Prague's Airport: A Single Hub For The City's Travel

Prague has one main airport, the Václav Havel Airport Prague, formerly known as the Prague-Ruzyně Airport. The airport is located 13 kilometres west of the city centre and is accessible by bus, cab, or private car. It offers flights to over 170 destinations, with 70 carriers operating flights. The airport has two runways in service and four terminals in total, with an expansion of the existing terminals scheduled to begin construction in 2027 or 2028.

Prague's Václav Havel Airport is around 10-13km from the city centre

Prague has only one commercial airport, Prague Václav Havel Airport, which is around 10-13km from the city centre. The airport is the largest in the Czech Republic and serves as Central Europe's gateway, with over 50 airlines operating from it. It is divided into two sections: the old and the new. The old section contains two terminals for private and VIP flights, while the new section houses Terminals 1 and 2 for the general public.

Terminal 1 handles intercontinental flights, including those to and from the UK, North America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Terminal 2 handles flights to and from EU countries that are members of the Schengen Agreement. The airport offers flights to more than 170 destinations, with 70 carriers operating flights.

The airport is easily accessible by public transport. Bus 100 runs between the airport and the Zličín metro station (metro line B). From there, passengers can take the metro to their destination. The journey from the airport to the city centre takes approximately 40 minutes. Alternatively, passengers can take the AirportExpress bus, which runs daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at intervals of 20 to 30 minutes. The AirportExpress bus also takes about 40 minutes to reach the city centre.

In addition to buses and the metro, passengers can also take a taxi to and from the airport. There is an official contract taxi service available at Václav Havel Airport.

The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1937. It has undergone several name changes and has been influenced by political and economic changes over the years. The airport has also been a filming location, standing in for Miami International Airport in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale. With ongoing modernisation and development, Václav Havel Airport is one of the fastest-growing airports in its category in Europe.

The airport is served by two runways, with runway 24 being the most used

Prague has one commercial airport, the Václav Havel Airport Prague, formerly known as the Prague Ruzyně Airport. The airport is served by two runways, with runway 24 being the most used. The runways are labelled 06/24 and 12/30, with the first number indicating the direction of takeoff and the second number indicating the direction of landing. Runway 04/22 is permanently closed for takeoffs and landings and is used for taxiing and parking only. Runway 06/24 is the main runway and is used for more than 80% of the airport's traffic.

Runway 24 is the most commonly used runway at Prague Airport due to the prevailing western winds. Runway 30 is also frequently used, while runway 06 is rarely used and runway 12 is only used in exceptional cases. The hourly capacity of a single runway at Prague Airport is 46 aircraft movements (takeoffs and landings), which ranks the airport among the best in Europe in terms of traffic flow on one runway.

To accommodate the increasing capacity demand at Prague Airport, there are plans to construct a new parallel runway to the existing main runway 06/24. The new runway, designated as 06R/24L, will be located 1,525 metres south of the current runway, which will be renamed 06L/24R. The construction of the parallel runway will increase the runway system capacity to 72 takeoffs and landings per hour during peak times. The project was initially planned to begin in 2016, with an expected completion date of 2019. However, as of 2023, the construction start date has been pushed back to 2027 or 2028, and the new runway is expected to be operational by 2033.

In addition to the new runway, Prague Airport is also undergoing expansion and modification of its existing terminals. Terminal 1 will be expanded with a new concourse to accommodate both non-Schengen and Schengen flights, and modifications will be made to existing concourses A and B. Terminal 2 will also be expanded with a new concourse, and it will continue to serve both Schengen and non-Schengen flights. The construction of a railway connection between the airport and Prague city centre is also in the planning stages, which will improve transportation options for travellers.

The airport is accessible by bus, taxi, metro and private car

Prague's Václav Havel Airport is located 13 kilometres west of the city centre, in the Prague-Ruzyně area. The airport is accessible by bus, taxi, metro and private car.

