Prague Václav Havel Airport - Spotting Gude

Prague Václav Havel Airport – Spotting Gude

March 8, 2019 - last modified on August 21, 2024

The Prague airport (PRG/LKPR) Letiste Vaclava Havla Praha is the biggest airport in Czech republic handling 16 797 006 passengers in 2018. It is a hub of Czech airlines (CSA) and Travel service/Smartwings. The Prague airport is served by many European, a few Americans, and some Asians airliners – Aeroflot, Air France, KLM, Eurowings, EasyJet, Ryanair, Swiss, Lufthansa, Austrian, Rossiya, TAP, LOT, Vueling, Jet2, Alitalia, Qatar, Emirates, Hainan, China Easter. The American operators as Delta, American airlines, Air Canada Rouge, Air Transat in the summer only. The regular cargo jets include Turkish cargo, Qatar cargo, China airlines cargo. There are three terminals there. The T1 (non Shengen flights), the T2 (Shengen flights) and the T3 (private jets or government flights).

Planespotting is tolerated by police and airport security. Only during ELAL flights you may be questioned by the ELAL employees. If you cooperate usually there is not a problem even with photographing of their aircraft. You can reach Prague centre by bus plus metro within 30 min. and use following buses to reach the metro stations: 100 (B line), 119 (A line), 191 (A and B line). The bus 119 is the best and easiest choice how to get in the city of Prague. The spotting locations are around the whole airport. Some of them can be reached by foot or bus, some (especially when the RWY06 or 12 is in use) require a car. If you come with your own car you will have to partk only at official parking lots in case you want make your photos nearby the terminals. These parking lots are not free. You will pay around 60 CZK (2.50 Eur) per hour. All focal lenghts here are described for a !

Air scanners are not prohibited and here are most popular frequencies: ATIS 122,160 MHz, Delivery 120,060 MHz, Ground 121,910 MHz, Tower 134,560 MHz, Departure 120,530 MHz.

Some useful links:

Here you can find a list of unusal visitors and expected arrivals for the coming days:
The common PRG timetable can be seen here.
A PRG webcam can be found here. The cam is pointed in the the RWY 24 direction.
Information about Prague transportation
Bus timetables (in Czech)
Regional bus timetables (in Czech)

Written by Tomasz Cibulka, Petr Šimáček, Timo Frisch and Marek Horák. Last Update: July 2024 – Spots 3, 4 and 11

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
06/24	3.715m (12.188 ft) Concrete
12/13	2.438 m (7.999 ft) Concrete
Terminals
Terminal 1, Concourses A/B	Non schengen flights
Terminal 2, Concourses C/D	Schengen flights
Spotting Information
Ladder	In general a ladder is not necessary but at some locations it can help. There are many official photo holes in the fence!
Car/Public Transport	Some locations can be reached by bus, some (especially when the RWY06 or 12 is in use) require a car. Beside the terminals use only the official parking lots in case you have your own car. Note that you have too walk long distances from parking/bus stop to the spotting locations so if you have a bike, you will save some time.
Restrooms	There are a lot of shops and restaurants in T1 and T2 terminals. Also you can find some shops/minimarkets/restaurants neaby some spotting locations.
Drinks/Food	Everything from a hamburger to the traditional Czech cuisine in T1 and T2 terminals.There are also some stores (like Billa) or pubs at some spotting locations.
Hotels	There are hotels like Marriott or Holiday inn nearby the T1 terminal.
Season	Prague airport is busy throughout the entire year, airlines vary from a season. The best time is from spring till autmn with a lot of additional holiday charter flights.
Runway Usage
General Info	It is possible to check which RWY is used here (under ATIS -> ATIS LKPR). All flights use the same RWY for all terminals. Usually RWY 06/24 used 90% of the time and mostly direction 24. But if this one is in use, some arrivals/departures of private flights from/to 12/30 are possible (just a few).
06/24	Used for landings and arrivals in both directions to/from all terminals.
12/30	Rarely in use. Used for landings and arrivals in both directions to/from all terminals.
04/22 (closed)	The RWY 22 nearby the GAT now used as a parking place for bizjets/government aircraft or aircraft resting at the airport for longer time.

