Prague's Air Travel: All Airports And Their Features

what are the airports in prague

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is known for its stunning architecture and historic sites. The city is a popular tourist destination, and its airport, Václav Havel Airport Prague, is ranked the best in the country. The airport, located about 10 km from the city centre, is known for its high quality of service and convenient facilities, including free Wi-Fi, VIP lounges, metro services, and parking options. With a rich history dating back to 1937, the airport has played a significant role in the country's aviation and has received awards for its technical and architectural design.

Characteristics Values
Name Václav Havel Airport Prague
Other Names Prague Airport, Prague–Ruzyně Airport, Prague (PRG) Airport
Location Prague-Ruzyně area, next to Kněževes village, 12 km (7 mi) west of the centre of Prague and 12 km (7 mi) southeast of the city of Kladno
Year Opened 1937
Terminals 4 passenger terminals, 2 freight terminals, and a cargo facility
Airlines Czech Airlines, Smartwings, Ryanair, Eurowings, IndiGo, Turkish Airlines
Facilities VIP lounges, currency exchange centre, reading rooms, free Wi-Fi, shuttle bus, metro services
Runway 2 runways in service: 06/24 and 12/30. Former runway 04/22 is permanently closed
Nearby Airports Dresden (DRS) (77.6 miles)

shunhotel

Václav Havel Airport Prague

Prague's primary airport, Václav Havel Airport Prague, is located 12 kilometres (7 miles) west of the city centre. The airport was founded in 1937, replacing the Kbely Airport (founded in 1918) as the city's principal airport. It was renamed in 2012 after Václav Havel, the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic. Václav Havel Airport Prague has two main passenger terminals, two general aviation terminals, and a cargo facility. The North Terminals (Terminals 1 and 2) handle most flights departing Prague, while the South Terminals (Terminals 3 and 4) handle irregular, VIP, special, and small aircraft flights. The airport has a rich history, including a period of Soviet control and a recent name change honouring a significant political figure.

Terminal 1, opened in 1968 and rebuilt in 1997, is used for flights outside the Schengen Area and includes concourses A and B. Terminal 2, opened in 2006, is designated for flights within the Schengen Area and consists of concourses C and D. Terminal 3, handling private and charter flights, opened in 1997, while Terminal 4, the oldest part of the airport, exclusively serves VIP flights and state visits. The airport provides a range of facilities, including VIP lounges, a currency exchange centre, reading rooms, and free Wi-Fi, ensuring a user-friendly experience for visitors.

The airport is easily accessible via different modes of transportation. Prague Public Transit Co. (DPP) buses frequently serve both Terminals 1 and 2. Additionally, the Czech Railways public bus service, AE – AirportExpress, provides a connection between Terminal 1 and Praha hlavní nádraží. Regular buses to Kladno and intercity buses to Karlovy Vary and Cheb are also available from the bus station in front of Terminal 1. There are ongoing plans to enhance the airport's connectivity by constructing a rail connection. Although the preliminary work commenced in 2018, construction had not started as of 2024. The proposed project includes double-tracking and electrifying the existing single-track railway, ensuring seamless integration with the Prague-Kladno line.

shunhotel

Runway and terminal facilities

Prague Airport, officially known as Václav Havel Airport Prague, is the main airport serving Prague, Czech Republic. It is located 12km (7 miles) west of the centre of Prague and 12km (7 miles) southeast of the city of Kladno. The airport was founded in 1937 and has undergone several reconstructions and extensions since then. It is named after Václav Havel, the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic.

Václav Havel Airport Prague has two runways in service: 06/24 and 12/30. The main runway, 06/24, underwent reconstruction from 2012 to 2013 due to poor technical conditions. During this time, runway 12/30 was the only usable runway as runway 04/22 is permanently closed for take-offs and landings and is used for taxiing and parking only. Runway 12/30 is not equipped for low-visibility landings and can only accommodate ILS CAT I landings. It is also less suitable due to its approach path, which goes above high-density population areas such as Prague 6 and Kladno.

The airport has two main passenger terminals (Terminals 1 and 2), two general aviation terminals (Terminals 3 and 4), and two cargo terminals. Most flights depart from the North Terminals, with Terminal 1 serving flights outside the Schengen Area and Terminal 2 serving flights within the Schengen Area. The South Terminals handle irregular, special, and VIP flights, as well as small aircraft operations. Terminal 3 caters to private and charter flights, while Terminal 4 is exclusively for VIP flights and state visits.

