Nuremberg Airport is the only German airport connected to the city by U-Bahn metro

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: While most German airports rely on heavy rail or trams, Nuremberg Airport features a direct U-Bahn link that reaches the city center in just 13 minutes. As the first airport built in West Germany after World War II, it has evolved from a post-war necessity into a modern regional hub.

Following the devastation of World War II, the American Zone of Occupation in Nuremberg lacked a functional civilian airport. The city initially relied on a private airfield in Fürth for passenger flights. In 1955, the new Nuremberg Airport was inaugurated, marking the first major airport construction project in the young Federal Republic of Germany. Over the following decades, the infrastructure expanded significantly to accommodate larger aircraft, including the Boeing 747, which first landed there in 1970.

The airport's connectivity was transformed in 1999 with the extension of the U-Bahn line U2, a project that cost 95 million Deutsche Mark. Today, it remains unique as the only German airport served by a U-Bahn line rather than S-Bahn or national rail. This transit link is vital for the Franconian metropolitan area, a region home to major global companies like Siemens and Adidas. The airport's architectural landmark is its 48-metre-high control tower, designed by Günther Behnisch and opened in 1998.

Despite its history as a hub for carriers like Air Berlin, the airport has navigated significant shifts in the aviation market. Following the pandemic, domestic connectivity declined, leaving Frankfurt as the only remaining domestic route. However, the airport has maintained its appeal, ranking as Germany's most popular international airport in 2024 based on traveler reviews. It continues to serve as a base for leisure carriers and specialized air rescue services, including the DRF and ADAC air ambulances, while handling record-breaking passenger volumes in 2025.

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