Prague Václav Havel (PRG) — The Complete 2026 Airport Guide
Prague’s airport is small, close and easy — 40 CZK and about 45 minutes puts you on Old Town’s doorstep. The catch is that the two things everyone gets wrong here are the two things this guide leads with: the airport bus you half-remember from a previous trip has been renumbered, and the taxi rank out front is one of the most persistent tourist traps in Europe. Get those right and PRG is a pleasure.
Last verified: July 2026. Transport fares, terminal assignments and EU entry rules change often — confirm the specifics on your ticket and at official signage before you travel.
Quick reference
| Detail | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Airport | Václav Havel Airport Prague, IATA PRG / ICAO LKPR — still widely called Ruzyně after the district. Czechia’s main gateway, heading for a record ~18.9 million passengers in 2026 |
| Location | ~17 km west of the city centre — genuinely close, ~30–45 min door to door by bus + metro |
| Terminals | T2 — flights within the Schengen area (most of the EU). T1 — non-Schengen (UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Gulf, Asia). They adjoin — an 8–10 minute indoor walk, no shuttle |
| Into the city | Trolleybus 59 to metro A (40 CZK / ~€1.60) · bus 100 to metro B · Airport Express to the main train station (100 CZK) · official Uber Airport taxi ~800 CZK |
| Entry | Czechia is in Schengen. EES is live since 10 April 2026 — non-EU arrivals at T1 give fingerprints + a photo on first entry (extra queue time). ETIAS is expected late 2026 and is not yet required |
| Watch out for | Old bus number 119 (now 59) · the airport taxi touts in fake “INFO” vests · landing at T1 vs T2 · buying your PID ticket before you board |
The 2026 detail everyone misses: the airport bus is number 59 now
If a friend or an older guide told you to catch bus 119 to the metro, delete that. On 6 March 2024 line 119 was retired and replaced by trolleybus route 59 — the longest trolleybus line in the Czech Republic, running on new overhead wires between the airport and Nádraží Veleslavín. Same destination, same idea, new number. It leaves from stops outside both terminals, runs every 4–10 minutes, takes about 15–16 minutes, and drops you at Nádraží Veleslavín on metro line A (green) — three quick stops from the centre.
Why this matters: the departure boards, apps and stop signage all say 59, so if you’re scanning for a “119” you’ll stand there confused while your bus pulls away. The fare and the route are unchanged from the old 119 — only the number moved.
Two terminals, and which one is yours
PRG splits by Schengen status, not by airline, which trips up people used to alliance-based terminals elsewhere.
- Terminal 2 handles flights to and from Schengen countries — most of the EU plus Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. No passport control on these routes; security is a single central checkpoint just past check-in.
- Terminal 1 handles non-Schengen flights — the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada, the Gulf carriers, Asia and so on. These go through passport control, and T1’s security is done at each gate rather than one big hall.
The good news is that the terminals are physically joined: you can walk between T1 and T2 in about 8–10 minutes entirely indoors, no shuttle bus needed. So a wrong guess on arrival is an annoyance, not a disaster — but for departures, check the terminal printed on your boarding pass, because check-in and bag drop are terminal-specific.
What’s changing at the airport in 2026
PRG is mid-expansion. The airport is rebuilding T1’s security into a single central checkpoint (like T2’s) and enlarging both terminals, a project that lifts capacity toward 21 million passengers and is designed so either terminal can flex between Schengen and non-Schengen operation at busy times. Practically, for 2026 that means construction hoardings, moved walkways and occasional gate reshuffles — leave a little extra buffer, and follow live signage over any map you memorised.
Getting into Prague
This is a rare airport where the cheapest option is also, for most people, the best. The centre is only ~17 km away, and the integrated public-transport network (PID) is fast and honest. Here’s the straight comparison:
| Option | Price | Time to centre | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trolleybus 59 + metro A | 40 CZK (~€1.60) | ~35–45 min | The default — one ticket to Nádraží Veleslavín, then the green metro line |
| Bus 100 + metro B | 40 CZK (~€1.60) | ~40–50 min | Better if you’re staying near the yellow line (Smíchov, Anděl, Zličín) |
| Airport Express (AE) bus | 100 CZK (~€4) | ~40 min | Direct, no changes, to the main train station — worth it with big luggage or a rail connection |
| Uber Airport / taxi | ~800 CZK (~€32) | ~25–35 min | Only for groups, late nights or lots of bags — and only the official one (see below) |
The buses and metro — take trolleybus 59
There is no metro or train station at the airport itself; every rail option starts with a short bus. The workhorse is trolleybus 59 to Nádraží Veleslavín (metro line A / green), the fastest route to the historic core. If your hotel is on the B (yellow) line instead, bus 100 to Zličín (~18 minutes) is the smarter transfer. Both cost the same single 40 CZK 90-minute ticket, which covers the bus and the onward metro with no second purchase.
After the metro stops for the night, the night bus 910 connects the airport to the city (roughly 22:00–05:00) on the standard PID fare — useful for late arrivals.