The viewing terrace - different views

WHERE	It is located between T1 and T2 terminal on the 1st floor. You will make your photos through a coloured glass (often dirty).

WHAT	The stands 14-21, the TWYs H and G, movements on RWY 06/24 ( but too far).

TIME	Till 2 p.m. in sumer, till 4 p.m in winter.

MISC.	It is hard to have a good picture of far aircraft due to possible heat haze. There is a cafe beside the terrace and the Billa store on the ground floor. The terrace can be closed during the ELAL flights. The terrace is free of charge. 18-300 mm depending on a distance and aircraft.

FOCAL LENGTH	18-300 mm depending on a distance and aircraft.

Parking at Menzies - 24 arrivals and departures, taxiway

WHERE	To get there go out of the terminal T1 and turn left. Then follow the airport fence untill you see a blue building with Menzies logo (it takes up 3-4 minutes). There is a parking lot in front of the building . Go to the fence. There are some official holes in the fence for easy spotting.

WHAT	You will see aircraft on the TWYa A and Z, landings/departures on/from the RWY 24 and the cargo aircraft will pass along because a cargo terminal is on your right hand side. It is possible to make photos of aircraft departing the RWY 06 if in use. Taking photos of cargo aircraft in front the cargo terminal its hard because of the obstacles as containers and cars.

TIME	Till 2-3 p.m. in sumer, till 3-4 p.m. in winter.

MISC.	It costs 60 CZK (2.50 Eur) per hour in case you park your car there. There is no shop or restaurant there. You can expect a problem with heat haze soon there especially in summer (10 a.m.). You can be checked by the ELAL employees during their flights at this place.

FOCAL LENGTH	(24)-70-400 mm. Sometimes aircraft uses a TWY AA (e.g. after de-icing) that is very close to the fence. Then a short lens is necessary.

Hill behind Fueling Station - 24 arrivals

WHERE	There is a hill behind the fueling station, next to the cargo building. From the parking of spot 2 lot continue straight on to the end of the street Laglerove. Turn left and walk all along the perimeter fence to get behind the building. There is a hill where you can stay. Alternative parking is the nearby gas station.

WHAT	Aircraft landing on RWY 24 in the air. There are some official holes in the airport fence and with a three steps ladder you can make photos of aircraft arriving into the cargo terminal or planes lining up runway 24.

TIME	Till 2-3 p.m. in sumer, till 3-4 p.m. in winter.

MISC.	There is no shop or restaurant there. There is a petrol station opposite the location but it is dangerous to get there because you will have to cross a busy road that leads to the terminals. If police catch you crossing the road you will be fined. You can expect some agricultural works at this place.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-300mm 38M = 110mm; CRJ = 200mm

Offical spotting hill - 24 arrivals and departures, 06 departures

WHERE	To get there take a bus 319. The bus stops are in front of the terminals T1 and T2. You should get off at station Knezeves, Stara hospoda. Then go straight on up the hill untill you reach the official spotting hill. By car from the terminal T2 follow streests Schengenska -> Aviaticka, the first roundabout straight on the second roundabout turn towards Chomutov. You will reach a highway. Follow it about 1.4 km and then take the first exit (Tuchomerice, Knezeves). At a “T” shape crossing turn right and then go under the highway and turn left right after the underpass. Then follow the road untill you reach a roundabout. You can park your car at the roundabout free of charge. Do not drive to the directly to the hill as police check frequently.

WHAT	Aircraft landing/departing on/from the RWY 24 or departing the RWY 06. Aircraft on TWYs A and Z (quite far but possible to shoot) prior departure from the RWY 24.

TIME	From 4 p.m. in sumer. In winter you will face the sun.

