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International Airports in the Czech Republic

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The air traffic infrastructure has also significantly expanded since the Czech Republic joined the European Union.

photo: sxc.hu

There are 91 civil airports in the Czech Republic today, which can be split into three groups: airports of nationwide importance (Prague-Ruzyně Airport), regional airports of major importance (Brno, Ostrava, Pardubice and Karlovy Vary) and regional airports of minor importance, so-called aeroclub and sports airports. The regional airports of major importance include public domestic, as well as international airports, which provide passengers, tourists and entrepreneurs with access to regions, being equipped with the required navigation equipment and runway systems, and offering services to passengers and airlines. 24 airports can pride themselves in their international airport status, of which seven are public; the others are non-public or military airports.

The Czech Republic has the biggest international airports in the following cities:

Prague
Brno
Ostrava
Karlovy Vary
Pardubice

Prague-Ruzyně Airport (map)

This is the biggest airport in the Czech Republic, being used by the majority of foreign clients. It was built in 1933–1937. It is designated for international and domestic traffic, regular and irregular flights. It is 17 km from Prague’s city center, situated in the northwest outskirts of the city. It takes about 20-25 minutes to get from the airport to the center by car or 55 minutes by public transport. You can use the Prague bus services, taxi, or rent a car to get from the airport.

The Prague international airport is divided into two parts: the “old” and “new” airport. There is a terminal for private flights (Terminal 3 General Aviation, abbreviated as T 3) in the old part, and terminals 1 and 2 (abbreviated as T 1 and T 2) in the new one.

Terminal 1 (T 1) – for intercontinental flights including flights from the UK, North America, Near East, Africa and Asia
Terminal 2 (T 2) – for flights from EU countries, participants in the Schengen Agreement.
Terminal 3 (T 3) – (originally Terminal South 1, 2) – used for VIP and private flights, official state visits, charter flights.

There are tourist information desks in the arrivals lobby, where English and German speaking personnel will give you the required information and assistance. City maps are handed out for free here. Ruzyně Airport provides standard services to passengers, including exchange offices, ATMs, electronic transport information stands, restaurants, shops and desks of agencies mediating car rental or hotel reservations.

The regular and irregular direct flights between Prague and 130 world destinations are operated by approximately 51 airlines and the airport checks in more than 11.6 million passengers a year. The national airline operator is Czech Airlines (abbreviated as ČSA). ČSA offers connections between Prague and most European capital cities and transit points in North America.

Brno-Tuřany Airport (map)

This airport was opened in 1954 and it is the second biggest international airport in the Czech Republic. In 2009, the Brno Airport checked in around half a million passengers. The airport is situated right by the D1 highway in the Brno – Olomouc direction, which makes it very easy to reach. It is 8 km from Brno’s city center and it takes about 20 minutes to get from the airport to the city center. Transport from the airport is ensured either by the Brno municipal mass transport buses (bus line 76 and night line 89), all night and day, or you can rent a car or take a taxi. The taxi cars park opposite the airport building.

The terminal of the Brno-Tuřany Airport consists of the Departures building and the Arrivals building, which are interconnected with a linking block. The Departures and Arrivals lobbies are divided into the “Schengen” part and “Non-Schengen” part. You will find the tourist information center, car rental offices and taxis upon leaving the Arrivals lobby.

Ostrava-Mošnov Airport (map)

It is situated about 20 km southwest of Ostrava, by the town of Mošnov. It was opened in 1959.
The airport checks in approximately 300,000 passengers a year. The Ostrava Airport operates regular flights, as well as charter flights in the tourism season.
Bus transport from the airport to the city of Ostrava is ensured by regular bus lines. The bus stop is situated opposite the airport building. You can also take a taxi or rent a car. Passengers who prefer traveling to/from the airport by train, can get on/off the train at the Studénka railway station and use the Airport Shuttle.

Karlovy Vary Airport (map)

This international public civil airport is situated 4 km southeast of Karlovy Vary’s center. It was opened in 1929. The airport is currently undergoing overall modernization, as part of which a new airport building was opened in 2009.
Number of checked in passengers a year: approximately 60,000

Pardubice Airport (map)

Pardubice International Airport was not used for civil purposes until 2005. It continues to operate military, as well as civil flights. The airport is situated at the southwest outskirts of Pardubice, 4 km from the city center. There are scheduled bus lines and taxis to/from the airport. The airport is situated in the center of East Bohemia and it is easy to reach from the entire East-Bohemian Region.