Easter getaways: The most popular destinations and what flights cost right now

For generations, Easter in the Czech Republic has been defined by the pomlázka and local traditions. However, a growing number of Czech families are now trading woven willow branches for boarding passes as the four-day weekend becomes a prime window for international travel.

The inclusion of Good Friday as a public holiday since 2016 has fundamentally shifted how Czechs view the break.

With four consecutive days off, many residents are choosing to skip the traditional festivities in favor of short stays in European capitals.

Ticket portal Kiwi.com reports a 30 percent year-on-year increase in bookings for the Easter period. While Spain was the top destination last year, Italy has taken the lead for 2026. Interest in the Netherlands has also skyrocketed, with reservations up by more than 300 percent.

"Easter is the symbolic start of the travel season, and this year Czechs have embraced it with great gusto," Daniela Chovancová, spokesperson for Kiwi.com, told Deník.cz. She noted that lower costs are a major factor, with average prices for intra-European flights dropping by nearly 20 percent compared to last year.

Transport providers are scrambling to meet the surge in demand. Student Agency reported that Paris, Malaga, and Istanbul are the most popular destinations for their clients this year, with the average trip lasting four days.

On the rails, national carrier Czech Railways (České dráhy) and private operator RegioJet are adding extra carriages to accommodate the exodus, said RegioJet spokesperson Lukáš Kubát.

"Traditionally, the greatest interest is in travel from Prague, both towards northern and southern Moravia and Slovakia. We are also registering increased interest in international connections to European metropolises such as Budapest, Vienna, Berlin, or Warsaw, where people are heading for the extended Easter weekend.

While he recommends that passengers purchase tickets well in advance, if you haven't made plans yet, Kubát notes: "Some tickets may become available even at the last minute."