Smartwings Adds Bergen and Venice Routes for Winter 2026/2027

New Winter Routes from Prague

Smartwings, the Czech Republic’s largest carrier, will add direct flights from Prague to Bergen and Venice for the 2026/2027 winter season. The new routes expand the airline’s western European network beyond its recent Lisbon addition, offering travelers more options from the Czech capital during the typically quieter travel months.

Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city and gateway to the fjords, becomes a new winter destination for Prague-based passengers. Venice, already a summer staple, will now operate year-round. Both routes signal confidence in off-season leisure demand.

Expanded Frequency on Existing Routes

Alongside the new destinations, Smartwings is boosting service to five cities already in its network: Lisbon, Porto, Bilbao, Toulouse, and Nice. The carrier hasn’t specified how many additional weekly frequencies will be added, but the move suggests strong winter bookings to Iberia and southern France.

For Indian travelers transiting through Prague or planning a Central European base, these routes open up easier connections to Portugal’s Atlantic coast and France’s Côte d’Azur without the summer crowds. Winter fares are typically lower, and cities like Venice and Bergen offer entirely different experiences under frost and shorter days.

What This Means for Travelers

The Bergen route is especially noteworthy. Winter in western Norway means dramatic scenery—snow-capped peaks, frozen waterfalls, and the possibility of Northern Lights on clear nights. It’s also prime season for Norway’s Christmas markets and winter sports in nearby mountain towns.

Venice in winter is quieter, with fewer tourists clogging the bridges and piazzas. Acqua alta (seasonal flooding) is more common, but the city’s museums, churches, and bacaro wine bars remain open. Fares and hotel rates drop sharply after the New Year.

Context and Competition

Smartwings has been steadily building its year-round network from Prague, positioning itself as a leisure-focused alternative to Czech Airlines. The airline operates a mixed fleet of Boeing 737s and Airbus A320-family aircraft, with a charter arm serving tour operators across Europe.

Winter 2026/2027 is still over a year away, but tickets for these routes typically go on sale six to nine months in advance. If you’re planning a winter break in Scandinavia or northern Italy from Prague, or connecting through the Czech capital, it’s worth setting a fare alert now.

The expanded frequencies to Iberia and France also suggest Smartwings sees Prague as a viable hub for longer-haul European connections, especially for travelers from Eastern Europe and beyond looking to skip the busier airports in Frankfurt, Munich, or Paris.