Prague’s Václav Havel Airport (Letiště Václava Havla Praha) is large but clear and convenient. In 2007, it was named the best airport in Eastern and Central Europe. It is also one of the oldest: it dates back to the 1930s and was called.
Now the airport consists of 4 terminals:
- Terminal 1 — for non-Schengen flights
- Terminal 2 — for intra-Schengen flights
- Terminal 3 — for private and charter flights
- Terminal 4 — open only for VIP flights, it is the oldest building of Ruzyně Airport, opened in 1937.
Bus from Prague Airport
The most economical way to get from the airport to the city and back is by municipal bus. There are bus stops at the airport at the exit of each terminal, it is hard to miss them. There is one night flight No. 910 and three daytime flights between Prague and the airport: 100, 119, 191.
These buses take you to different branches of the subway:
- Bus No. 100 goes to the metro station Zličín of the yellow line B. Travel time is about 20 minutes.
- Bus No. 119 is the fastest: it takes 15—20 minutes to the nearest station to the airport, Nádraží Veleslavín, on line A (green).
- Bus No. 191 takes approximately 50 minutes to reach the city. It takes you to the green metro line A (Petřiny station) and the yellow line B (Anděl station).
- The night bus goes past the I. P. Pavlova metro station, through Kačerov station to the Modřany district. The subway does not run at night, but you can transfer to night streetcars and buses in the city.
You may find it useful: How public transportation works in Prague
Almost all public transportation in Prague has terminals for cashless ticket payment, but it is better to buy a bus ticket in advance.
Tickets are suitable for any mode of transportation and are sold for a fixed period of time — during this time you can change to buses, streetcars and subways without restrictions, except for the Aeroexpress. To get from the airport to the city center, you should buy a 90-minute ticket for 32 crowns (Kč) or a daily ticket for 110 Kč. You can buy a ticket from a special machine: at the airport, these machines are located in the arrivals hall, while in the city they are easiest to find at metro stations. For other points of sale and a full list of fares, see the Prague Public Transportation Guide.
- Fare: 24 or 32 Kč (30 and 90 minutes respectively);
- Frequency: 5—10 minutes;
- Travel time: about 40—50 minutes from the airport to the center;
- Opening hours: 4:30—00:00 (daytime); 00:30—4:30 (nighttime)
You do not need to validate a ticket already validated on the bus. Use the same ticket to transfer to another vehicle and show it to the controller if necessary. The main thing is that the time limit has not expired since the ticket was composted.
Airbus Airport Express
Airport Express shuttle buses depart from the stop marked with the letters AE. The shuttle goes to the main railway station «Hlavní nádraží" in the center of Prague, from where you can get down to the subway or go directly to the platforms to the trains.
The Aeroexpress has only three stops: Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and the Railway Station.
Shuttle tickets are sold at the driver’s desk and on the carrier’s website. Airport Express ticket is not valid in other transportation.
- Fare: 60 Kč (170 ₽);
- Frequency: 30 minutes;
- Travel time: about 40 minutes;
- Mode of operation: from 5:30 to 22:00 from the airport to the city, from 6:30 to 22:00 from the city center to the airport.
Cab from the airport to Prague
Although the airport recommends its cab partners, several cab and transfer aggregators are active in the Czech Republic: Kiwitaxi, Uber, Liftago. In any case, I recommend checking prices before traveling and ordering transportation in advance.
- Fare: 450—550 Kč (1260—1550 ₽);
- Travel time: 25—30 minutes;
- Around the clock.
It is more convenient to order a cab in the Czech Republic via an app. In this case, you can find out the price in advance. If you order a cab directly at the airport, the price can be up to 1000 Kč.
How do you get to the airport from the center?
- If you take the city bus number 119, when you get out of the subway, follow the pictograms «airport»: these signs will lead you directly to the stop where an empty bus arrives every 5 minutes.
- If taking the Airport Express shuttle, look for the stop near the main train station «Hlavní nádraží«: on Vilsonova Street towards Florenc, on the upper level of the station right at the front of the Fanta building (the old station building).
