Prague Airport ranks among Europe’s most expensive airports for shopping, food, and beverages. Its high prices discourage some travellers, who instead choose to depart from nearby airports in Germany or Austria—where parking is cheaper and service often superior. Airport prices in Prague far outstrip average Czech earnings and frequently exceed those charged at comparable airports elsewhere in Europe.
Restaurants
Despite the arrival of fast‑food chains, food prices at Prague Airport remain high. KFC, Burger King, Bageterie Boulevard, and Subway all charge more than their city‑centre outlets, yet still rank among the airport’s cheapest—and busiest—dining options. The only other venue offering reasonable prices is Restaurace Runway (formerly Restaurant Praha), a buffet‑style eatery serving traditional Czech fare primarily to airport staff and crew but open to the public. Its lunch menu starts at CZK 250, making it a relative bargain compared to many airport restaurants, some of which are now more expensive than in previous years. For example, a beer at the Pilsner Urquell Original Restaurant costs CZK 119, and most cafés and bars charge about CZK 120 for 0.2 litres of water or a cup of coffee—roughly double city‑centre prices. As a result, passenger interest in airport dining is low; restaurants and cafés are often nearly empty, frequented mostly by a handful of foreign travellers and very few locals.
Parking
Parking at Prague Airport might also get expensive. If you choose short-term parking after the 10-minute grace period, a further 15 minutes is charged at 100 CZK. It is about four times more than you would pay in the city centre. Other, more distant, long-term parking lots are a much cheaper option.
Passenger trends:
Ticket sellers say fewer Czechs are flying from Prague Airport. Instead, more people are choosing to depart from Vienna or Munich, where tickets cost less and service is generally better.
Services
Prague Airport’s policy of renting empty spaces for the highest possible profit leaves dissatisfied customers forced to purchase a refreshment at higher prices and many empty spaces for shops and kiosks. The Airport has one of Prague’s highest owner fluctuation rates, as shops are forced to put prices up to pay rent (plus usually also 10% from turnover). This means they often fail to make a profit and, within a few months, are forced to leave the airport. The high prices cause difficulties for travel agents, retailers, restaurants and airlines. For example, in case of a delay, according to law, they must give out refreshment vouchers valued at CZK 200. That is not even enough for water and a sandwich. Additionally, some low-cost airlines choose other EU airports to fly to because of Prague Airport’s other rather high service fees and taxes.
Ryanair’s view:
Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jason McGuinness, summed up Prague Airport’s main problem: “Unlike other airports, Prague has no plan for the future. The airport is empty, and its fee structure discourages airlines.”