The jewel of Eastern Europe, as well as the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague has always been a cosmopolitan city so rich in history, culture and world-class sights that it is frequently selected by wealthy tourists or businessmen as a destination to land a private jet.
It is essentially a travel solution that allows those who take advantage of it to enjoy incredible benefits that can halve waiting times and avail themselves of personalized assistance at the airport, great flexibility on flight time slots, privacy and various conveniences.
Museums, theaters, historical sites, art galleries, and beautiful views overlooking the Vltava River-this is only part of what Prague has to offer, not to mention the long list of UNESCO World Heritage sites it offers tourists.
But what are the main sights in the Czech capital, and what about more info about chartering a private jet to get there?
Let's examine that and more in this guide!
Historical and geographical background on Prague
Prague lies in the west-central area of the Czech Republic, in the historic Bohemian area. For much of its territory, the town is traversed by the Vltava River, a waterway that sees the Berounka's tributary at the Lahovice district. In close proximity to the capital are several important European cities such as Brno, Linz, Wroclaw, Nuremberg and Dresden, to name a few. Also, like Rome, Prague is spread over several hills that allow some neighborhoods to be slightly elevated above others. The first people to settle in Prague were the Boi, a Celtic tribe that occupied the area but ceded its possession to a number of German and Slavic peoples who settled along with their craftsmen and merchants. Around the year 1000 Prague became part of the Holy Roman Empire and an important residence of the Dukes of Bohemia. In the mid-15th century the Hussite Crusades, revolutionary conflicts that opposed ecclesiastical power, began: this caused several losses in the capital and a consequent population decline. The famous Defenestration, that is, when the 2 imperial representatives were thrown down from the windows of the Royal Palace, took place in Prague afterwards: this event initiated the Thirty Years' War and the transfer of the capital of the Holy Roman Empire to Vienna. Both the 18th and 19th centuries were periods of enormous economic growth for Prague mainly due to the Industrial Revolution, which had the power to attract merchants and nobles from all over Europe. During World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire fell and the state of Czechoslovakia was founded with Prague as its own capital, while in 1939 the city was invaded by the Nazis; only after the end of World War II did the long communist regime begin, which saw several mostly unsuccessful attempts at uprisings. After the division of Czechoslovakia into 2 separate states, Prague became the capital of the Czech Republic and, even today, is a popular tourist destination for travelers.
What to see and do in Prague
The Old Town
Prague has much to offer tourists who come to admire it up close; undoubtedly, one of the highlights is the Old Town, an impressive neighborhood of historic buildings from different eras. It is here that wealthy tourists can delight in the abundance of tours and private visits to discover the city's main attractions such as Charles Bridge, St. Vitus Cathedral, or the Petrin Panoramic Tower, but also in the multiple luxury hotels among the capital's best that allow them to be just a stone's throw from Prague's beating heart. Not only that, the artery that cuts lengthwise through the old town is Parizska Street, a very elegant boulevard that can satisfy the shopping needs of VIP tourists with the high-fashion boutiques that line it, from Dolce & Gabbana to Gucci, via Dior, Rolex and Armani.
Prague's cultural events
There is certainly no shortage of annual festivals and kermesses in the Czech capital that attract a large number of international stars and celebrities from all over the world: just think, for example, of the International Spring Music Festival, an event devoted entirely to classical music and the performances that celebrate it. Not only that, Prague is also home to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, an event that film fans will not want to miss given the many screenings of the newest films being released. Also worth mentioning is the Dvorak Festival, an event by which the people of Prague celebrate Antonin Dvorak, a 19th-century composer born in Prague who has gone down in history for some of the masterpieces of classical music he created. Compositions by Mozart, Strauss, Schubert and many other artists are also played during the festival, delighting wealthy tourists who love classical music and opera. Finally, the International Jazz Festival is another annual event Prague hosts based on performances by international and national musicians such as the Duke Ellington Orchestra and many other stars of one of the world's oldest musical genres.
Prague's luxury hotels
Accommodation options in Prague are so plentiful that they manage to satisfy the needs of the most discerning visitors. First, mention should be made of the Aria Hotel Prague, a 5-star property that puts music at the center by featuring books and artwork centered around it. In fact, each suite features biographies of multiple artists such as Mozart and Elvis Presley, as well as a private music library to which guests can have access. Another luxury accommodation is undoubtedly the Hotel Le Palais Art, a sophisticated yet elegant hotel with very luxurious furnishings, digital artwork and a spa center with as many as 20 different treatments. Finally, the Four Seasons Prague, a hotel belonging to the famous hotel chain that offers wonderful views of the castle and boasts a full-service spa.