The Airport Express, and buying tickets
The Airport Express (AE) is a separate premium coach that runs non-stop from both terminals to Praha hlavní nádraží (the main train station), roughly every 30 minutes through the day. It costs 100 CZK, has luggage space, and is the sensible choice if you’re catching an onward train or hauling heavy bags — but it is not part of the 90-minute PID ticket; you pay the AE fare separately (from the driver or a machine).
How to buy PID tickets: yellow ticket machines sit in the arrivals halls (they take cards and coins), or use the PID Lítačka app; many vehicles also let you tap a contactless card on the on-board validator. Whatever you do, have a valid ticket before you ride — inspectors are frequent and the on-the-spot fine dwarfs the fare. If you’re carrying an oversized suitcase, check the machine tariff, as large luggage can need a small separate reduced-price ticket.
The taxi trap — and the one official option
Prague airport’s taxi problem is real and long-running, and it targets exactly the tired, first-time arrival. The scam works like this: someone in a hi-vis vest, often marked “INFO,” approaches you inside arrivals, acts semi-official, and steers you to an unmarked car in a secondary lane. The meter is rigged or ignored, cash is demanded, a fake receipt appears, and a ride that should cost ~800 CZK becomes 1,800–2,500 CZK or more.
How to stay out of it:
- Ignore anyone who approaches you offering a taxi. Real drivers do not tout inside the terminal. Walk past the vests.
- The airport’s official contracted taxi is Uber Airport, which holds the exclusive front-of-terminal concession through 2028. It’s a pre-ordered ride (not hop-in): you book in the app, get a PIN to give the driver, and meet the car at the marked official pick-up points directly outside T1 and T2 arrivals. Bolt works the same way from the rideshare zone.
- If you do take a street/rank taxi, insist on the meter and a printed receipt. The regulated maximum is roughly 60 CZK flagfall + 36 CZK/km, which comes to about 800 CZK / €32 for the ~20 km to the centre. Anyone quoting far above that is overcharging — you can refuse and report it to the city at [email protected].
Entry: EES is live, ETIAS is coming
Czechia is a full Schengen member, so if you’re arriving from another Schengen country (into T2) there’s no passport check at all. Arriving from outside Schengen (into T1), 2026 brings the biggest border change in years.
- EES (the Entry/Exit System) went live across Schengen on 10 April 2026. It replaces the old passport stamp with a digital record. On your first post-launch entry as a non-EU visitor, the border at T1 takes your fingerprints and a facial photo; later entries are quicker. The trade-off is queues: biometric enrolment adds time, and processing has run noticeably slower at some borders during the rollout — allow extra time at T1 passport control, especially at peak arrival banks.
- ETIAS is expected in late 2026 (Q4) and is not required yet. When it starts, visa-exempt non-EU travellers (UK, US, Canada, Australia and others) will need to apply online for a cheap travel authorisation before flying to Schengen. As of July 2026 there is nothing to buy or file for ETIAS — ignore any site charging you for it now.
- EU/EEA/Swiss nationals are unaffected by both and use the fast e-gates where available.
None of this touches Schengen-to-Schengen flights through T2 — the changes are purely at the non-Schengen border in T1.
Lounges
PRG is not a mega-hub, so the lounge scene is compact but decent, with options in both terminals and several on Priority Pass. The layout you’ll find in 2026:
- Terminal 1 — the Menzies Aviation Lounge and the lounge formerly branded the Mastercard Lounge (good runway views, café and quiet zones), both after passport control. Note that Mastercard ended its own free-cardholder access here on 1 July 2026, so don’t count on flashing a Mastercard for entry — check current Priority Pass / walk-in status in your lounge app before you rely on it.
- Terminal 2 — the ERSTE Premier Lounge (after security), the Schengen-side option, with the usual pay-in and card-scheme access.
Because lounge branding and card-scheme deals at PRG have shifted through 2026, treat any saved link as provisional and confirm access at the door or in the app. If you’re flying a full-service carrier in business, you’ll be directed to whichever lounge it contracts in your terminal.
Connections and minimum times
Prague is a point-to-point airport far more than a transfer hub, so most people won’t connect here — but if you do, the terminal split is the thing to understand. A connection that stays within T2 (Schengen-to-Schengen) is quick: no passport control, one security zone. A connection that crosses between non-Schengen and Schengen — say a London arrival into T1 continuing to a Schengen city from T2 — means clearing passport control (now with EES) and possibly a fresh security check, plus the 8–10 minute walk between buildings.
Official minimum connecting times are short for an airport this size, but they were set before EES added queue time at the border. The safe move for any connection that changes Schengen status is to give yourself well over an hour, and to confirm the exact minimum with your airline for through-checked bags — don’t self-connect on separate tickets on a tight window.
Food, money and practicalities
Food: both terminals have the usual cafés, a Czech-focused sit-down or two and the airside chains. It’s fine rather than a destination — prices are airport-inflated, so if you want a proper Czech meal (and a Pilsner Urquell that isn’t €8), have it in the city. Landside food courts are cheaper than airside.
Money: Czechia uses the Czech koruna (CZK), not the euro, though cards are accepted almost everywhere. Use a bank ATM over the standalone Euronet-style machines in the halls, and if any ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in euros or your home currency, decline and pay in CZK — the “dynamic currency conversion” rate is poor. The exchange booths at the airport give some of the worst rates in the country; change little or nothing here.
Practicalities: free Wi-Fi across both terminals; left-luggage and lockers are available landside; there are pharmacies, ATMs and SIM/eSIM sellers in arrivals. A prepaid Czech eSIM bought before you land is the least-hassle way to have data on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
Which bus goes from Prague Airport to the metro?+
Trolleybus 59 runs from both terminals to Nádraží Veleslavín on metro line A (green) in about 15 minutes — this replaced the old bus 119 in March 2024, so look for “59,” not “119.” Alternatively, bus 100 goes to Zličín on metro line B (yellow). Both cost a single 40 CZK 90-minute ticket that also covers the metro transfer.
How much is a ticket from Prague Airport to the city centre?+
A standard 90-minute PID ticket costs 40 CZK (about €1.60) and covers trolleybus 59 (or bus 100) plus the onward metro on one fare. A shorter 30-minute ticket is 30 CZK. The premium Airport Express bus to the main train station is 100 CZK and is bought separately. Buy from machines in arrivals or the PID Lítačka app before boarding.
What’s the difference between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at PRG?+
Terminal 2 handles Schengen flights (most of the EU, no passport control), and Terminal 1 handles non-Schengen flights (UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Gulf, Asia — with passport control). They adjoin and you can walk between them indoors in 8–10 minutes, with no shuttle bus. Check the terminal on your boarding pass, because check-in and bag drop are terminal-specific.
How do I avoid the Prague Airport taxi scam?+
Ignore anyone in a vest — especially marked “INFO” — who approaches you offering a taxi inside arrivals; they steer travellers to unofficial cars charging double or triple. The airport’s official taxi is Uber Airport, pre-ordered in the app with a PIN, picked up at the marked points outside T1/T2; Bolt works similarly. A legitimate metered ride to the centre is around 800 CZK (~€32). For value, the trolleybus or Airport Express beats any taxi.
Is EES in effect at Prague Airport, and does it slow things down?+
Yes. The EU’s Entry/Exit System has been live across Schengen since 10 April 2026. Non-EU travellers arriving from outside Schengen (into Terminal 1) give fingerprints and a facial photo on their first entry, which adds time to passport control. Later entries are faster, but allow extra buffer at T1, especially at busy arrival times. Schengen-to-Schengen flights through T2 are unaffected.
Do I need ETIAS to fly to Prague in 2026?+
Not yet. ETIAS — the online travel authorisation for visa-exempt non-EU visitors — is expected to launch in late 2026 (Q4) and is not required as of July 2026. There is nothing to apply or pay for right now, so disregard any website charging an “ETIAS fee” today. When it does start, you’ll apply online before your trip.
Is there a train or metro directly at Prague Airport?+
No — there’s no rail station at the airport itself. Every rail journey starts with a short bus: trolleybus 59 to metro line A, or bus 100 to metro line B. For a direct ride to the main train station (for onward trains), take the Airport Express bus (100 CZK). A dedicated airport rail link has long been discussed but is not open.
How early should I arrive for a flight at PRG?+
For Schengen flights from T2, roughly 2 hours is comfortable. For non-Schengen flights from T1, allow more — passport control now includes EES exit formalities, and the airport is mid-expansion with construction affecting flow. In summer peaks PRG has seen long security queues, so 2.5–3 hours for a T1 long-haul or busy-morning departure is prudent.
At a glance
| Codes | PRG / LKPR — Václav Havel Airport Prague (Ruzyně) |
| Terminals | T2 (Schengen) · T1 (non-Schengen) · adjoining, 8–10 min indoor walk, no shuttle |
| Distance to centre | ~17 km west; ~30–45 min by bus + metro |
| Cheapest to centre | Trolleybus 59 + metro A, 40 CZK (~€1.60), one 90-min ticket |
| Direct to main station | Airport Express bus, 100 CZK (~€4), non-stop |
| Official taxi | Uber Airport (pre-ordered, PIN), ~800 CZK to centre — ignore terminal touts |
| Entry | Schengen; EES live since 10 Apr 2026 (biometrics at T1); ETIAS expected Q4 2026 |
| Wi-Fi | Free, both terminals |
Before you fly
- 📊 Check what a good fare to Prague looks like — our price-check tool shows the typical deal range so you know a bargain when you see one.
- 🧳 Baggage checker — confirm your airline’s carry-on and checked allowance before you pack.
✈️ Planning the trip? Use our price-check tool to see the typical fare range to Prague before you book — so you can tell a real deal from a dud.