MISC.	On sunny summer days the hill can become very crowded and in this case you can move to #5 wich offers much more space. There is a pub nearby the Knezeves, Stara hospoda bus stop. You can have good quality food and Czech beer. Also there is a minimarket 200 meters away from the bus stop on Na stare silnici street.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm A20N = 150mm; A321 = 110mm; Norwegian 737 = 190mm

Football pitch - 24 arrivals and departures, 06 departures

WHERE	Very close and an alternative to spot 4 if its crowded. From the bus stop Knezeves, Stara hospoda towards to the airport fence there are three ways. Take the middle called Na hristi and go to the airport fence. You will walk along a football pitch. Walk a little further and on your right hand side there is a very small hump to photograph over the fence. Since 2019 a new airport fence has been built. This new fence limits possibilities for making photos. By car just park at spot 4 and walk through the fields to the location.

WHAT	Almost same sight as at spot 4 but plus touchdowns.

TIME	From 4 p.m. in sumer. In winter you will face the sun.

MISC.	There is a pub nearby the Knezeves, Stara hospoda bus stop. You can have good quality food and Czech beer. Also there is a minimarket 200 meters away from the bus stop on Na stare silnici street. Since 2019 a new airport fence has been built. This new fence limits possibilities for making photos. Thus a ladder would help but there can be a lot of photographers. It is very popular place among spotters. You can find a place that suits you of course.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm (FULL FRAME DSLR)

Field Road - 06/24 all movements

WHERE	The same as spot 4. From the bus stop Knezeves, Stara hospoda towards to the airport fence there are three ways. Take one on your right and walk about 1 km. It is forbidden to go there by car so park at #4. You should find official holes in the airport fence or find a place that suits you if you have a ladder. You will be very close to the RWY 06/24.

WHAT	All movements on the RWY 06/24.

TIME	From 4 p.m. in sumer. In winter you will face the sun.

MISC.	There is a pub nearby the Knezeves, Stara hospoda bus stop. You can have good quality food and Czech beer. Also there is a minimarket 200 meters away from the bus stop on Na stare silnici street.

FOCAL LENGTH	A310 = 80mm; Smartwings 738 = 120mm

Football pitch of TJ Sokol Dobroviz - 12 arrivals

WHERE	To get there take a bus 319. The bus stops are in front of the terminals T1 and T2. You should get off at station Dobroviz, Obecni urad. Walk back 50 meters an there is the football pitch on your right hand side. By car from terminal T2 follow streests Schengenska -> Aviaticka, the first roundabout straight on the second roundabout turn towards Chomutov. You will reach a highway. Follow it about 1.4 km and then take the first exit (Tuchomerice, Knezeves). At a “T” shape crossing turn right and then go under the highway and go to the second “T” shape crossing. Turn left there and continue throught the village of Knezeves. Still follow the main road and right behind a rail crossing turn left. Then go about 1.6 km and turn right at a “Y” shape crossing. After 700 meters you will see the football pitch on your left hand side. You can park there free of charge.

WHAT	Aircraft landing on the RWY 12 in the air.

TIME	From 1 p.m. till 3-4 p.m. in winter and from 2 p.m. in summer.

MISC.	There is a minimarket Prubezna 192, Dobroviz. It is located about 300 meters from the football pitch.

FOCAL LENGTH	200-400 mm (FULL FRAME DSLR)

Field - 12 arrivals

WHERE	Start at spot 7. Then walk about 150 meters back and there is a footpath on your right hand side. Follow this footpath about 600 meters and you will reach an open space, where you can choose a position that suits you.

WHAT	Aircraft landing on the RWY 12 in the air (a little closer than at spot 7).

TIME	From 1 p.m. till 3-4 p.m. in winter and from 2 p.m. in summer.

MISC.	There is nothing directly at this spot.