Climate and best time to visit Prague
Prague's prevailing climate is continental, with very long, cold winters and mild but very sunny summers. The spring period in the Czech capital is characterized by quite unstable weather with very frequent rains interspersed with sunny days; in any case, temperatures settle around 15 to 20°C especially in April and May, values ready to rise once summer breaks out. From June onward, the weather warms up, reaching peaks of over 30°C during the hottest days but still hovering around 27°C on average. It is a very pleasant and enjoyable atmosphere that allows tourists to roam the length and breadth of the city strolling through its streets and attending the various events organized. In autumn, Prague offers striking and picturesque views in warm colors thanks to the tree foliage that begins to fall and accumulate on the streets or in the city's parks; despite the many days of pleasant weather, from October onward the weather cools down and rainfall returns. Prague's winter is definitely the coldest season: snowfalls are there and they are also heavy, while temperatures frequently drop below freezing. However, the atmosphere that prevails in the city is truly atmospheric as it consists of the traditional Christmas markets, the colorful objects arranged on them, the illuminated houses and the scent of Christmas food noticeable on the streets. The best time to charter a private jet to Prague is one of the in-between seasons, with a small predilection toward spring, an ideal segment of the year due to its pleasant temperatures and reduced tourist crowds.
How and why to fly by private jet to Prague
Prague International Airport (ICAO code LKPR) was opened in 1973 and, at that time, was largely sufficient to handle civilian air traffic. However, as time passed, the passengers passing through it each year tripled, necessitating the extension and renovation work carried out in the following decades. In the late 1980s, in fact, the airport's main terminal saw major renovations and modernization, effectively expanding routes and also adding a dedicated general aviation terminal to accommodate private flights. Even today, Terminal 3 has a separate section equipped with a hangar for private aircraft and a dedicated runway for helicopters; therefore, charter passengers can enjoy a quality service that provides them with a total of 9 rooms including VIP lounges and meeting rooms. Not only that, individual VIP treatment is offered in the private terminal including private customs checks, separate check-in operations for added discretion, free WiFi, showers, stores, dining options, and concierge services. Among the various services offered are also transfers in the direction of the city center, which is about 20 kilometers from the airport: passengers on private flights can take advantage of the service of cabs, rental cars with or without a driver, and limousines that can accompany tourists to the taxiway or anywhere in the city, as well as the helicopter service that takes the passenger to the center in just a few minutes.
How much does it cost to fly private to Prague
As a major logistical hub, Prague is well connected to several European capitals such as Paris, which is about 1 hour and 45 minutes away; the rental of a Light Jet costs about €9,000, that of a Medium Jet is about €16,000, and that of a Large Jet is around €24,000. A little further away is London, which can be reached by a flight of about 2 hours: again it is possible to hire a Light Jet at a cost of about €10,000, a Medium Jet at €18,000 and a Large Jet at about €26,000. Among the most common routes is the one connecting Prague to Amsterdam, which is about 1 hour and 30 minutes away by air; it is possible to opt for a Light Jet at a cost of €8,000, while the prices for a Medium Jet and Large Jet are about €14,000 and €21,000, respectively.
The best jet to fly to Prague
Among the light jets best suited to reach Prague is the Cessna Citation CJ2, an aircraft capable of flying at over 800 km/h with a range of over 3000 km. Its cabin is roomy enough to accommodate 7 passengers and for everyone to get comfortable and enjoy the flight. From the same company is the Citation VII, Medium Jet that increases the attainable speed to about 850 km/h and the range to 3500 km. Also increasing in size is the interior cabin, which can accommodate up to 8 passengers giving them ample head and shoulder room and offering comfortable seats and sofas on board. An absolutely reliable Large Jet is the Embraer Lineage 1000, an aircraft that allows as many as 16 guests to reach Prague in a short time regardless of their point of departure thanks to its more than 900 km/h top speed and 6,000 km range.
The most frequent flights to and from Prague
Below of the most frequent links to Prague:
