Travelers seeking to visit major European cities can find themselves unexpectedly far from their intended destinations due to airports that bear the names of popular urban centers but are located dozens of miles away. These so-called 'catfish' airports can result in long, expensive trips for holidaymakers who believed they were landing close to their targets.
One prominent example is Frankfurt-Hahn Airport, which is situated approximately 77 miles from Frankfurt. This journey can take about one hour and 30 minutes by car. A British traveler, James Cox, reportedly booked flights to this airport for a proposal trip, only to realize upon arrival that it was not the major city airport he intended, leading to a scramble for accommodation.
Similarly, Oslo-Torp Airport, officially Torp Sandefjord Airport, is located about 75 miles from Oslo, requiring a travel time of around one hour and 20 minutes by car or one hour and 30 minutes by train to reach the capital. One traveler shared on Reddit their experience of booking flights to what was advertised as 'Oslo Airport' only to discover it was over 100 kilometers away.
Stockholm-Västerås Airport is another such case, located 62 miles from Stockholm. Despite its name, reaching the Swedish capital from this airport takes over an hour's drive. Travelers seeking a closer option are advised to book flights to Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
Barcelona-Reus Airport, officially Reus Airport, is also 62 miles from Barcelona. This distance has caught out travelers, with one posting in a travel group about mistakenly booking flights to 'REU' instead of 'BCN,' Barcelona-El Prat Airport, which is only a 20-minute drive from the city center.
Paris-Beauvais Airport is situated about 53 miles from Paris, requiring a one-hour and 30-minute car journey or one hour and 15 minutes by public transport to reach the city center. Travelers have expressed frustration over booking flights to this airport, with Paris Orly Airport being a closer alternative, though some of its schedules are affected by runway refurbishments until the end of 2026.
Düsseldorf-Weeze Airport, officially Weeze Airport, is located 50 miles from Düsseldorf. The journey to the city center takes approximately 15 minutes by car from Düsseldorf International Airport, which is a closer option for visitors.
These instances highlight a recurring issue where airport names can be misleading, leading to significant travel inconvenience and unexpected costs for international tourists.