By Bus

There are several bus options to get from the airport to the city centre. The Prague Airport shuttle bus (AE Express) is a direct route that takes around 45 minutes. You can also take bus 119 to the airport from Nádraží Veleslavín, which is on metro line A. This bus departs from a designated area near the station exit and stops at all the airport terminals. Bus 100 runs between the airport and the Zličín metro station (metro line B). If you land after midnight, you can take the night buses 907 or 910.

By Taxi

Taking a taxi from the airport is a quick and convenient option, as the service is door-to-door and always available. The official taxi service at the airport is Uber, and you can book your ride using the app, self-service kiosks, or service counters inside the terminal. You can also find taxi ranks outside the terminal buildings. However, be aware that some drivers may attempt to overcharge tourists, so it is recommended to ask for a rough fare estimate before starting your journey.

By Metro

You can connect to metro line C at Prague's central train station to get to other areas of the city. There are also several buses that connect to the city's metro system, providing an efficient way to get to the city centre. Take bus numbers 59, 119 or 191 to reach stations on metro line A (green) and bus number 100 for metro line B (yellow).

By Private Car

You can also get to the city centre from the airport by private car. This option may be preferable for those who want to avoid sharing transport with others.

Prague Airport offers flights to over 170 destinations with 70 carriers

Prague has one main airport, the Václav Havel Airport Prague (formerly Prague Ruzyně International Airport), which is located about 12 km (7 mi) west of the city centre. The airport has a rich history, having served as a hub for the trans-European airport network and witnessed significant political and economic changes over its seventy-year existence. It even stood in for Miami International Airport in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale.

As of 2024, Prague Airport offers an extensive network of flights, serving over 170 destinations with 70 carriers. The airport handles a high volume of traffic, with numerous flights to and from popular European cities. For instance, there are up to 57 weekly flights to Paris, up to 54 to Amsterdam, and 40 connections to Milan. Prague Airport also provides a significant number of flights to London and Antalya, with up to 93 and 59 connections, respectively.

The range of destinations served by Prague Airport continues to expand. During the summer season, new direct connections are introduced to various holiday spots, including Astana, Tallinn, Florence, and Verona. The airport also prioritises the development of long-haul routes to Asia and North America, with negotiations underway to launch regular flights to Hanoi, Beijing, Delhi, Bangkok, and New York.

Prague Airport is well-equipped to accommodate its growing traffic. It features two main passenger terminals, two general aviation terminals, and a cargo facility. The North Terminals (Terminals 1 and 2) handle most flights, while the South Terminals (Terminals 3 and 4) cater to irregular, VIP, special, and small aircraft operations. Terminal 1 is designated for flights outside the Schengen Area, while Terminal 2 serves flights within the Schengen Area.

To enhance its capacity further, Prague Airport has expansion plans in the works. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 or 2028, with a focus on expanding Terminal 2 and adding a new concourse. The project also includes modifications to existing concourses and adjustments to the check-in hall at Terminal 1. By 2033, the airport aims to complete these developments, including the addition of jetway and bus gates to accommodate the increasing number of flights and passengers.

Terminal 1 will be used for Schengen flights, Terminal 2 for both Schengen and non-Schengen

Prague has one main airport, the Prague Airport (PRG), officially known as the Václav Havel Airport Prague. The airport is located roughly 10 miles from the city centre and can be reached by public transport in approximately 40 minutes.

Prague Airport (PRG) has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which are both accessible by bus. An expansion of the existing terminals is scheduled to begin construction in 2027 or 2028. The project includes the construction of a new concourse to expand Terminal 2 and modifications to existing concourses, including concourses A and B.

As part of this expansion, Terminal 1 will be dedicated solely to Schengen flights, while Terminal 2 will accommodate both Schengen and non-Schengen flights. The new concourse will also cater to both types of flights, with eight jetway gates and ten non-Schengen bus gates. Additionally, one Schengen bus gate will be added to concourse A.

The Schengen Agreement is an agreement signed by 26 European countries to abolish passport and border controls at their mutual borders. This allows for easier travel within the Schengen area, as passport control is typically not required when travelling between airports within this zone. However, when travelling from a non-Schengen country to a Schengen country, or vice versa, passport control and potential visa requirements come into play.

Frequently asked questions