Václav Havel Airport Prague has two main terminals for regular passengers: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Getting your bearings is straightforward. Prague Airport Terminal 1 serves flights to countries outside the Schengen Area, while Prague Airport Terminal 2 handles flights to Schengen Area countries.
If you are unsure, always follow the information on your ticket, boarding pass or the departure boards at the airport itself. Prague Airport terminals are well signposted and within walking distance of each other, so any mistake can usually be corrected quickly. Even so, it pays to know in advance which terminal you need, especially if you are arriving by car, with children or with a lot of luggage.
Quick Overview of Prague Airport Terminals
As a general rule, you only need to know whether you are flying within or outside the Schengen Area:
| Terminal | Serves | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Flights outside the Schengen Area | Passport control, security check at individual gates, departures and arrivals outside the Schengen Area. |
| Terminal 2 | Flights within the Schengen Area | Central security check, departures and arrivals within the Schengen Area |
Prague Airport Terminal 1: Flights Outside the Schengen Area
Terminal 1 is designated for flights to countries outside the Schengen Area. These are typically long-haul flights and flights to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Turkey, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and other non-Schengen destinations. When travelling from Terminal 1, you should expect passport control.
In the departure hall you will find airline check-in desks, flight information, self-service kiosks for selected airlines, and restaurants, shops and other services. If you are travelling with hand luggage only and have already checked in online, you can follow the signs for Departures when you arrive and proceed directly to passport control. Unlike Terminal 2, security screening at Terminal 1 takes place at the individual gates.
The arrivals hall of Terminal 1 serves passengers arriving from non-Schengen countries. Here you will find baggage reclaim, customs, onward services, information points and onward transport options.
Prague Airport Terminal 2: Flights Within the Schengen Area
Terminal 2 handles flights to Schengen Area countries. This includes flights to most European Union countries such as Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Greece, Austria and Slovakia. When travelling within the Schengen Area, you do not usually go through passport control,
although you should always follow the instructions provided by the airport and your airline. At Terminal 2 you will find a departure hall with check-in desks, self-service kiosks, passenger services, shops and restaurants. If you have hand luggage only and have already checked in online, you can proceed directly to the central security checkpoint on arrival. This is located beyond the entrance to the non-public part of the terminal.
The arrivals hall of Terminal 2 serves flights from the Schengen Area. After landing, you proceed to baggage reclaim and then to the public area of the airport, where you will find onward transport options, taxis, buses and pickup options such as taxis, private drivers and shuttle services.
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How to Get Between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2
Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are part of the same airport complex, and you can easily walk between the public areas by following the airport signs. If you find you have arrived at the wrong terminal, follow the Terminal 1 / Terminal 2 signs and allow a few extra minutes.
For connecting flights, it is important to check whether your luggage has been checked through to your final destination. If not, you will need to collect it after landing and check it in again at the relevant terminal. The process also differs depending on your direction of travel: when moving between Schengen and non-Schengen flights, you may also need to go through passport control and security screening.
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What You Will Find at the Terminals
Both main terminals have departure and arrival areas, check-in desks, information services, restaurants, shops, toilets, ATMs and other passenger facilities. Prague Airport lists an overview of shops, restaurants and services on its website, organised by terminal and by whether they are located in the public area or beyond the security checkpoint.
Before your journey, it is also worth checking the terminal and check-in desk number for your specific flight. Depending on the airline, you may be able to use online check-in, self-service kiosks or self-service baggage drop. Standard check-in desks usually open around 2 hours before the scheduled departure time, although the exact time may vary depending on the carrier and destination.
How to Get to Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 by Car
When arriving by car, follow the signs for Prague Airport and then Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 depending on which terminal you are departing from. To drop off passengers quickly, you can use the drop-off areas at the terminals, but for a multi-day trip it is more practical to arrange parking in advance.
If you want to arrive by car without dealing with parking directly at the airport, you can use 1.Parking’s secure car park. The car park is located in Buštěhrad, a few minutes’ drive from Václav Havel Airport Prague. On arrival, park your car and take our free shuttle to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. The shuttle journey takes approximately nine minutes depending on current traffic and the specific terminal.
This option is particularly convenient if you are travelling with large suitcases or children, departing early in the morning or returning late at night. There is no need to deal with public transport connections with luggage or search for an available parking space at the last minute.
Summary: Where to Head at Prague Airport
Flying outside the Schengen Area? Head to Terminal 1. Flying within the Schengen Area? You will most likely need Terminal 2. Always check your terminal on your ticket, with your carrier or on the departure boards, as the specific flight information always takes priority.
Prague Airport terminals are clearly signposted, but when travelling by car it pays to know in advance which one you need. If you want to make getting to the airport easier, book your parking in advance,
drive to our car park and take the shuttle directly to your terminal.
Book your parking near Prague Airport in advance and start your journey to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 without unnecessary stress.
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