Why Switzerland has the Strangest Airports

By TravelWiseFeb 1, 2013 16:39 PMOther
Share:
Why Switzerland has the Strangest Airports
Why Switzerland has the Strangest Airports

Disembarking from a plane you can normally be sure of a couple of things; unless you were flying in first or business class, you probably had an awful nights sleep; you wish that the baby sitting two seats further up the aisle would at the very least suddenly loose its voice; you know what country your landing in. In fact, the last of these points should be pretty much written in stone, unless you are landing in either Basel or Geneva (the only airport in the world that I know of that happen to be in two countries).

Quite why Switzerland decided to build two major airports on the border with France is something that I’ve never worked out. Looking at there history, there seems to be no specific reason for this, simply that as planes got larger, they needed longer runways and the only space available was across the border. Luckily, given that Switzerland is normally thought of as a peaceful country and not the most dangerous country in the world, the expansion has never been a problem.

When you land at either of these two Swiss cities, you leave Switzerland, or you enter Switzerland, or in some cases you never make it into Switzerland. I was never quite sure what country I was in, because by the time I left either airport, I’d gone over the border so many times I’d started to loose track. The only way you’ll know for sure is if you’re flying with Air France, in which case you’ll never officially have entered Switzerland.

There are some important things at you need to think about when you land at either of these airports. For instance if you are thinking of buying or renting anything then you should definitely head to the French side because everything is cheaper. Renting a car for instance is far cheaper on the French side than the Swiss side, even though the stalls are just metres apart. Although ironically even if you rent a French car in Geneva, you still have to enter Switzerland to leave the airport.

Although Geneva and Bern happen to have airports in two countries, there are some other strange airports that I’ve heard of. For instance Coolangatta Airport in Australia actually has two time zones, which I’m sure has resulted in a generation of terrible jokes by the flight attendants.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Man holding a protest sign during a daytime demonstration, facing a journalist in a crowd

Air Travel Alert: Strike Set to Disrupt Northern Italy Airports on June 20

Jun 19, 2025 04:22 AM
Person photographing the sunset over a calm lake in Finland during summer

Finland’s Midnight Sun Transforms Summer Travel Experiences

Jun 19, 2025 02:37 AM

Wizz Air Reopens Suceava Base Opening New Direct Flights for Travelers

Jun 18, 2025 23:47 PM

New Opening in Covent Garden Blends London Setting with New York Flavour

Jun 18, 2025 21:24 PM
Volcanic eruption sending thick ash clouds into the sky over a green mountainside

Mount Lewotobi Eruption Disrupts Flights to Bali, Lombok, and Labuan Bajo

Jun 18, 2025 19:31 PM
Modern hotel bedroom with stylish lighting and cozy decor

Marriott to Broaden African Footprint with Dozens of New Hotels by 2027

Jun 18, 2025 17:49 PM
easyJet aircraft in flight against clear blue sky

easyJet Expands UK Winter Flights with 22 New Direct European Routes

Jun 18, 2025 15:26 PM
Empty interior of a public bus with yellow poles and blue seats

Public Transport Updated for Blenheim Concertgoers

Jun 18, 2025 13:53 PM
Emirates aircraft flying against a blue sky

Emirates Launches A350 Flights to Lyon as Part of Fleet Shift in France

Jun 17, 2025 23:43 PM

New Wyndham Days Inn Opens in Shantou, Increasing Hotel Availability Beyond China’s Largest Cities

Jun 17, 2025 21:29 PM

New Iceland Flights from UK Boost Winter Travel Options for 2026

Jun 17, 2025 19:36 PM
Modern hotel room with large bed and city view

New Hotel to Open Steps from Uppsala’s Landmarks and Station

Jun 17, 2025 17:41 PM
Modern bedroom with large windows and city view at sunset

New Hotel in Central Kathmandu Reshapes the City’s Travel Map

Jun 17, 2025 13:27 PM
Cathay Pacific aircraft at gate in Hong Kong International Airport

New Nonstop Flights Open Direct Path from Hong Kong to Munich

Jun 17, 2025 11:34 AM
A panoramic view of Hong Kong’s skyline and harbor from Victoria Peak at sunset

Hong Kong’s Hiking Trails Open New Paths for Active City Exploration

Jun 16, 2025 23:44 PM

New Lufthansa App Tools Let Travelers Bypass Airport Hassles

Jun 16, 2025 21:21 PM

Barcelona’s Poblenou Transforms: From Factories to Creative Hubs

Jun 16, 2025 19:39 PM
AirAsia aircraft in flight against a cloudy sky

Daily Flights Now Connect Chiang Mai Taipei and Sapporo Opening Up Fresh Travel Paths

Jun 16, 2025 17:46 PM
Modern guest room interior at Avani+ Barbarons with wood accents and workspace

Renovated Avani+ Barbarons Reopens, Expanding Travel Options on Mahé

Jun 16, 2025 15:23 PM
Person speaking through megaphone during a strike near a street

Finnair Cancels Over 140 Flights Amid Ground Staff Strike at Helsinki Airport

Jun 16, 2025 13:37 PM
Beachgoers crowd a popular beach on a Balearic Island under a sunny sky

Europe Implements New Measures to Manage Tourism Impact

Jun 15, 2025 19:48 PM
Crowded airport gate area with passengers waiting for boarding

Qatar Airways changes booking rules for flights through the Middle East in June

Jun 15, 2025 17:26 PM

Late-night trains added after Sam Fender gigs in Newcastle

Jun 14, 2025 22:36 PM

Traffic Warning for Edinburgh Flyers During Highland Show

Jun 14, 2025 20:49 PM
Cathay Pacific airplane on runway near water, preparing for takeoff

Cathay Group Expands to 100 Destinations, Opening New Travel Opportunities for Passengers

Jun 14, 2025 18:33 PM
Construction vehicle working on railway tracks near stationary train

Summer Rail Suspension in Sardinia to Affect Travel Between Key Towns

Jun 14, 2025 16:54 PM