FOCAL LENGTH	150-300 mm

Field near Amazon warehouse - 06 arrivals

WHERE	To get there take a bus 319. The bus stops are in front of the terminals T1 and T2. You should get off at station Dobroviz, Obecni urad (same as spot 7). Walk further along Prazska street untill a crossing where turn left to Kladenska street and follow the street. Walk about 350 meters and cross a train crossing and continue on K Amazonu street. Walk about 1 km until you reach a footpath on your left hand side that leads towards the airport fence. Walk another 150 meters and you will reach it. Here you can choose a place that most suits you. By car the same as spot 7 and continue Prazska -> Kladenska -> K Amazonu on foot. But there is a problem. Since the new Amazom depots were built a parking has been prohibited in that area. The best way is to leave your car in the village of Dobroviz and reach this spot by foot.

WHAT	Aircraft landing on the the RWY 06.

TIME	The whole day, just switch over in summer.

MISC.	There is nothing vicinity of this spot. You can expect some agricultural works at this place. Parking is not allowed there.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300 mm according aircraft and place you have chosen

Airport Fence - 06 line-up

WHERE	After reaching spot 9 walk about 600 meters along the airport fence till some official spotting holes.

WHAT	Aircraft lining up the RWY 06 via TWY F.

TIME	From 1 p.m. till 4 p.m. in summer.

MISC.	There is nothing vicinity of this spot. You can expect some agricultural works at this place. Parking is not allowed there.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-200 mm

VGP park Jenec - 06 arrivals

WHERE	To get there take a bus 319. The bus stops are in front of the terminals T1 and T2. You should get off at station Jenec, Nadrazi. From this bus stop walk back about 200 meters and at a “T” shape crossing turn left to Lidicka street. As soon as you are behind the two rail crossings you can choose a place that suits you. By car from terminal T2 follow streests Schengenska -> Aviaticka, at a roundabout take its first exit (or keep riding on your right hand side) and join a highway. Ride on it about 4 km and search for Karlovy Vary signs. Take an exit towards Karlovy Vary. Then ride another 6 km untill you reach the exit towards Houston, Jenec. Exit the highway and at the first roundabout take its first exit. Continue to the second roundabout and take its third exit. After 200 meters you will reach the position. But do not park your car directly there. Entry to the road leading to the logistics park is prohibited so park as marked on the map and walk back.

WHAT	Landings on the RWY 06 in the air.

TIME	Morning shots till 12 a.m. in summer, till 3-4 p.m. in winter.

MISC.	There are several restaurants in the village of Jenec. It is recommended to park your car at village of Jenec.

FOCAL LENGTH	E175 = 170mm; A319 = 150mm

Former Runway 22 - parking

WHERE	Along road K letisi where the former runway 22 is. Take a bus 191 from the terminals T1 or T2 and get off at Na padesatniku station. This is a request stop. Then walk back 150 meters along a concrete wall untill you reach the airport fence.

WHAT	Aircraft parking on old RWY 22. This parking is usually used by bizjets or government aircraft so some policemen can be around the fence.

TIME	Good only for morning shots in winter/summer.

MISC.	There is no shop or restaurant at this place. Aircraft are parking quite far so you can expect some heat haze soon. Also there can be some obstacles as stairs or cars that will ruin your photos. Don´t stay too long there. Just make the picture and then leave if going by car.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-400 mm

Hangar B - biz jet ramp

WHERE	Take a bus 191 or 119 from the terminals T1 or T2 and get off at Terminal T3 station. This is a request stop. You will see a parking lot behind a park and there is the airport fence behind it. You can see some bizjets parking in front of a hangar. This spot is at the T3 terminal that is used also for the governmet or VIP flights so you can be asked to leave this place by police or airport security employees. Photos have to made through the mesh.

WHAT	The bizjets in front of the hangar B.

TIME	Good only for morning shots in winter/summer.

