Airports which are absurdly close to the city

[Quickstatus]

Nothing beats the old Kai Tak airport - Mrs Wongs laundry

SYD is so close that people complain about airport noise even though they moved into the area knowing the airport was there.

 

[randompunter]

We walked from downtown Nukus, Uzbekistan to the airport, was prob less than 2km. Is it a city though? 330k people and Uzbek's 6th largest city according to Wiki, but felt very small.

 

[HirafuHeartAttack]

Google tells me Osaka Itami airport is 20 kms north of downtown Osaka. Compared to KIX, 40 kms south of the city, that seems relatively close.

Yeah ITM is much closer but no direct train line into Osaka (or Kyoto) so you have to catch a bus/taxi or a monorail then train so not exactly as well connected as KIX.

Fukuoka is a ridiculous example as first noted but under huge strain now given it's expansion limitiations and Fukuokas hugely growing popularity.

 

[shaun_b]

YTZ should also be right up there.

Definitely. I didn't realize how close and convenient it was until I walked from the airport to my downtown accom in around 20 min.

 

[Beano]

Has anyone mentioned Gibraltar? There was a main highway across the runway but I believe they built a tunnel under.

 

[flyingfan]

Has anyone mentioned Gibraltar? There was a main highway across the runway but I believe they built a tunnel under.

Yes, post 51. I live vicariously through all these places I haven’t been to, Gibraltar included!

 

[Himeno]

Google tells me Osaka Itami airport is 20 kms north of downtown Osaka. Compared to KIX, 40 kms south of the city, that seems relatively close.

If only ITM had a useful rail connection. Only has a monorail which doesn't go into the city, just the northern suburbs.

surprised no one has said Chicago Midway

 

[Spacetravel]

Queenstown (ZQN) while not a major city, ZQN is very close to the city (town) centre and ski fields. Ive been able to have a day on the slopes and still make my afternoon flight without any issues.

I feel like Singapore (SIN) needs a mention too, while the airport is pretty much as far as they could put it from the city centre, with the entire country the size of Sydney its still pretty close to the city. Close enough the airport is also a shopping centre and entertainment space for locals to visit who have no intention to travel.
Fun fact the road that leads into the airport was built to double as a runway if ever needed for wartime (or at least that is what the locals told me).

 

[moa999]

Has anyone mentioned Gibraltar? There was a main highway across the runway but I believe they built a tunnel under.

Flown into GIB twice, have relatives who work in Gib, live in Spain, so have actually dragged luggage over the runway a couple of times, as well as crossing on scooter and car.

The airport tunnel finally opened in 2023 after a lot of issues between Gibraltar and Spain, but believe one can still cross on foot at times.