Monday, July 25, 2022

Fly to Prague early next year for around $450

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL


From castles to beer to museums (including museums about beer!) there are a number of reasons to visit Prague. Even before the dollar grew stronger against the euro, Prague was distinctly more affordable than other parts of Europe for U.S. travelers once on the ground. For that reason, it’s always exciting when you can find a good deal on airfare.

For those travelers who are thinking ahead to early 2023, there are good deals available on airfare to the capital city of the Czech Republic.

From January through March — a time period encompassing spring break for many travelers — you can find round-trip flights to Prague starting at around $450.

With a long list of hotels available within walking distance of the city’s biggest landmarks, from properties you can book on points to truly local hotels like the Hotel Cerny Slon right in Old Town Square, you’ll have no shortage of places to stay and sights to see once in the city.

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astronomical clock prague
The Astronomical Clock in Prague’s Old Town Square. (Photo by Atlantide Phototravel/Corbis Documentary Collection/Getty Images)

Deal basics

Airlines: TAP Air Portugal and LOT Polish Airlines. Routes: Chicago, Miami, New York and Washington, D.C., to Prague. Travel dates: Fall 2022 and January to March 2023. How to book: Directly with the airline or through Google Flights.

Sample flights

While there are some isolated round trips available under $500 between October and the end of the year, the vast majority of affordable options we see are for travel between early 2023 and the end of March.

You may likewise find an option here or there on another carrier like LOT Polish Airlines, but most of your choices will be aboard Portuguese carrier TAP. That means whatever U.S. city you’re departing from, you’ll be going through Lisbon, Portugal.

Keep an eye on your layovers as you book. Shorter layovers are always good. So, too, are those much longer stops where you get not just a night in Lisbon, but plenty of time to sightsee and have a nice meal, essentially exploring two European cities for the price of one.

The more challenging itineraries can be ones where you arrive at 9 p.m. one night and have a 10 a.m. (or earlier) flight the next day. This won’t allow you to see the city, and will simply cost more for an extra hotel night. So, it’s important to take a close look at the itinerary.

Related: How to plan a free stopover on your next trip abroad

Here are a few of the itineraries and prices we found:

New York to Prague for $481 on TAP.Washington to Prague for $446 on TAP.Miami to Prague for $481 on TAP.Chicago to Prague for $479 on TAP.

Here’s a pretty straightforward itinerary for travelers departing from the New York area. You’ll fly overnight from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Lisbon, with a connection time of approximately two hours. Then, the second leg to Vaclav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) is close to 3 1/2 hours. Your layover is about the same in Lisbon on the return trip.


tap booking screenshot
(Screenshot from Google Flights)

Departing from the Washington, D.C., area, you’ll have layovers of a similar length after departing from Dulles International Airport (IAD). This round trip right at the beginning of March goes for $446, far lower than round-trip tickets this summer that are going for $800 to $1,000 at times.


tap booking screenshot
(Screenshot from Google Flights)

Here’s an example of a more ambitious itinerary for travelers departing from Miami who are looking to visit multiple cities on their trip to Europe. You’ll leave Thursday afternoon out of Miami International Airport (MIA) and arrive early Friday morning in Lisbon. Then, you have more than 24 hours in the city before you depart Friday morning for Prague. This gives you plenty of time to spend a day sightseeing in Lisbon.


tap booking screenshot
(Screenshot from Google Flights)

Unfortunately, the return trip is a bit less convenient, with an overnight layover. You’ll get in late to Lisbon, and have to spend the night before a midmorning flight back to Miami. It’s not ideal, but considering it gets you a far lower price on the airfare, it could be worth considering.

Maximize your purchase

You’ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards when you pay with your Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. You might consider paying with The Platinum Card® from American Express to earn 5 points per dollar on flights purchased directly with the airline or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 per calendar year. You’ll earn 5 points per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel when you pay with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.


wencelas square new town prague
Wencelas Square in Prague. (Photo by Rudy Sulgan/Image Bank Collection/Getty Images)

Bottom line

From checking out the Prague Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge to learning about life in Prague during much of the 20th century at the Museum of Communism, the city is rich in culture and historic sites worth exploring. It’s even better when you can get a good deal on airfare. Whether you’re willing to brave the coldest months and visit just after the new year or you are already marking this on your calendar for next March, this is good deal to consider.

Featured photo by joe daniel price/Moment Collection/Getty Images.

By: Sean Cudahy
Title: Fly to Prague early next year for around $450
Sourced From: thepointsguy.com/deals/prague-early-2023-tap/
Published Date: Mon, 25 Jul 2022 19:00:54 +0000




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