A new Wizz Air service will connect Prague with Poprad at the foot of the High Tatras: the 540-kilometre flight takes 65 minutes one way and 70 minutes back. By car, the journey usually takes more than six hours.
Flights will run regularly on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. From the second half of January until the end of March, a fourth weekly flight is planned as well. Return tickets cost from 2,500 crowns.
Bringing back the historic route was not easy: according to Patrik Franťiška, director of Poprad-Tatry Airport, the negotiations took about 18 months. The tourism organisations Región Vysoké Tatry and Región Liptov were also involved.
“This is an important moment, because the new route opens the Tatras not only to Czech clients but, thanks to Prague’s excellent air connections, to tourists from practically the whole world,” said Lucia Blašková of Región Vysoké Tatry.
It is not only the quick journey that draws visitors. The Tatra Ice Dome at Hrebienok, one of the most popular winter attractions, is built from 225 tonnes of ice and is due to open on 13 November.
On 28 November, Jasná will hold the Winter Jasná Opening with a rich programme, and a new ski run, Luková–Otupné, will open. As is traditional, in Jasná, in the Tatras and in the Tatralandia and Bešeňová water parks, stays are offered with ski passes and water park entry included in the accommodation price.
Katarína Šarafínová of Región Liptov noted that after a day on the slopes, Liptov offers thermal relaxation and water parks: in her words, this combination makes the region an ideal winter destination.
This year, Tatra National Park has prepared carriage rides and wildlife watching. “We want to show people the Tatras the way they usually cannot experience them,” said Michal Babnič on behalf of the park. According to him, the route crosses territory that was closed to visitors for decades.
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Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz