Love and Practical Solutions: Discover the charm of ferries on our rivers

Ferries in Prague and Surroundings

Prague brought ferries back in 2005. Ferries have always been part of the Vltava River, and there was a time when nearly fifty ferries crossed the river (when the capital was much smaller than it is now). Small boats sailing from one bank to the other carry hundreds of thousands of passengers and tens of thousands of bicycles every year. They operate from the end of March until the end of October, and the tickets are the same as those for trams or the metro; you can even buy them directly from the ferryman.

Located according to the current of the Vltava River, the southernmost ferry is just before the borders of the main city, known as the year-round ferry between Vrané nad Vltavou and Strnady. It has been in place for several centuries and continues to serve anyone who needs to cross from Vrané to the other bank, reaching the Forestry Research Institute and the bus stop at the edge of the Strnady settlement. Additionally, it is environmentally friendly, as it is one of the few non-motorized ferries on the Vltava.

At the southern edge of Prague, there is the popular P6 ferry from Modřany to Lahovičky, frequently used by cyclists and inline skaters. Another ferry, P5, connects Císařská louka with Výtoň and Smíchov (Kotevní). There is also a private ferry called Vyšehrad, which links Podskalí (Výtoň) to Smíchov (this is not included in the PID system). Another ferry in the PID system used to operate from the Distillery in Zlíchov to Dvorce as P3; this has been replaced by the Dvorecký Bridge, from which it’s just a short walk to the Podolí swimming stadium or to Žluté lázně. In Holešovice, the HolKa footbridge was constructed, leading to the cancellation of the same-named ferry, which used to stop at Štvanice Island. The ferry was equipped with a modern, barrier-free boat, a top-deck catamaran powered by electricity, which now operates on the P4 Dostihová – Belárie ferry route. On the northern side of the city, near Dejvice, the P2 ferry in Podbaba serves passengers year-round, connecting the Vltava banks between the Šárecké Valley in Podbabě and Podhořím. The last ferry is the P1 Sedlecký ferry from Sedlec to Zámků. A bit further north, outside the capital, ferries cross the river from Klecánek to Roztok and from Máslovice to Libčice nad Vltavou, which are among the very oldest ferries on the Vltava.

Enhancing Your Trip to Křivoklát

If you plan to visit Křivoklát, then you’ll be heading to the stretch of the Berounka River, which the writer Ota Pavel loved. The ferryman Prošek’s house in Luh under Branov has a memorial and museum, and you can reach the memorial hall across the river from Nezabudice using a ferry.

Further upstream, the ferry in Darová has been crossing the Berounka for nearly two centuries. This ferry is larger, transporting people as well as personal and cargo vehicles. The boat is pulled along chains using an electric “cat,” which moves along a strong steel cable stretched between masts above the river. The Darová ferry operates daily and year-round. For those seeking a touch of romance with history, the Nadryby ferry on the Berounka offers a unique experience as it’s the last manually operated ferry!

Ferries and Ferrymen on Lipno

The ferries on Lipno are definitely not just for show; they save you from having to take long detours around the reservoir, whether you are traveling from Lipno to the border crossing at Kyselov or the ferry from Horní Planá to Bližší Lhoty. Those wishing to cross by ferry need to purchase a ticket first and check the schedule to find out when the boat will leave. Boats run from early morning until evening, and each ferry can carry up to eight cars. The Horní Planá ferry operates from April, while Kyselov starts in May. Additionally, starting May, you can take the ferry from Hrdoňov to the other side of the Lipno Reservoir, which connects with the Svatý Tomáš bike path. In Frymburk, there is also a ferry to Frýdava. From there, you can embark on trips to places like Svatý Tomáš and the lookout tower Vítkův hrádek, to Nová Pec, or even into Austria. The ferry operates from April 24 to October 31.

Elbe Ferries and Regular Boat Transport

Less famous than those on the Vltava, the ferries on the Elbe often help people save long travels to the nearest bridge on their commute. Just a short distance from Litoměřice, you can catch the ferry from Nučničky to Nučnice, from Malé to Velké Žernoseky, or from the sports hall in Lovosice to Píšťany (currently out of service). A little further north, you can travel from Církvice to Dolní Zálezel or take the line boat Marie, which also functions somewhat like a ferry. It operates from Ústí nad Labem to the thermal pool at Brná and across Dolní Zálezly, Církvici, Libochovany, and Velké Žernoseky to Píšťany and back.

You can also take the ferry from Velké Březno to Povrly. Another ferry will take you from the I/62 road between Hřensko and Děčín to the Dolní Žleb train station. A ride on a ferry from Hřensko to the charming region of Českosaské Švýcarsko can enhance your trips; it operates year-round, but since you will cross the border during the journey, you will need personal identification.

During the summer season, you can travel by water from Ústí nad Labem to Litoměřice and back thanks to the regular boat line 901. It runs every Saturday, Sunday, and holiday until the end of October. The excursion boat operating on line 902 between Ústí, Děčín, and Hřensko sets sail every Saturday, Sunday, and holiday. However, be cautious – due to low water levels on the Elbe in summer, the 902 line does not operate during this period in the section from Ústí nad Labem downtown to Děčín.