Czech- In! (Ruzyne Prague International Airport (PRG))

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Product:	Ruzyne Prague International Airport (PRG)
Date:	01/07/01 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Close to city centre, helpful staff

Disadvantages: A bit small (at least it was in 1996)

It's been quite a while since I passed through Prague's Ruzyne airport. I went to Prague in 1996. I'm sure the airport has changed a bit since then.
But I was impressed at the time so I felt I'd just like to give the airport a thumbs up on dooyoo. Feel free to add your comments! I'm sure some of you out there have been there more recently and can give a more up to date report.

The airport is located in the Ruzyne district, approximately 12km from the city centre. There is very good local transport to get to and from the airport. There are local taxis but we found the best way into the city was on the bus services.
Cedaz buses run once an hour and drop you off at Dejvicka and Namesti Republicky metro stations, where you can get a metro into the city centre. CSA Czech airlines also run a bus service directly from the airport into the city centre.
For a concise guide to arriving in Prague and getting around check out the website of the English language newspaper 'The Prague Post'. There is also a good basic guide to Czech and other useful touristy things.
http://www.praguepost.cz/tourist/tourbasc.html

Overall, the airport was small but well laid out. The check in area was spacious, and there were several car hire companies and hotel booking services in arrivals. There were small but nice bars and restaurants upstairs as well as a few customary gift shops and newsagents. Just your average airport really. But we found it above average when we ran into a bit of hassle with our luggage.
(Sorry if I wander off a little but the following tale does have a point to it!)
We travelled with British Midland and British Airways, we had a connecting flight at Heathrow. Our bags were checked through all the way to Prague so we didn't collect them again at Heathrow, they were to be swapped onto the BA aircraft. However with only 45 minutes to spare between flights, the bags never made it to the Prague flig
ht. Even though it was the same terminal. So, we're all strapped in, taking off for Prague and our luggage stayed on to have a little holiday in London.

Anyway, we landed in Prague safely. At the time Ruzyne airport was a fairly bland looking 1960's style concrete blob, maybe it still is. But inside it was pleasant enough.
The immigration staff were friendly and it was a straighforward business getting the passports checked.

The baggage reclaim area was small at the time, only a few conveyor belts. But it was easy to find and there were seats all around. So there we stood waiting for our non-existent bags to be offloaded the BA 757. It was a slightly depressing start to a holiday of a lifetime but the staff at the airport came into their own!
After everyone else left we realised our luggage was not going to materialise and went to the counter nearby. There, in perfect English, the local staff pressed a few keys and confirmed that yes, our bags were sitting happily in Heathrow. My Czech was restricted to trying to say hello in a completely dismal accent so it was a relief that everyone spoke perfect English. It's a bit unnerving in a totally new place to run into problems and I have to credit the airport staff for being so helpful and reassuring. In the end, the bags came on the next flight out from London and were driven out to our hotel free of charge the next day.

So thumbs up to Prague Ruzyne airport. It's basic and small but they sure know what they're doing!

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