Port information & tips for Prague
Prague, the radiant "Golden City" on the Vltava, is considered one of the cultural jewels of Central Europe and inspires with its fairytale flair. The central moorings allow travelers direct access to the historical splendor and, thanks to their location on the riverbank, offer a picturesque backdrop of Gothic towers and Baroque facades. World-famous sights such as the historic Charles Bridge, the Old Town Square, and Prague Castle towering over the city can be reached in a very short time. River cruise ships usually dock at the central Dvořákovo nábřeží (Dvořák Embankment), which is located in the immediate vicinity of the Old Town and provides a perfect starting point for exploration tours on foot through the winding alleys.
Prague, as the picturesque capital of the Czech Republic, is a popular starting or ending point for river cruises on the Vltava and the Elbe and is easily accessible thanks to excellent connections from the DACH region. The piers for river cruises are mostly centrally located on the banks of the Vltava, for example at Dvořákovo nábřeží or Rašínovo nábřeží, from where the historic city center can be easily explored on foot or by public transport.
Car
Prague is excellently connected to the European road network via well-developed highways and motorways, such as the D5/E50 from the direction of Germany (Regensburg/Pilsen) or the D8/E55 from the direction of Dresden. In the city center, we recommend using guarded parking garages, as street parking is often difficult and expensive. Good options for short- and long-term parking include the underground garages under the Palladium shopping center, the Kotva department store, or the Rudolfinum. For longer stays, cost-effective Park & Ride (P+R) parking lots at the end stations of the metro can also be used, from where you can easily reach the city center and the ship piers by public transport.
Train
Prague Main Station (Praha hlavní nádraží) is a central hub in European rail traffic with direct train connections from many cities in the DACH region, including Berlin, Dresden, Vienna, and Budapest. The station itself is very well connected to the local public transport network: the metro line C stops directly under the station, and several tram lines are just a few minutes' walk away. From there, you can reach the Vltava piers in the city center either comfortably by taxi or after a pleasant 15-20 minute walk.
Airplane
Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) is the nearest international airport and is located about 10 to 17 kilometers northwest of the city center. Various options are available for the transfer into the city: The Airport Express (AE) bus provides a direct connection from the airport (Terminal 1 & 2) to Prague Main Station in about 30 minutes. Alternatively, bus lines 119 and 100 connect the airport with the metro stations Nádraží Veleslavín (Line A) and Zličín (Line B), from where you can quickly continue to the city center. Taxis and private shuttle services also offer comfortable transfers, with a trip to the center taking around 25 minutes. Especially for longer flights or early embarkation times, we recommend an overnight stay in a hotel in Prague to start your cruise experience relaxed.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the journey: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Prague, as the picturesque capital of the Czech Republic, is a popular starting or ending point for river cruises on the Vltava and the Elbe and is easily accessible thanks to excellent connections from the DACH region. The piers for river cruises are mostly centrally located on the banks of the Vltava, for example at Dvořákovo nábřeží or Rašínovo nábřeží, from where the historic city center can be easily explored on foot or by public transport.
Car
Prague is excellently connected to the European road network via well-developed highways and motorways, such as the D5/E50 from the direction of Germany (Regensburg/Pilsen) or the D8/E55 from the direction of Dresden. In the city center, we recommend using guarded parking garages, as street parking is often difficult and expensive. Good options for short- and long-term parking include the underground garages under the Palladium shopping center, the Kotva department store, or the Rudolfinum. For longer stays, cost-effective Park & Ride (P+R) parking lots at the end stations of the metro can also be used, from where you can easily reach the city center and the ship piers by public transport.
Train
Prague Main Station (Praha hlavní nádraží) is a central hub in European rail traffic with direct train connections from many cities in the DACH region, including Berlin, Dresden, Vienna, and Budapest. The station itself is very well connected to the local public transport network: the metro line C stops directly under the station, and several tram lines are just a few minutes' walk away. From there, you can reach the Vltava piers in the city center either comfortably by taxi or after a pleasant 15-20 minute walk.
