Only five countries in the world do not have airports within their borders – Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City; though all have at least one heliport. As these places are all microstates in Europe, they are near bigger countries with airports upon which they can rely.
The Principality of Andorra is located between Spain and France, remains isolated from the rest of Europe by the Pyrenees mountains, which surround it completely. Even though it is not as small as other countries and has a surface area which is hundred times larger than Monaco, it still doesn’t have its own operational airport/s due to its location.
The principality of Liechtenstein due to its space limitations and hilly landscapes doesn’t have an airport. The principality with an area of some 160 square km is just a few kilometres long, and its entire perimeter barely stretches to 75 km.
From being the smallest country in the world, the Vatican with an area of just 0.44 square km is another country without an airport. Even though the Vatican City is right in the centre of Rome, there is no alternate sea or river route of transport and is among the list of few countries where access is almost on foot.
The Principality of Monaco is connected with the rest of the world through railways running along the French coast, its large harbour receiving many of its goods and by car along rather winding roads.
Considered as the oldest state in the world, San Marino is not far from the Vatican City and Rome. It is also completely surrounded by Italy and does even have access to the sea. It’s less than 40 km in perimeter area and does not have room for an airport.
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