For many Brits, the lure of cheap flights to Europe is why 43% of Brits surveyed enjoyed a city break in the past 12 months. (2024-25 ABTA Report)
However, according airport transfer experts, SCS Chauffuers, are warning that travellers should double check the airport before hitting the book thanks to this big travel mistake made by millions each year.
Travel expert Hadleigh Diamond, director of airport transfer company SCSChauffuers‘ “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.
Airports to Avoid on Extreme Day Trips or Weekends Away
1. Frankfurt-Hahn Airport (HHN) – 126 km (78 miles) (closer to Luxembourg)
- Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (central station).
- From €18.99 (can vary by company and booking time).
- Primarily Ryanair and Wizz Air.
2. Oslo-Torp Airport (TRF) – 110 km (68 miles) southwest of Oslo.
- The train to Oslo Central Station takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.
- £14-21 each way
- Ryanair, Wizz Air, and other airlines.
3. Memmingen Airport (FMM) (Often Marketed as “Munich West”) – 116 km (72 miles)
- 1 hour 30 minutes to Munich Central Station (ZOB).
- £12.50-£18.
- Ryanair, Wizz Air, and some other smaller airlines.
4. Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) – 100 km (62 miles) south of Stockholm.
- 1 hour 20 minutes Transfer Cost:
- ££12-16.
- Ryanair, Wizz Air, and other budget airlines.
5. Barcelona-Reus Airport (REU) – 100 km (62 miles) southwest of Barcelona.
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Around £12-16.
- Ryanair, Wizz Air, and other airlines during tourist season.
6. Paris–Beauvais Airport (BVA) – 85 km (53 miles.
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- £14-16.
- Airlines: Ryanair, Wizz Air, and other budget airlines.
7. Düsseldorf-Weeze Airport (NRN) – Approximately 80 km (50 miles) – on the border with Holland
- 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.
- £12-16.
- Airlines: Ryanair, Wizz Air, and other budget airlines.
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 explains why airports can use a major city’s name even when not nearby?
For an airport to use a location, it is meant to be the main hub for people flying to and from that whole metropolitan area, even if it’s technically located in a nearby suburb or town, rather than the city centre.
It is a little bit of creative licence, but it also allows travellers to enjoy much cheaper flights to their favourite destinations.