During our last trip to Europe, we had decided to explore the beautiful parts of Central Europe, focusing on the countries of Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Central Europe is quickly becoming one of the most popular regions to travel in the continent. It has everything the popular western countries have to offer such as the great European history, beautiful outdoor cafes, medieval architecture, amazing nightlife, and more. And you can do all this without breaking the bank!
We booked an open-jaw plane ticket for this trip mainly because it gave us more flexibility and we could explore more places that way, and also because, luckily for us, the cost of a roundtrip ticket and an open-jaw was coming out to be the same. So, we arrived at the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport and departed from the Prague Václav Havel Airport.
Prague Airport is an amazing airport for Priority Pass members. The airport has a total of four priority pass lounges – two located in Terminal 1 and two in Terminal 2. Since our flight back to the United States was departing from Terminal 1, we had access to two lounges – the Menzies Aviation Lounge and the MasterCard Lounge. Since we had quite some time with us, and also as both the lounges are located literally across from each other, we were able to visit both of them. But for now, let’s talk in detail about the MasterCard Lounge.
Accessing the Lounge
Access to the lounge is complimentary if you’re one of the following cardholders:
- Priority Pass holders
- MasterCard Platinum cardholders
- MasterCard World Elite premium cardholders
- MasterCard World and Gold Elite premium cardholders
In addition to that, you can also purchase a single entry pass into the lounge for 750 CZK (~$33).
Few Things To Note
- At Prague Airport, the security check happens at the gate. Hence, this means that you will only be going through the initial immigration checkpoint before you can head to the lounge. So keep sufficient time on your hands and leave for your gate accordingly.
- This also means that you can’t fill your water bottles at the lounge, and to top it all, there isn’t any water filling station at the gate either. So you’re left with only two options, either parch your throat during the 8-hour long flight or buy over-priced water from the gate. That’s so annoying!
Location & Hours
Hours: 5:30 AM – 11:30 PM
MasterCard Lounge at Prague Václav Havel Airport is located at Terminal 1 and in order to get to the lounge you will have to pass through a large duty-free shop and then turn left. Here you will see signs for the airport lounges. Take an escalator up one level and you will see the entrance to both lounges.
Lounge Interiors
The hallway leading up to the lounge entrance might seem a bit dated, but once you enter the lounge you will be pleasantly surprised to see its interiors.
The lounge is set up in three areas – the entrance area consisting of the check-in counter and some desks with computers, a middle area where most of the food and drink items are located, and a well spread out main area with lots of comfortable couches and seating available. We spent most of our time lounging on one of their high-backed sofas because, well, they were quite snug. Oh, and also because we got some amazing views of the runway from there!
Food and Drinks
The lounge offers a decent selection of food. While the snacks including chips, pretzels, butter biscuits (my favorite!) and nuts, are definitely a great add-on to have, we felt that they need to improve on their hot food items.
Since our flight back to New York was around late afternoon, we were at the lounge by noon. This is definitely lunch time in most parts of the world, so we were expecting more lunch friendly options. What we got, instead, was only one variety of soup – leek soup, some open-faced cold sandwich options, some cold cut meats, and cereal. No doubt their open-faced sandwiches were enjoyable, but I can’t say for sure whether they were really good or I liked them just because that was the only actual thing to eat?! Nonetheless, the sandwich options included a veggie cheese-based variety; a salami, pickle and potato salad version; a seafood variety; and a ham and cucumber one. Out of these, I enjoyed the seafood one the most.
Although they do not have a fancy bar or a bartender compared to other lounges, they do have a self-service drinks area where you can choose from a variety of beverages, including the local Budvar beer, red and white wine, as well as a good selection of liquors. Well, the positive side to everything being self-serve is that you can have as much or as little as you like; there is no restriction!
In addition to alcoholic beverages, they also have an amazing espresso machine serving Lavazza coffee. It was definitely the best airport cappuccino I’ve had in a long time! They also had many juices, and sodas. But for me, I’ll stick to my cappuccino!
Overall Thoughts
The MasterCard Lounge at Prague Airport is definitely a good place to relax since the seating arrangement at the gates is pretty crowded and uncomfortable. The lounge setup is pretty cozy and the vibrant colors of the interiors definitely add to the perky vibe.
However, if you’re taking a flight during lunch or dinner hours and expect to have a meal before your flight, then I’d recommend heading to a restaurant instead since their food options are quite limited and need to be improved. All in all, it’s not a bad option if you have complimentary access with Priority Pass or Mastercard, but I wouldn’t pay to access it.
We like to use lounges if we have quite a long wait as it’s so much more relaxing than just wandering around the terminal. It’s useful to see a review with photos as it makes it easier to make a decision on particular airports.
That’s exactly the intention of our review! I hope it was helpful.
Great review, thanks for sharing such a nice blog..! Prague Lounge looks awesome, the foods and the interior designs are so pretty.
Glad you found it useful!
Nice lounge! We’ve never tried getting into an airport lounge before because it is expensive and not that necessary when we traveled, but it must be cool to experience all these amenities and freebies.
I always wondered what these lounges would be like.
Bever been in one before.
Thank you for your review and the photos
This is such an amazing and honest review. and this airport is really neat and so clean. Looks so safety airport. Thank you for sharing this article!
Thank you for reading it!
Great review of the lounge! I’ve never actually used one – though I do fly quite often…
I’ve never even heard of the Mastercard Lounge, but it looks pretty amazing. Being a Mastercard holder seems like you can receive some beneficial perks.
Wow swankyish! I would hang out there if I flew into Prague
Thank you for sharing this. I think it will be worth- just for a comfortable experience.
I would honestly not pay to be in this lounge, it looks so small and the food is so limited. But maybe I am spoiled with the lounges at Heathrow Airport, where I usually spend my time before flying.
I completely agree! Though the lounge has decent space, the food options were a real disappointment. Lounges at Heathrow are great!
I’ve never used a lounge before and this post makes me want to. They look so smart and swanky
Do try one out sometime!
Ah I love taking a look at the lounges in airports. They always intrigue me. You’re right though, this one doesn’t seem to offer you value for money if you’re not going to get food on a flight 💚
Exactly food was a disappointment but I’d still stay away from the crowded gates and chill at the lounge.
That looks like a fantastic place to chill between flights. I’ll keep this in mind when I visit Prague.
Yeah, I wanted to share my experience so that it’s helpful to anyone who reads it.
It looked pretty cosy.
some food and drinks… where could you go wrong? i dont see any entertainment tho.. seems like a “bring your own” stuff to pass time. of course everyone nowadays got phones and tablets so things should me find… lo im over here thinking there should be like a movie theatre up im there! lo
Haha I would love to see a movie theater in lounges as well!
Prague was not in my list, after reading your awesome review, I feel like booking a flight right now to enjoy that wonderful lounge.
Oh wow. I would say then definitely check out our article about Top 12 Things You Can’t Miss in Prague:
https://itsasweetsweetworld.com/2019/08/19/12-things-you-cant-miss-in-prague-czech-republic/
Lounges are definitely much better than waiting at a crowded, noisy gate! But, if I didn’t have Priority Pass, I don’t think I’d pay for this one. I agree with you – I think I’d choose a restaurant instead, unless I wasn’t very hungry.
You are exactly right!
This is would be a fantastic review the place looks spacey and beautiful! How I wish I have a chance to visit in Prague airport someday awesome photos!
Great review, thanks for adding pictures. I tend to find most airport lounges similar to this one with limited food and beverage selections, but if you have a long lay-over they aren’t a bad place to spend a few hours 😉
Yeah, I find waiting at the gate rather uncomfortable.
Prague is my hometown, so I’m kind of surprised that they have this lounge, I have never heard about it. But it looks nice and cozy
Oh really. There are a total of 4 lounges at Prague airport! Try one of them out sometime.
Amazing place. I would surely bookmark this for my future trip. Thank. You for sharing.
By the photos, it sure looks like worth the time and money.
Prague is another one of the places that I’ve always wanted to visit. . .heard the people are extremely nice. Taking advantage of the lounge sounds like a must.
What a fascinating lounge at Prague’s international airport. There so many sweet services. Kinda makes me wish I was a Mastercard holder.
Or a Priority Pass member!
Oh cool! I’m not well travelled, but this sounds like heaven! The part of travelling I hate is waiting around in the airport, so this would be great!
Oh wow, this really seems like great idea. The interior looks stunning and the food delicious. I definitely love relaxing in a lounge area before a long flight.
Glad you found it helpful!
We have tried this once it was really royal and comfy..
This is an amazing review. Thanks for this blog I’ve always wanted to visit Prague
I clearly have to get a mastercard! The lounges look awesome. What a wonderful way to spend the last hours of your trip than enjoying free food, comfortable chairs and a little bit of peace and quiet.
Yeah, it’s a nice place to relax before a long haul flight.
Their lounge sounds amazing with plenty of awesome services too. We usually arrive an hour or two before our flight since we have kids with us so lounge are a great place to stay at to past the time.
I can completely understand, with kids you need to arrive well on time and then you have so much time to pass. Try out a lounge next time!
This airport lounge looks so neat and clean. I would love to spend time here. Great review, thank you for the share.
Glad you found it helpful!
I find lounges to be hits or misses. The food is more native to the place and options for Vegetarians can be limiting. Good to know that you had a positive experience in Prague!
I completely agree that the choices can be limited for Vegetarians.
I have priority pass and use this in many airports and fully satisfied.Hope it will help me in my Prague visit.
Sound like a good lounge to stay while waiting. Thanks for sharing it
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The lounge looks so great. i never actually went to one before but it’s great to know that this one is worth going to!