Václav Havel Prague Airport
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Václav Havel Prague Airport is a modern and spacious international airport located on the northwest edge of Prague. It is about 17 kilometres north of the city. This airport forms the central artery into the city and region. It provides access to Prague’s renowned culture, business, sports, and everyday life.
This airport was formerly known as the Prague-Ruzyně. It was officially renamed the Václav Havel Airport Prague in October 2012. It draws its name from the country’s first post-Velvet Revolution president, Václav Havel, who served as president of Czechoslovakia and then of the Czech Republic.
All international flights arrive at this airport, including many of Europe’s best-known air carriers. This reflects and adds to the city’s importance as a cultural, scientific, and business centre.
Prague Airport arrivals and departures, along with much additional information, are displayed on the airport website: www.prg.aero. The site is available in multiple languages, including English.
There is no other civil airport in Prague; however, Prague has three smaller airports and several landing areas for helicopters. These are located at airports and in hospital compounds. Václav Havel Airport Prague serves as a hub for Czech Airlines as well as a base for Travel Service Airlines, including its subsidiary, Smart Wings.
The journey from the airport to the city centre takes around 25-30 minutes by taxi, or up to one hour by public transport. The airport is equipped with modern facilities throughout, offering passenger comfort similar to that in other EU airports.
The building also includes conference rooms and other spaces. Some examples are rooms for VIP and business clients. There are also spaces for those traveling with children and other needs. Overall, Prague Airport is a comfortable, clean and logical place to use. Visitors discover it is easy to find their way around.
Tips for Travellers
There is no train or metro connection to or from the airport. Public transport bus service links are available to underground stations on two different lines. The approximate time from the airport to the nearest metro (Nádraží Veleslavín, line A) is around 25 minutes.
Getting from the airport is possible by public bus, shuttle or taxi service. The distance from the city centre to the airport is 20 kilometers (around 30 minutes).
According to the passenger complaints and online reviews, there is a new trick by taxi drivers to rip off customers. Instead of using the direct and shortest route from the airport, they are taking the highway bypass to inflate their fares. Such trips to the city center could cost about twice as much as the direct route via Evorpska highway. To avoid such surprises, pre-book your taxi online or tell the driver your preferred route.
There are three terminals. UK flights arrive and depart from Terminal 1 (with passport control) and flights from Schengen-zone countries from Terminal 2 (without passport control).
Use the ATMs in the arrivals hall to draw out Czech crowns rather than changing money at the airport, as bureau de change outlets tend to be overpriced.
At the airport there is a wide choice of restaurants, cafes and shops, though most are rather high-priced. Some cheap fast food chains (Subway, KFC, Burger King) and a Billa supermarket can be found in the public areas at arrivals.
All areas of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are covered by free Wi-Fi hotspots.
The airport also offers special services. In the transit area of Terminal 1, you can also visit the Oratory, which is designed to ensure that passengers can meditate and relax. On hot days, you might appreciate showers located at both terminals.
Use this general information and helpful tips to make your experience at Václav Havel Airport Prague rewarding, enjoyable, and convenient. Each year, thousands of travellers make it a point to visit here for both business and pleasure.
Airport News
Information for Passengers Subject to Restrictions Applied by the Czech Government
CZECH GOVERNMENT DECREE EFFECTIVE 11 May 2020 - A ban on entering the territory of the Czech Republic for all arriving foreigners (tourists) except for foreigners with temporary or permanent residency in the Czech Republic. EU citizens may [...]
Prague Airport handled as many people in April as it did in two-and-a-half hours last year
In April 2020, Prague Airport handled 5031 passengers, which means a year-on-year decrease of 99.6%, and described it as unprecedented in the results report. This is due to the coronavirus pandemic and associated travel restrictions. [...]
Notice to passengers: Travel restrictions to / from the Czech Republic
Traveling during the state of emergency. Czech Government Decree effective from 16 March 2020 Czechs are not allowed to travel; foreigners are not allowed to come to Czech Republic - Ban on entering the territory [...]
Self-service. Prague Airport has installed a self-service bag drop
Self-Service Bag Drop is now available to passengers at Prague Airport. For this purpose, the airport has installed 12 self-service facilities (24 counters), which are located on the new terminal island in Terminal 2. „We [...]
The Czech Republic is in a state of emergency: restricted movement, restaurants, and events over 30 people
Only shops and restaurants will remain open during the day The government has declared a state of emergency for the territory of the Czech Republic due to health threats in connection with the demonstration of [...]
Prevention of the spread of coronavirus at Prague Airport
International travellers to Czech Republic are facing tighter restrictions at Prague Airport and denying entry and stopping direct flights to China, South Kora and northern Italy regions with more reported cases of coronavirus. Prague has [...]