Prague Airport (Arriving from Schengen Treaty member country)
This page is for people arriving in Prague having travelled FROM a country that is a Schengen Treaty member i.e. from the list below so check it now. To make it faster if you are travelling from outside continental Europe or from the UK then you need to look at my other Prague Airport page.

List of Schengen countries (or those countries to be accepted in 2008)

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland,
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Netherlands (Holland)
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Czech (landing and departing via Terminal 1 North until passport controls in Terminal North 2 are ended this year)
If your departure country was not in this list then click HERE.

Prague Airport Guide - Fast Facts
  • Bus transport connections: Public bus service linking with metro stations on green and yellow lines, private bus service connects to red line at Holesovice.
  • Average taxi price to the centre of town: 650kc plus or minus 100kc.
  • Average private transport price to the centre of town: 550kc
  • Largest Prague Airport carrier: Czech Airlines (CSA).
  • Number of Terminals: 3
  • Distance from city centre: 20km


Arrival at Prague Airport Terminal North 2

 You have now arrived at Prague Airport's newest terminal fully opened in 2007. Arrival is pretty straight forward. Your plane will land and connect direct onto a gate marked "C" or "D" or you will transfer to a bus which takes you to the terminal. As this is the Schengen arrivals terminal there is not normally anybody at passport control. Proceed and turn to the right following the "Baggage Reclaim" signs for Gates "C" and "D".

NOTE 1: Do not use the main passport control in the "B" area otherwise you'll end up in the wrong baggage reclaim area.
NOTE 2: If you are in transit then follow signs for your next flight gate i.e. another Schengen flight leaves from here. Non-Schengen flights mean you must follow the signs for Gates "A" and "B".
NOTE 3: If you are in transit and have a boarding card then you can buy goods in any of the shops.


The Arrival Hall and transfer options at Prague Airport Terminal North 2

 Having collected your luggage you enter the arrival hall and you'll find the following:
On your left will be Coffee Heaven (coffee and snacks), Airport information booth, Tourist public transport booth (big sign says "Metro-Tram-Bus and you can buy DPP tickets here). On the far left is the Giga Bar, the Citibank ATM and the entry to Terminal North 1.
On your right you will find:
Vodafone shop, AAA booth (public taxi car service), Travelex (foreign exchange), CEDAZ booth (Hotel transfer using vans) and at the far end of the concourse are the other bank ATM's (CSOB, Ceska Sporitelna, KB, UniCredit and ABN-AMRO).

NOTE 1: If using AAA taxi or CEDAZ you do not have to book in advance. You are also told the cost of the transfer BEFORE you take the trip.
NOTE 2: AAA and CEDAZ vehicles are located in the first lane outside the terminal. Other options like buses and private pickups are in the second lane. All options for transfer to the centre of Prague are at the bottom of this page.


Departing via Prague Airport Terminal North 2

 By definition you must be travelling to another country member of the Schengen treaty listed at the beginning of this page. If you are not travelling to one of these countries then view the departure hall information on the other airport page. Note: if you are taking the 119 Bus from Dejvicka then it stops at Terminal 3 first (charters and government flights), then Terminal 1 North and finally Terminal 2 North. If you're still with me then as you enter the Terminal North 2 hall you'll find the following:

On your left will be the Star Alliance ticket offices (Austrian and Lufthansa etc).

On your immediate right will be Relay newsagent and the Czech Airlines and common ticket sales offices for KLM/Alitalia and Air France. All other ticket offices and tour operator booths are on the far side of the check-in desks.
On the far right is the restaurant, shops and the escalator down to the Terminal North 1 passage. Shops in the upper floor include a Lekarna (dispensing chemist), two restaurant bars (Sweet Home has an outside viewing terrace), Bambule toy shop, a coffee/cake cafe and a newsagent.
NOTE: in the passage to Terminal North 1 there is also a sushi restaurant, McDonalds and a Post office.


Checking In

 The departure boards clearly show the flight numbers and check-in desk information. Luggage size and weight must comply with the airline requirements and your ticket allowance. Lufthansa and CSA e-ticket holders with hand luggage only can use the fast check-in machines (you need the booking code and the credit card used to make the booking). Passengers with oversize or specialist luggage (like surfboards etc) are directed to a special area after checking in. Security restrictions are still in place regarding liquids i.e. you cannot take anything in your hand luggage greater than 100ml and anything like perfume, makeup, gel etc must be put in a sealed bag of not more than 1L volume (See the next section for terminal differences). The front desks (210, 220, 230, 240) if staffed, can check you in if you only have hand luggage but, more likely they will send you to a business check-in. Easyjet operates a policy whereby you can take whatever weight into your hand luggage depending on two things, 1) that your hand luggage fits "comfortably" into the regular size check frame and 2) that you can lift this bag into the overhead locker on your own. No sharp or dangerous items can be carried on board (listed at check-in).



LIQUIDS - Difference between Terminals

 1) Terminal North 1 - You can bring liquids like water/juice etc as far as the departure gate but, not into the waiting area for the flight. All liquids not in correct volume or sealed bag must be discarded before going through xray and into the gate waiting area. Vending machines are used inside the waiting area.
2) Terminal North 2 (Schengen) - ALL liquids over 100ml and not in a sealed bag must be discarded BEFORE going through passport control. Any drink purchased after the xray check can be taken onboard the plane.


Passport Control and Security

 There are currently 6 passport control desks. The one on the right is reserved for business, CD and crew. The ones on the left are EU only and the ones in the middle are "all countries". Generally the EU queue is longer but it moves faster. When you get through passport control you join a single queue to the xray machines. Here the queue can break and it's up to you which xray machine you want to queue at. My advice is to put all coins/watches/bulky jewellery/keys/belt/mobiles etc into your carry-on luggage or expect a manual body search. Green light means you are squeaky clean. Red-light only means you are ok. Red light and the buzzer mean you will be searched.

NOTE that if you have a notebook PC it must be removed from the hand luggage and put through separately i.e. with your jacket. Local security instructions may be enforced i.e. sometimes you have to take off your shoes.


Departure Gates "D" - Prague Airport Terminal North 2

 You now enter the Gate "D" area (Gate "C" is detailed in the next section). On your left will be the following:
Blue (tourist souvenirs - very colourful), Relay newsagent and media, El Mundo restaurant/cafe, Sandwich shop (expensive), Sparkys toy shop, Travel Value shop (drink/perfume/cigarettes/clothes), Swarovski (Jewellery) and Erpet (Crystal/Glass).

On your immediate right will be the Czech Airlines shop (all the usual), Travel Value (only make-up and perfume), assorted clothes shops, Moser glassware, computer shop and the EU shop (duty free with 10% discount off second item).

On the far right begins the food area consisting of the Porto restaurant, Shortys English Pub, Celebrity Steakhouse, Bohemia Deli and the Black@White internet cafe. This is an expensive area to eat and drink. In general, prices for a 0.3L glass of beer start at 110kc (Porto will give you 0.4L for same price). In this area you'll find stairs and lifts down to the "C" area described in more detail below.

Airport Lounges - Opposite gate "D2" you'll find stairs and at the top are the business lounges. The Crystal Lounge on the left is for specified flight carriers (business and first). The Moravia Lounge (it's run by Menzies Aviation and is just called "Lounge" now) is on your right for specified carriers with the addition of paying customers i.e. you pay them 20 Euros per person for two hours (Diners Club cardholders enter for free) and it's a great place to stock up on in-flight goodies for people who are on flights where you have to pay separately for food and drink.


Gates "C"

 As you go down the lift or escalator you'll see the entry for transit passengers coming over from Terminal North 1 on your right. As you enter the gate area you'll find the following. On the right is Sparkys toy shop followed a little later by the Relay newsagent and Botanicus (smelly soaps etc). On the left is the Egerman Glass shop.

NOTE: if you are departing from C12-C21 then after the glass shop there is an entry point on the left that goes down to these gates.

Further up on the left is the Pilsner Restaurant followed by another branch of "Blue", Clare (shirts) and Sugarfree (womens underwear). On the other side is the "Coke Point" cafe. NOTE: Relay newsagent charges 55kc for a bottle of Cappy fruit juice, the Sandwich shop in the main terminal and Coke Point charge 95kc for the same bottle). Parents with kids can save a fair amount by buying drinks from here.


Prague Airport Transfer Options
There is an English Language car/bus hire service run by an American here in Prague. Click Prague Airport Shuttle for details and prices. I recommend Prague Airport Shuttle because I have used them a few times over the years.

Prague Airport cars (these are taxi's that can only be hailed at the airport) are parked outside the arrival halls of both terminals and are clearly marked with "Passenger Transport" signs on the sides. These will charge between 150kc and 800kc (for most of Prague although travel to Pruhonice will cost 1200kc). Depending on what part of the the city you travel to most of the New Town is in the 650-700kc range and Mala Strana is currently 600kc (Jan 2008). For a price, just speak to the taxi supervisor rep inside the arrivals area and tell them the name of your hotel. This info is also on the "stop" post outside on the road. You get a ticket with the details and 20% off the return trip. AAA public taxis now operate the same routes so in general the prices are now fixed i.e. no meter is used.

CEDAZ (www.cedaz.cz) - regular shuttle. Vans run every 30 minutes from 0530 to 2130 between Prague airport and the city centre (Namesti Republiky - CSA office) for 120 Kc or as far as Dejvicka metro station for 90kc. Depending on the time of day, it takes about 30 minutes and the van is comfortable. Tickets are available from the Cedaz booths in both terminal arrival halls.

CEDAZ (www.cedaz.cz) - Hotel Transfer has three options:
1) Four people to one hotel (central Prague with luggage) for 480kc (Jan 2008).
2) Eight people i.e. a whole van to one hotel (central Prague with luggage) for 960kc.
3) One to Eight people i.e. a whole van to one hotel (outside central Prague with luggage) for 960kc.
You can make arrangements in advance or wait until you get to the airport as they allow extra vans. If you book a return journey (return must be paid in cash) then currently it costs 400kc (up to 4 people from central Prague) or 800kc (up to 8 people from central Prague or up to 4 people from outside central Prague).

Smart Shuttle (http://www.smartshuttle.net) is linked to the Smart Wings airline. Prices are similar to Cedaz. Only has booth in Terminal North 1.

AAA Taxi - Has booths in TN1 and TN2. Normal Prague city taxi service. These cars are gradually all being sprayed yellow for easy identification. Wenceslas Square for @600kc.

CITY Transport Authority (DPP Buses):
No.119 (approx every 15 minutes from 4:30 am to 11:30 pm) between Prague airport and metro station Dejvicka (green line - it takes about 20 minutes) suitable for metro stops in the centre like Mustek, Staromestska, Namesti Miru and Museum.
No.100 that goes from the airport to the yellow line station at Zlicin and takes 14 mins. This line is best for stops like Florenc (bus terminal), Andel (bus terminal), Namesti Republiky, Mustek, Narodni and Karlovo Namesti.
Do not forget to buy a 26Kc ticket from the news-stand, DPP desk or from the yellow machine at the bus stop. You should also buy and validate an 13kc ticket for any suitcase or large rucksack. Note that if you buy a 24 hour pass or higher i.e. 3 day, 7 day etc then you do not need to buy a separate luggage ticket as you are allowed one over standard piece per pass.
To get to the bus stops go out of the Terminal North 2 arrival area and you want the second lane over on the right. Warning: both bus routes attract pickpockets and especially pickpockect gangs of 5 or more who can create their own diversions and isolate people from luggage. This affects the 119 more than the 100 because it is usually more crowded etc. Click HERE for more information about using Public Transport. There is a How to ...... guide to finding bus and tram timetables. If you are going to Plzen or Brno then look at the website for Student Agency (www.studentagency.cz, currently Czech language site but, if you ring or email they speak English) for online seat reservation.

Prague Airport Express - This is an option for people who intend using public transport but, do not want to take the "pickpocket prone" 119. The Airport Express is not public. You pay @50kc to the driver and you are taken direct on a 35 minute trip to the Holesovice Train Station. This station connects to the Prague Metro system on the red line. Runs every 30 mins from 0915 to 2215. Stops are located outside of both terminals listed as "AE". There is no extra cost for luggage.

If you are arriving in Prague after 2300 then the last day-buses depart around 2350. After that the night bus 510 takes over and it only goes to the Divoka-Sarka tramstop. You then have to transfer to the 51 tram to get to Dejvicka and/or the city centre.

Chauffeur.cz. Chauffeur.cz is a small company with a guy whose family has a long history in the taxi/chauffeur business.

Mike Chauffeur. Mike-chauffeur.cz is a small company offering taxi/chauffeur services that include Prague airport pickups.

Other Airport Transfer services.


Prague Airport VIP and Business lounges

 All available options are listed at the VIP Services page. These include regular lounge use, business meetings and equipment, renting parking places outside the terminals and the possibility of short term renting of "rest rooms" in the Terminal South building.


Prague Airport Guide - Seasonal Note

 From November to March, Prague Airport has many days where snowfall causes one or more runways to be closed and flights delayed. From the UK it's worth NOT being booked on the first flights of the day i.e. 0800-1000 as these are guaranteed to be cancelled whilst Prague sorts itself out from overnight snowfall and in peak periods you will not get on another flight.


Prague Airport Car Park "C"

 Whether you stay for 7 minutes or 7 days etc you can use the same car park. The fee is calculated at the time of payment. As a rule we've found that 7 days parking equates to about 2500kc. You must pay for your ticket before you return to your car and you have 20 minutes to exit. The parking payment machines are located at TN1 gates C and F at arrivals and gate A at departures. In TN2 they are at gate E. There is also a cash payment machine at the the pedestrian entry and close to the exit of the car parks. There are also "credit card" payment machines in the terminals and at the "C" pedestrian entry. There is a manual payment desk in the Parking "C" car hire area (24 hours) if the machines are not working and/or you need a receipt (also a good place to break a large bank note).


External Links

 PRAGUE AIRPORT - World airport guide (www.worldairportguide.com/Airports/prg/prg.asp)
PRAGUE AIRPORT - Official Airport Site covering all Czech Airports (www.csl.cz)
PRAGUE AIRPORT and Czech Airlines info (www.csa.cz) which also links to an online arrivals flight checker.