The airport provides a range of facilities for passengers, including VIP lounges, a currency exchange centre, reading rooms, and free Wi-Fi. It is easily accessible by bus, with frequent DPP bus services stopping at both terminals and a Czech Railways public bus service, AE – AirportExpress, connecting Terminal 1 with Praha hlavní nádraží. There are also plans to connect the airport to the railway network, with preliminary work commencing in 2018.

shunhotel

Transport to and from the airport

Prague's main airport is the Vaclav Havel Airport Prague, also known as Prague–Ruzyně Airport or Prague Airport. It is located about 7 miles west of the city centre and serves as a hub for airlines such as Smartwings, Ryanair, and Eurowings. The airport has two main passenger terminals, with most flights departing from the North Terminals (Terminals 1 and 2).

There are several transport options available for travelling to and from Vaclav Havel Airport Prague. Here are some of the most common options:

Bus: Buses operated by DPP, the Prague Public Transit Co., frequently serve both Terminals 1 and 2. The Czech Railways public bus service, AE – AirportExpress, connects Terminal 1 with Praha hlavní nádraží. There are also regular buses to Kladno and intercity buses to Karlovy Vary and Cheb that depart from the bus station in front of Terminal 1.

Train: Although Prague Airport does not currently have a direct rail connection, there are plans to introduce one in the future. In the meantime, passengers can take the AE – AirportExpress bus to Praha hlavní nádraží, the city's main train station, and connect to other destinations from there. Ostrava Airport, located outside of Prague, has had a railway connection since 2015.

Metro: According to some sources, Vaclav Havel Airport Prague offers metro services. However, it is important to note that Prague's metro system does not directly serve the airport. The closest metro station is Nádraží Veleslavín (line A), which is about a 10-minute bus ride away from the airport.

Shuttle: A free shuttle bus is available to take passengers directly to the airport terminal from the parking area.

Taxi: Taxis are also an option for travelling to and from the airport. Official airport taxis can be found outside the arrivals hall of Terminal 1 and must display a yellow lamp on the roof to indicate they are available. It is recommended to use these official taxis to avoid overcharging.

shunhotel

Airlines that fly to Prague

Prague Airport, also known as Václav Havel Prague Airport (PRG), is the nearest airport to Prague, located just 7 miles from the city. Ostrava Airport is another airport in the Czech Republic that is accessible from Prague.

There are various airlines that fly to Prague Airport, including Delta, British Airways, Aegean Airlines, American Airlines, Air France, Finnair, AirBaltic, China Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Aer Lingus, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, and Etihad Airways.

Websites like KAYAK and momondo offer tools to help travellers find the best prices for flights to Prague. KAYAK's Price Forecast tool, for example, uses historical data to predict whether flight prices are likely to change within 7 days, helping travellers decide whether to book immediately or wait for a better deal. Momondo, on the other hand, allows users to filter flight results by price, airline, airports, cabin, aircraft, payment method, number of stops, and more.

When booking a flight to Prague, it is recommended to carry multiple documents, including a national ID card, driver's license, and a passport valid for at least six months after your intended arrival. It is also advisable to refer to the airline's guidelines or a reliable third party, such as IATA, for the required travel and health documents.

shunhotel

Nearby airports

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is served by Václav Havel Airport Prague, formerly known as Prague–Ruzyně Airport. The airport is located 12 km (7 mi) west of the centre of Prague and 12 km (7 mi) southeast of the city of Kladno. It was founded in 1937 and has been reconstructed and extended several times since then. The airport has two main passenger terminals, two general aviation terminals, and a cargo facility. It is recognised as one of the European airports with the highest quality of service. Václav Havel Airport Prague offers convenient and affordable parking options, as well as a free shuttle bus to the terminal.

Other nearby airports include Dresden Airport (DRS), which is approximately 77.6 miles away from Prague. Ostrava Airport, located in the city of Ostrava in the Czech Republic, is another alternative airport to Prague. It is worth noting that Ostrava Airport has a railway connection, making it easily accessible by train.

In terms of transportation to and from Václav Havel Airport Prague, there are several options available. The airport is served by buses operated by DPP, the Prague Public Transit Co., which stop at both Terminals 1 and 2. Additionally, a Czech Railways public bus service, AE – AirportExpress, connects Terminal 1 with Praha hlavní nádraží. From the bus station in front of Terminal 1, there are regular buses to Kladno and other nearby destinations.

There are also plans to connect Václav Havel Airport Prague to the railway network. Preliminary work on this project commenced in 2018, and construction was expected to start around 2023. According to media reports, the airport will be served by express trains with special fares, connecting it non-stop to the city centre. Local trains will also be fully integrated into the Prague integrated transit system.

Frequently asked questions

Prague Airport, officially known as Václav Havel Airport Prague, is the main airport in Prague, Czech Republic.

The airport is located about 12 kilometres (7 miles) west of the city centre of Prague.

Prague Airport serves as a hub for Smartwings and as an operating base for Ryanair, Eurowings, and Czech Airlines.

Prague Airport offers facilities such as VIP lounges, a currency exchange centre, reading rooms, free Wi-Fi, and metro services.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment