The Elbe Waterway

The Elbe is the longest Czech navigable river, 160 kilometres long, from Chvaletice east of Prague to the state border with Germany in Hřensko. The river got its name from the Celts who called in the “White River”.

The Elbe is used as a waterway for large ships and motorised recreational vessels starting inChvaletice (near Přelouč). The riverbed is regulated, with many old branches, 50 to 60 metres wide. From Chvaletice to the German border, navigation is permitted all year round and without restrictions.

Lock chambers are available for recreational purposes as well. The following chambers are open during summer, from 1 May to 30 September, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Ústí nad Labem – Střekov, Lovosice, České Kopisty, Roudnice nad Labem, Štětí and Dolní Beřkovice. Outside the main season, they are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Other chambers along the Elbe, from Obříství to Týnec nad Labem, open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. all year round, with a regular unavailability time from 26 September to 24 October.

The most popular recreational sections:

Mělník - Roudnice
Roudnice - Ústí nad Labem
Ústí nad Labem - Hřensko
Děčín - Hřensko

Passenger traffic and tourist cruises

In the summer, tourists can use cruise ships in Mělník (Fidelio, cruises), from Ústí nad Labem to Litoměřice and back (line no. 901) or to Hřensko and back (line no. 902). Line no. 901 starts at the Ústí nad Labem Vaňov dock at 10:05 a.m. From the centre of the town, you can take a bus at 9:20 a.m., that takes passengers and bicycles to Vaňov (included in the price of the boat ticket).

In Ústí nad Labem and its surroundings, you can use the regular line traffic by Marie boats in the summer, mostly from June to September. The boat cruises are mostly designed for families with children and seniors. The boat travels through: Ústí nad Labem (Vaňov) - Cyklokemp Loděnice Brná - Dolní Zálezly - Církvice - Libochovany - Velké Žernoseky - Píšťany and back.

Many ferryboats operate along the river, as well as rental shops with motorised vessels, boats, or SUP boards.