Many budget airlines use secondary airports because of the lower operational costs compared to more central airports, which is fair enough – it means you get a cheap fare. But do check where you’re actually flying to before you book – it’s not always what it says on the tin.
For example, say you want to go to Stockholm. The Swedish capital has four airports. Both Stockholm (Skavsta) and Stockholm (Västerås) are 99km from central Stockholm. Which is great if you’re not actually going to Stockholm. If Nyköping is where you’re heading, then great, it serves your needs.
Heading off hiking? You can actually start walking on the 1,000-kilometre Sörmlandsleden trail straight from the arrivals hall! In which case, thank you Ryanair. But if you can’t ignore that rock-bottom flight price, do factor in the time (especially if you’re arriving late in the day) and the added transport costs.
Both Stockholm (Skavsta) and Stockholm (Västerås) are 99km from central Stockholm. Which is great if you’re not actually going to Stockholm
But if you’re in Stockholm on business or for a weekend break, when you can’t afford to spend time on a long transfer from the airport to your hotel or meeting, you are probably best flying to Stockholm (Arlanda), which is a mere 37km from the city centre, although you’ll pay the price as you’ll need to fly on a scheduled airline.
Last year, Ryanair added Paris-Vatry Disney to its list of destinations.
With both Paris and Disney in the name, you might expect the airport to be located in the vicinity of either the French capital or Euro Disney.
However, at 150 kilometres from Paris’ city centre, and 113 kilometres from Europe’s ‘Magic Kingdom’, Paris-Vatry Disney set a new record in misleading airport nomenclature.
Munich’s Memmingen airport is 113 kilometres from central Munich, Oslo Torp is 109 kilometres from central Oslo.
Easyjet’s new base, London Southend, is 64 kilometres from the city centre.
The 15 worst offenders
1. Paris-Vatry (Disney) – 150km for central Paris and 113km from Disneyland Paris
2. Munich West (Memmingen) – 112km from central Munich
3. Oslo (Torp) – 110km from central Oslo
4. Frankfurt (Hahn) – 110km from central Frankfurt
5. Stockholm (Västerås) – 99km from central Stockholm
6. Stockholm (Skavsta) – 99km from central Stockholm
7. London (Oxford) – 97km from central London
8. Barcelona (Girona) – 94km from central Barcelona
9. Barcelona (Reus) – 94km from central Barcelona
10. Paris (Beauvais ) – 88km from central Paris
11. Dusseldorf (Weeze) – 80km from central Dusseldorf
12. London (Stansted) – 64km from central London
13. London (Southend) – 64km from central London
14. Tokyo (Narita) – 60km from central Tokyo
15. Verona (Brescia) – 53km from central Verona