Monaco is the second-smallest country in the world and does not have its own airport because its total land area is only about 2 square kilometers—roughly the size of New York's Central Park. There is simply no flat land long enough to accommodate a runway. Instead, the "official" gateway for air travelers to the Principality is the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) in neighboring France, located about 30 kilometers (18 miles) away. To get from Nice Airport to Monaco, travelers typically take a 30-minute taxi, a bus, or the regional TER train. For a more "Monaco-style" entrance, many wealthy visitors and business travelers use the Monaco Heliport (MCM) located in the Fontvieille district. Frequent helicopter shuttles (like Monacair) run between Nice Airport and the Monaco Heliport, taking only 7 minutes and offering stunning aerial views of the coastline. While the country lacks a fixed-wing airport, its integration with the French transport system and its dedicated heliport ensure that it remains one of the most accessible luxury destinations in the world.