Ever wondered what happens to airports and train stations when they outlive their purpose? Some turn into bustling shopping centers, but others become eerie, forgotten relics of the past. From once-busy terminals to grand railway hubs now overtaken by nature, here are four of the most fascinating ghost airports and abandoned train stations around the world.
Table of Contents
Nicosia Airport
Once Cyprus’s main international airport, Nicosia International Airport has been abandoned since 1974. Due to political conflicts between Greek Cypriots and Turkish forces, the airport was caught in the middle of a war zone and eventually shut down.
Today, the airport remains eerily frozen in time, with rusting planes, collapsed terminals, and luggage conveyor belts that haven’t moved in decades. The UN uses it as a buffer zone, but no flights have taken off here in nearly 50 years. It’s a haunting reminder of how politics can change the fate of infrastructure overnight.
Ellinikon Airport
Ellinikon Airport in Athens, Greece, was once the city’s main gateway before being replaced by Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in 2001. This airport played a vital role in Greece’s aviation history, hosting both commercial and military flights for decades.
After its closure, it was left to decay, with graffiti-covered walls, abandoned aircraft, and overgrown runways. Some parts were briefly used for the 2004 Olympics, but it never saw commercial flights again. Plans to redevelop it into a massive coastal park have been slow, leaving it in a strange limbo between past and future.
Canfranc International Railway Station
Located in the Spanish Pyrenees, Canfranc International Railway Station was once a grand symbol of European travel. Opened in 1928, it was designed to connect France and Spain, featuring an opulent building with over 300 windows.
However, the station’s history is filled with drama—Nazi spies, gold smuggling, and war intrigue. After a train derailment damaged the tracks in 1970, the station was abandoned. While it remains largely deserted, restoration efforts have recently begun, with plans to transform it into a luxury hotel.
Michigan Central Station
Detroit’s Michigan Central Station is one of the most famous abandoned train stations in the United States. Opened in 1913, it was once a bustling transportation hub, welcoming thousands of passengers daily. However, as train travel declined, the station fell into neglect and officially shut down in 1988.
For years, it stood as a symbol of Detroit’s economic struggles, with broken windows and graffiti-covered walls. However, in recent years, Ford Motor Company has taken steps to restore the building, aiming to turn it into a new innovation hub for the city.
Ghost airports and abandoned train stations serve as eerie yet fascinating monuments to history, each with its own story of rise and fall. Whether due to war, economic decline, or changes in transportation, these places remind us that even the grandest travel hubs can one day be left behind.
FAQs
Why was Nicosia Airport abandoned?
It was abandoned due to the 1974 conflict between Greek Cypriots and Turkish forces.
Can you visit Ellinikon Airport?
The site is mostly restricted, but some areas are accessible for urban explorers.
What happened to Canfranc Station?
It was abandoned after a derailment in 1970, but plans for restoration are ongoing.
Is Michigan Central Station being restored?
Yes, Ford is transforming it into an innovation hub.
Are there other famous abandoned airports?
Yes, others include Tempelhof Airport in Berlin and Johnston Atoll Airport.