Airplane
Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) is the nearest international airport and is located about 10 to 17 kilometers northwest of the city center. Various options are available for the transfer into the city: The Airport Express (AE) bus provides a direct connection from the airport (Terminal 1 & 2) to Prague Main Station in about 30 minutes. Alternatively, bus lines 119 and 100 connect the airport with the metro stations Nádraží Veleslavín (Line A) and Zličín (Line B), from where you can quickly continue to the city center. Taxis and private shuttle services also offer comfortable transfers, with a trip to the center taking around 25 minutes. Especially for longer flights or early embarkation times, we recommend an overnight stay in a hotel in Prague to start your cruise experience relaxed.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for the journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the journey: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
The docking points for river cruise ships are centrally located on the banks of the Vltava and offer you first-class access to the historical treasures of the Czech capital. Thanks to the riverside location, you can reach the city's most important sights quickly and comfortably.
On Foot
Most berths are located in the immediate vicinity of the Old Town or the Jewish Quarter, so you can easily reach the Charles Bridge and the Old Town Square in about ten to fifteen minutes on foot. The path leads along the picturesque riverside promenades and offers wonderful photo opportunities immediately after leaving the ship.
Tram
Prague's dense tram network has stops directly at the quays and enables a convenient connection to higher-altitude destinations such as Prague Castle. The modern and historic cars run at short intervals and simultaneously offer a charming city tour through the various districts.
Taxi
Official taxis are available for you at marked stopping points near the docking areas and at the surrounding hotels. These offer a fast service for individual excursions and, thanks to the good connections, bring you quickly to more distant destinations or viewpoints within the city area.
To make the most of your day in the "Golden City," we recommend a walk from the central moorings directly into the historic heart of Prague to discover its most significant architectural treasures.
Staré Město & Old Town Square
The historic center is located directly on the banks of the Vltava and delights visitors with magnificent Baroque buildings and the famous Astronomical Clock; furthermore, the lively marketplace invites you to an atmospheric first stroll through the city thanks to its central location.
Prague Castle
As one of the largest castle complexes in the world, this cultural jewel towers majestically over the city and, thanks to its easy accessibility, is a perfect destination for wide views over the red roofs of the Czech capital as well as deeper insights into royal history.
Malá Strana & Charles Bridge
This picturesque district at the foot of the castle impresses with its Baroque palaces and the iconic Charles Bridge, which simultaneously creates an ideal connection between the riverbanks and, thanks to its numerous statues and street performers, invites you to an unforgettable experience directly by the water.
Prague Castle on the Hradčany
The impressive Prague Castle is reachable from the central river piers in about fifteen to twenty minutes on foot or comfortably by tram, and as the world's largest enclosed castle complex, it offers fascinating insights into European history. Thanks to its elevated position, you can enjoy an excellent panoramic view over the City of a Hundred Spires as well as the glittering Vltava from the historical walls. The area is perfectly suited for a cultural tour and also features first-class cafés as well as well-maintained gardens for relaxing breaks. Ideally, visit the castle directly in the early morning to admire the magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral in peace, and plan your relaxed return journey to the ship for the early afternoon.
The way back to the docking points on the Vltava is straightforward and can be perfectly integrated into your stroll through the city thanks to the central location of the ships.
Taxi and Rideshare Services
Official taxi ranks can be found at busy locations such as Old Town Square or Wenceslas Square, as well as in front of major hotels like the Hotel InterContinental at the end of Pařížská Street. Additionally, app-based services such as Uber or Bolt offer transparent pricing and will bring you safely directly to your ship's gangway.
Public Transport
Tram line 17 runs parallel to the riverbank and stops at the Staroměstská and Právnická fakulta stations, in the immediate vicinity of the popular Dvořákovo nábřeží and Na Františku docks. Metro line A offers an ideal starting point with the Staroměstská station and, thanks to short intervals, enables a punctual return to the port.
On Foot
Since many river cruise ships dock directly in the historic center, you can reach your berth after a short walk through the picturesque Old Town of Prague or the Jewish Quarter. The path to the riverbank is clearly signposted and, thanks to the lively promenades, is safe and pleasant to walk even in the evening hours.
