from Milan
Bergamo Airport, officially Orio al Serio, is popular among budget carriers but is located in a completely different city. While Bergamo itself is a beautiful historic town, travelers heading to Milan must arrange additional transport.
Buses to Milan take about an hour and cost around €10 one-way. Trains are slightly cheaper (around €7) but require transfers and take longer. Taxis are extremely expensive, with fares exceeding €100, making them impractical for most travelers.
If Milan is your goal, factor in transfer costs. But if you have time, visit Bergamo—it’s worth it!
“Brussels” South Charleroi (CRL) – 60 km from Brussels
This airport is actually in Charleroi, an industrial city with little connection to Brussels. The journey to the capital can be exhausting, especially if you’re on a late flight.
Buses to Brussels take about an hour, with tickets costing €17 one-way or €34 round-trip. Trains are slightly more expensive (from €20) and require transfers. Taxis cost over €100, making them a poor choice for most.
If flying late at night, you might need to stay in Charleroi—transport options after midnight are scarce.
“London” Stansted (STN) – 64 km from London
Stansted is one of Ryanair’s main hubs but is located in Essex, not London. While well-connected, the trip to the city center can be slow and costly.
The fastest option is the Stansted Express train, taking 50 minutes to Liverpool Street Station for £21.50 (around €25) one-way. Cheaper buses (from £10) take 1.5–2 hours. Taxis are prohibitively expensive, with fares over £100.
If flying early morning or late at night, check schedules—overnight transport is limited.
“Paris” Beauvais (BVA) – 85 km from Paris
Ryanair calls this “Paris Beauvais,” but in reality, it’s a small airport in Tillé, nearly 1.5 hours from the City of Light.
The bus to Paris takes 1.5 hours and costs €16 one-way or €29 round-trip. Taxis are astronomically priced, exceeding €170—completely impractical.
If you have a short stay in Paris, avoid Beauvais—the wasted time could ruin your trip.
“Barcelona” Girona (GRO) – 100 km from Barcelona
Girona is a stunning city, but you’ll be surprised if you expect to land in Barcelona.
Buses to Barcelona take 1 hour and 15 minutes, costing €16 one-way or €25 round-trip. Taxis run around €125, significantly pricier than buses.
If Girona is your actual destination, perfect. Otherwise, prepare for an extra journey.
“Stockholm” Skavsta (NYO) – 106 km from Stockholm
This airport is actually in Nyköping, over an hour’s drive from Stockholm.
Flygbussarna buses take 1 hour and 20 minutes to Stockholm, costing SEK 159 (around €14) one-way. Taxis are extremely expensive, exceeding SEK 1,800 (around €150).
If traveling to Stockholm for business, choose Arlanda or Bromma instead.
“Frankfurt” Hahn (HHN) – 120 km from Frankfurt
This airport is the worst offender—it’s in a rural area, nearly two hours from Frankfurt.
Buses take about 2 hours to Frankfurt, with fares starting at €16–18 one-way. Taxis are absurdly expensive, costing over €200.
If flying late, check if transport is even available—Hahn is isolated.
Conclusion: A Cheap Ticket Can Become an Expensive Adventure
Budget airlines offer attractive prices, but sometimes the ticket is just the beginning of your expenses. If you don’t check the airport’s location, you could end up paying more for transfers than the flight itself. Before booking, always verify how far the airport is from your destination and what the trip will cost you.
