Airport Guide: Prague Airport
Prague Airport, also known as Václav Havel Airport Prague, is the biggest airport in the Czech Republic. With 11 million passengers a year, Prague Airport is also the biggest airport in the new member states of the European Union. While there are three runways and four terminals, only two of each are used for normal air traffic. Most facilities at Prague Airport are quite modern and easy to use.
Prague Airport is known for being one of the most important airports in Eastern Europe and offers passengers a decent customer experience. Terminal 1, opened in 1997 and Terminal 2, opened in 2006, are used for regular air traffic. The other two terminals are only used for private jets and charter flights.
Korean Air offers long haul flights to Seoul
Passengers departing from Prague Airport may enjoy a wide range of destinations available as three carriers got a hub at Prague Airport. The partly state-owned Czech Airlines offers several business destinations throughout Europe, while SmartWings and WizzAir mainly offer flights to either holiday destinations or smaller airports in Europe.
Most important carriers at Prague Airport:
- Czech Airlines: Several destinations in Europe and flights to Seoul
- SmartWings: Holiday destinations in Europe
- WizzAir: Selected flights to European destinations
Shopping and eating at Prague Airport
Prague Airport offers its passengers a selection of several different shops and restaurants to enjoy land- and airside. Both terminals got several Duty Free shops, some of them offering a so-called “Best Price Guarantee” for the best price in the Czech Republic.
There are several international brands present at Prague Airport
There are also several shops selling perfumes and other beauty articles as well as book and fashion shops. The choice of restaurants and bars is a little limited compared to other airports, but is still decent overall. Both terminals offer several different cafés, bistros, restaurants and even some fast food outlets like McDonald’s or Subway.
Sleeping at Prague Airport
Prague Airport doesn’t offer sleeping facilities in the terminals. Nevertheless, passengers may enjoy the comfort of some food outlets being open 24 hours. Sleeping at benches at the airport is allowed and often done by budget travelers. There is no hotel located right next to Prague Airport, but there are some hotels nearby. The closest is Ramada Airport Hotel Prague, but Holiday Inn Prague Airport and Courtyard Prague Airport are not far away from the airport either.
The Courtyard Hotel seems to be the best choice for an overnight stay at Prague Airport
Taking the hotel ratings into account, Courtyard Prague Airport seems to be the best choice. Rates for all hotels are usually between 50 and 150 Euro per night depending on the date. A hotel in the city center, like The Mark Prague, is no real option for a stop-over as the connection to the city center by public transportation is a little streaky.
Lounges at Prague Airport
Interestingly, there is no airline lounge at Prague Airport. Instead, all airlines including home carrier Czech Airlines use contract lounges. Operated by Prague Airport, guests may enjoy access to the Citigold Lounge (landside) or the ERSTE Premier Lounge (airside), both in Terminal 2 or the MasterCard Lounge in Terminal 1 (airside).
ERSTE Premier Lounge is very decent for a third-party lounge
Other lounges at the airport include the two Menzies Aviation Lounges (airside in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2). As different carriers of the three large alliances work together with different lounges, be sure to check which lounge you have access when having a frequent flier status or holding a business class ticket. Holders of a Priority Pass got access to all mentioned lounges.
Lounges at Prague Airport:
- Terminal 1: Menzies Aviation Lounge, MasterCard Lounge
- Terminal 2: ERSTE Premier Lounge, Citigold Lounge, Menzies Aviation Lounge
Transportation at Prague Airport
When there is something that’s average at best, it’s public transportation to and from Prague Airport. The only direct connection to the airport is available by the Airport Express Bus operated by Czech Railways which operates every 30 minutes and takes 40 to 50 minutes to the city center.
The only mode of public transportation at Prague Airport are buses
Other options to get to the city center include the combination of bus line 100 with the metro line B as well as bus lines 119 and 191 with metro line A. Tickets are quite cheap, especially compared to taxis. These usually cost between 500 and 700 CZK (~ 18 to 26 Euro / 21 to 29 US-Dollar) for a ride between the city center and the airport.
- The most convenient way to the city center is the Airport Express Bus
- Taxis cost between 500 and 700 CZK (~ 18 to 26 Euro / 21 to 29 US-Dollar)
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