Prague Airport

Flew from Prague Terminal 1 (PRG-SVO). The terminal was so easy to go through - after operations of Schengen countries moved to Terminal 2 this one has been a real ease to be in and pass through. Check in a breeze passport control and security quick. There is a fast link at passport control by each gate. Shops are fine and fast food joints available. I passed from checkin to gate in less than 15 minutes. Definitely a great airport to fly through.

Pleasantly surprised by the modern well-maintained facilities at Praha. Very clean bathrooms. Flew in from Atlanta on Delta and had no trouble clearing customs in a matter of minutes. Took the Cedaz shuttle bus into city center. Stayed the night before our early AM Czech Air flight to Budapest at the adjacent Marriott Courtyard hotel which proved to be quite pleasant as well. Checked in the evening before with Czech Air so we were able to check our bags in a much shorter line in the AM. The airport staff were professional but not friendly.

I m very impressed how well PRG Airport has developed since my last visit in March 1989. This airport is far the best in Eastern Europe and many airports in Western Europe have difficulties to match the quality of PRG airport.

Well maintained clean and efficient BUT the most expensive I have ever visited in terms of cafes etc. We paid the equivalent of £28.00 for 5 coffees!

Was very impressed with this airport flew from Terminal 1 and found the staff at check-in very capable and fairly rattled through the queue very professionally. Had a walk round this terminal and no 2 as there was time and like one was impressed by the shops facilities toilets cafes food shops etc. The 119 bus to get to the airport was included in the local tram/U train ticket and the Line A underground to the terminus prior was as well

Ticket counters are in a very spacious area and a huge board identifies all flights. There were a decent number of shops inside the terminal although they did not open until 0600. Also another bonus was the police that I saw a few times which was very reassuring. It was the only airport in Europe where I saw security more than one time.

Prague is a good airport for the number of flights/passenger numbers. It is easily laid out both airside and landside with a reasonable choice of food/drink/shopping outlets. Unless you are completely laden with luggage the bus to Devicka Metro station is by far the cheapest public transport option. It drops you outside the Metro station and you can use the same ticket for both bus and metro - in fact valid for all public transport for 70min period - purchased inside the terminal building. Don't forget to validate your ticket on the bus using the yellow clicker machines. Trip to the other side of Prague took less than an hour both ways. Other thing to note is that only Czech Airlines seem to operate a continuous check in. Certainly EZY and BA often only open 2 hours before the flight departs so don't get there 3 hours early.

In the last 3 years I was using PRG about once a month. So far it was a good airport. But I start to change my mind. Only one immigration officer to leave Schengen for non-Schengen area in the morning so had to queue over 40 minutes and was lucky not to miss my connecting flight although there where 60 minutes between the flights. Then my baggage did not made the connection. On the other day I was concluding angered that the X-Ray security staff were sticking several paste-on labels all over the front of my suitcase. I esteem security but this was not only an annoyance but also damage of property. The used clue for these PRG paste-on labels is stickier than all the others I have got so far around the World. They also hold well but can be taken away without any major traces. PRG uses a glue you need solvent to remove it more or less. This has nothing to do with security not at all. If it would about 99% of all other airports would be insecure! If you want to get back to old excellence throw away these stickers and look for another manufacturer. And boost presence of immigration officers.

I flew from Terminal 1 to London. Only 5 minutes were spent at bag drop/check-in there were only three passengers in front of me at passport control. This airport is one of those airports where there are no facilities after security. I prefer to get through security as early as possible and use departure lounge facilities while waiting for the gate open - I personally feel this is better but considering how pleasant the experience was otherwise this is a minor complaint.

Unlike some airports the staff at the security checks and the immigration officers are friendly and well mannered. Upon arrival passengers holding a non-EU-passport are not allowed to use the EU- immigrations booth. The overall impression is good the new Terminal is clean and nice although I miss a restaurant with reasonable prices. I flew with Lufthansa with CSA-handling my bags arrived 19 minutes after on-block time while I arrived in Y-Class.