Prague Airport Guide

Prague airport

Prague Airport is a small airport located 10 kilometres (6 miles) west of Prague city centre, and is the home airport and hub for Czech Airlines.

Now officially called Václav Havel Airport Prague, formerly Prague Ruzyne International Airport (on in Czech: Mezinárodna letiate Praha-Ruzyne) all lead to the same terminal, split into two - Schengen and Non-Schengen sides.

Prague Airport is larger than you would expect, with 14 million passengers a year, and at peak times in the summer (when the airport is rammed with Brits, Aussies, and even a few lost natives) the capacity of the airport reaches capacity. Fly just when Emirates, Qatar and Amermican Airlines all have their flights departing at the same time, and the lounges burst at the seams.

Never the less, facilities are better than you might expect for an old Eastern European airport. There are a few decent shops at the airport, including a gift shop and duty-free. A pharmacy is also available.

Prague airport

There is a bank branch as well as several bureaux de change and ATMs at the airport. A post office is located in the corridor connecting Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Wireless Internet access is available in the lounges, restaurants and other areas of the airport terminals.

You can walk either landside between the two terminals, or airside just by going through passport control.

Prague Airport International Terminal 1

Terminal 1 is used for flights outside the Schengen area - in effect all UK and International flights. It was opened in 1997

Terminal 1 has two 'wings': Pier A and Pier B. To walk airside to Terminal 2, head to Pier B, and keep on going up the corridor.

Prague airport

Prague Airport International Terminal 2

Terminal 2 is used for flights within the Schengen area - in effect most European flights. It was opened in 2006 and is still relatively fresh. When you arrive after landing, you are right in the gate area: if you have an onward boarding pass you can then walk directly to your next gate.

Prague Airport International Terminal 4

Prague Airport Pay in, First & Business Class lounges

Prague Airport transportation

Prague airport Bus ticket machine

To get from Prague Airport to the city centre (downtown) is more difficult than you would think, but slightly better now the A metro line has been extended most of the way to the airport.

You'll have to take a bus (119 or 100), and then either a tram or the metro, depending on where you want to go in Prague.

Both use the same public transport ticket: there are large yellow ticket machines at the terminal, marked 'public transport'. The large ones take credit cards, the smaller ones Czech notes and coins only. There are two types of tickets, valid for either 30 minutes, or 90 minutes - usually, you'll need to take the 90 minutes at 32CZK.

Make sure you have a ticket before boarding, which you then must validate on the bus.

Prague airport Metro line A

Virtually everyone heading into the centre of Prague takes Bus 119, then transfer at Nadrazi Veleslavin metro station onto the green, or A, line of Prague's metro system. The journey takes 18 minutes. (NB the bus no longer goes to Dejvicka) Metro A goes to the Old Town (Mustek) and Muzemum (for Wenceslas Square).

There is also Bus No. 100 which runs to Zlicin on the B metro line, where there are also trams.

Prague Airport train

Prague Airport shuttle bus services

Prague airport Bus 119

Another option to get from the airport is the Airport Express bus, which runs between the airport and Hlavni Nadrazi, Prague's main train station, located in the heart of the city. This takes about 35 minutes.

There are also Prague Airport Shuttle Minibus operated by CEDAZ (tel: 2201 14286) serve the airport. Minibus stands are located in front of the Arrivals hall.

Two night bus services (bus 510) operate after hours. Services are operated by DP Praha), which has an information desk in the Arrivals hall.

Prague Airport taxi services

A taxi from Prague Airport to the cite centre costs around CZK 500, but be aware some Prague Airport taxi firms will charge about 1300CZK to get into the city centre: this is way too high.

Prague taxis are highly regulated, and almost every driver now uses the meter. Each taxi rise costs CZK 40 flagfall plus CZK 28 per km.

Registered taxis operated by FIX (tel: 2205 61788) are available in front of the Arrivals hall, but again ensure you have, if possible in writing the price before you get into the taxi.

Car Hire at Prague Airport

Prague Airport

Major car hire operators are located in the Arrivals Halls. To save time and ensure you get the car you want, book your rental in advance. Rental car operators from Prague Airport include: Europcar, Thrifty, Avis and Budget.

There is also Alimex CR, CS-Czechocar, Dvorak, National and Sixt, with counters on the ground floor of car park C.

Prague Airport Departure Tax

Departure taxes now form part of your ticket price.

Prague airport Courtyard by Marriott

Prague Airport Hotel

There are three airport hotels at Prague airport: the Courtyard by Marriott Prague Airport, the Hotel Tranzit, and the Ramada Airport Hotel Prague.

The Courtyard Prague Marriott Airport is located between Terminals 1 and 2 of Prague RuzynuAirport and has a direct covered walkway from Terminal 2. The hotel has on-site dining facilities and business and fitness centres.

Slightly further away, the Hotel Tranzit is located around 300 meters from the northern terminal complex (Terminals 1 and 2) of Prague Ruzynu Airport and offers a free shuttle bus service to the airport.

Prague airport Ramada Airport Hotel

The Ramada Airport Hotel Prague is situated near the South Terminal (Terminal 3) of Prague Ruzynu Airport and offers a free shuttle bus service to the other terminals. Hotel facilities include meeting rooms, an on-site restaurant and a customer car parking area.

Prague Airport Left Luggage

Prague airport luggage storage is handled by an office in the Arrivals area. An oversized baggage shipping service and a baggage wrapping service are also available.

Prague Airport Bars and Restaurants

Prague Airport English Bar

Restaurant facilities are available for passengers in the public and transit areas of Terminals 1 and 2. Alas, there isn't really a wide selection of bars or cafés to choose from. The are only about three eateries in each terminal - but you can walk airside from each one, which means if you have hours to kill there is more choice.

Prague Airport English Bar

However, it is pretty miserable and souless.

Beer is Pilsner, as you might expect.

Prague Airport Mexican Bar

Prague Airport Mexican Bar

Yes, you can get all the tortillas and buritos you would like, and wash down with gallons of Mojitos.

Prague airport

Prague Airport Pilsner Bar