MISC.	There is no shop or restaurant at this place. You can be asked to leave this place by police or airport security employees.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-200 mm

Obchodni centrum Sestka - taxiway L

WHERE	Take a bus 191 or 119 from the terminals T1 or T2 and get off at K letisi (a request bus stop of 119) or Obchodni centrum Sestka (a bus stop of 191) station. Walk along the Obchodni centrum Sestka untill the airport fence. There are no holes so either you photograph through the mesh or you bring a ladder to this location. By car from terminal T2 follow streests Schengenska -> Aviaticka, at a roundabout take its first exit (or keep riding on your right hand side) and join a highway. Ride on it about 2.2 km and take the first exit (Praha-Centrum/Ruzyne/Terminal 3). At the first traffic lights turn left and at the second traffic lights again left towards to Obchodni centrum Sestka. There is a parking lot on a roof of this shopping centre that is free of charge.

WHAT	Aircraft on a TWY L prior departure from the RWY 30. You are close to the taxiway.

TIME	Sunrise till 11 a.m. in summer.

MISC.	Obchodni centrum Sestka is the shopping centre with many shops and Czech or Chinese restaurants. You can find a big food market there as well. You can expect some agricultural works at this place.

FOCAL LENGTH	24-50 mm

Farm Road - 30 arrivals

WHERE	The same as spot 14. From it walk about 350 meters along the airport fence or from the shopping center along the field road.

WHAT	Aircraft landing the RWY 30 in the air.

TIME	Sunrise till 11 a.m. in summer.

MISC.	Obchodni centrum Sestka is the shopping centre with many shops and Czech or Chinese restaurants. You can find a big food market there as well. You can expect some agricultural works at this place.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-200 mm

Farm road - 30 arrivals

WHERE	The same as spot 14/15. From there you have to walk 1 km along the airport fence on farm roads and footpaths until you have reached a tree as shown on the picture below..

WHAT	Aircraft landing the RWY 30 in the air.

TIME	Good for afternoon shots from 1 p.m till sunset.

MISC.	There is nothing directly at this place. You can expect some agricultural works here and some shadow from a tree..

FOCAL LENGTH	70-200 mm

Crash Gate - 12/30 all movements, taxiway L

WHERE	The spot is very far from a bus stop or car parking and you need to walk for 50-55 minutes on farm tracks to get there! You can´t drive there with a car! Take a bus 100 from the terminals T1 or T2 and get off at Zlicin end station (metro B – yellow line). From Zlicin station take a bus 306 (a regional bus) and get off at Hostivice station. This station if in front of a Lidl supermarket. Walk along Cihlarska street under a railway bridge and then go up the hill. As soon as reach the airport fence after 1.8 km turn left. After another 500 meters you will reach a gate. You can make your photo through the openings in this gate. By car from terminal T2 follow streests Schengenska -> Aviaticka, at a roundabout take its first exit (or keep riding on your right hand side) and join a highway. Ride on it about 2.2 km and take the first exit (Praha-Centrum/Ruzyne/Terminal 3). At the first traffic lights turn right and at the second traffic lights turn right to Drnovska street. Follow this street down the hill and after a railway crossing up the hill untill you reach the third traffic lights. Then turn right to Karlovarska street. Follow it about 550 meters and look for Hostivice signs. You will see a silver building with ORION PRAHA logo on your right hand side. The road starts turning left there but you have to turn right immediately after the silver building. Continue straight on about 3 km to the traffic lights i the village of Hostivice. Then after another 150 meters you will see the Lidl supermarket on your left hand side. You can park your car there and use the way as descriped above.

WHAT	Aircraft o the RWY 12/30 and on the TWY L.

TIME	From 2 p.m. till sunset.

MISC.	You can find several restaurants and shops including the Lidl supermarket in the village of Hostivice. But there is nothing directly at this spot. You can expect heat haze especially in summer.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-200 mm

Crash Gate - 30 departures, 12/30 all movements

WHERE	The spot is very far from a bus stop or car parking and you need to walk for 50-55 minutes on farm tracks to get there! You can´t drive there with a car! See desription for spot 17 but continue for about 650 meters on the farm road. There is another crash gate where you can make your photo through the openings.

WHAT	Aircraft departing the RWY 30 and movements on the RWY 12/30.

TIME	From 2 p.m. till sunset.

MISC.	You can find several restaurants and shops including the Lidl supermarket in the village of Hostivice. But there is nothing directly at this spot. You can expect heat haze especially in summer.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-200 mm

Official Spotting Hill - 24 arrivals, 06 departures, 12 arrivals, taxiway F

WHERE	The spot is very far from a bus stop or car parking and you need to walk for 50-55 minutes on farm tracks to get there! You can´t drive there with a car! From the previous spots 17 and 18 continue on the farm track northwards for another 600-700 meters until you reach another official spotting hill and some photo holes in the fence.

WHAT	Aircraft on the TWY F after landing on the RWY 24 or prior departure the RWY 06. Landings on the RWY 12.

TIME	From 2 p.m. till sunset.

MISC.	You can find several restaurants and shops including the Lidl supermarket in the village of Hostivice. But there is nothing directly at this spot. You can expect heat haze especially in summer.

FOCAL LENGTH	738 = 140mm; Sovereign = 200mm

Crash Gate and Photo Holes at a Field - 24 arrivals and departures, 06 departures

WHERE	There is a crash gate for touchdowns on 06. It is located near to spot #8. From spot 8 go by foot down to the fence, there you will see a gate for cars entering the airside, which could be use for touchdowns on 06. You can stay there or just go along the airport fence in direction of rwy 24 for about 3-5 mins and then you reach the holes in the fence. Ladder is only necessary at the gate for touchdowns pictures on 06. Not really for 24 takeoffs as there you have holes in fence, but might be very useful as some aircraft pulling up in front you and some later.

WHAT	Aircraft pulling up from rwy 24 as well as aircraft landing and slowing down on rwy 24, or touch downs and departures on rwy 06.

TIME	From 4pm in summer. In winter you will face the sun. During summer the heathaze might be a problem for takeoff shots.

MISC.	There’s no food, drinks or restrooms as you’re in the middle of the field.

FOCAL LENGTH	38M = 150mm; IB A321 = 120mm

Photo Holes at a Field - taxiways, 06 arrivals and departures, 24 departures

WHERE	This spot is located near to spot 19. Just follow the airport fence in direction of rwy 06 and you’ll meet there along the fence a lot of holes for taking photos. Ladder is not necessary, but might be very useful.

WHAT	Aircraft vacating on the nearby taxiway and taking off from rwy 24. Aircraft landing and taxiing for departure from rwy 06.

TIME	In winter whole day and in summer from morning until 4-5pm. Heat haze is not problem there, as you’re very close to the aircraft.

MISC.	You can find several restaurants and shops including the Lidl supermarket in the village of Hostivice. But there is nothing directly at this spot.

FOCAL LENGTH	18-400mm

Terminal 1 Parking C - 24 arrivals, 06 heavy departures

WHERE	This is spot “Parking C” is located opposite the side of Terminal 1 on 6th floor, where you have great overview of apron and all movements for rwy 24, means landing, taxiing for take off or for stand. This spot is easily accesible by foot from bus station “Terminal 1”, after you leave bus just look behind you, there will be a big parking house. Cross the street and enter main entry of Parking C. After you will entry the entry hall, there will be stairs on your left and two elevators on your right. Go to the 6th floor and then go straight along the way to the end and that’s it.

WHAT	All movements when rwy 24 is in use and very late rotations out of rwy 06 as you are almost at the end of the rwy.

TIME	In winter this location is great for whole day as sun dont cross the other side of rwy and you are close to terminal in case of cold weather and during summer from morning until 4-5pm.

MISC.	Everything is located in terminal across the street.

FOCAL LENGTH	24-400mm depending on what you want to shoot.

Update MAR 2019: Recently some birdnets have been installed, which disturb the shooting a bit. You can still take shots through these netwholes, but it is more difficult now:

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Timo Frisch

10 months ago

I just returned from a 5 Day Spotting Trip to Prague. It’s a nice Airport with some very exotic Airlines! Definitely worth a visit, even tho some Spots are very remote and require up to 1 Hour of Walking, but it is worth it, trust me!