Prague welcomes spring 2026 with river ferries and historic trains

Prague residents and visitors can celebrate the arrival of spring 2026 with the return of seasonal ferry services and historic trains across the city and surrounding regions.

Starting this weekend, several ferries will resume operations on the Vltava River, providing quicker crossings where bridges are scarce, while motorized and vintage trains will run to popular weekend destinations.

The seasonal restart marks one of the first signs of Prague’s transition from winter to spring, with public transport and tourist services gradually returning to full operation. City authorities said these services are not only for visitors but also help locals commute efficiently across the river and explore the surrounding countryside.

Prague Integrated Transport (PID) announced that seasonal ferries will run again until the end of October, complementing year-round services P1 and P2.

Among the seasonal lines, the P3 ferry between Lihovar and Dvorce will operate until April 17, after which it will be permanently replaced by the new Dvorecký Bridge, designed to carry trams, buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

“The P3 ferry alone transported around 65,000 people per season in recent years. After the bridge opens, it no longer makes sense to continue the service,” PID spokesperson Filip Drápal told Blesk.

Other seasonal ferries will continue to provide shortcuts for pedestrians and cyclists where bridges are unavailable, saving significant travel time. These crossings are integrated into the PID ticketing system, allowing standard travel passes and tickets to be used, just like on buses and trams.

Most ferries operate in intervals of about 20 minutes. Timetables and additional information can be found at the PID website.

Alongside the ferries, several seasonal train services are also back in operation as of this weekend. Czech Railways and ROPID have reintroduced weekend tourist routes, including classic “Bardotka” trains and the Posázavský motoráček. These scenic services connect Prague to destinations such as Kokořínsko, the Brdy hills, and Český ráj.

This year also sees the debut of RegioFox motor units on weekend lines, replacing older carriages and enhancing comfort for travelers. “These barrier-free trains will improve the experience on busy routes like Brdy and Český ráj,” Jakub Goliáš, director of Czech Railways’ Střed region, told iDnes.cz.

Family-oriented rides are back, too. The Cyklohráček children's train, now in its 13th season, runs from Prague to Slaný, passing through the scenic Pražský Semmering and offering stops at Zoopark Zájezd, Budče, and historic sites along the way. Trains depart from both Prague Main Station and Smíchov Station, returning on the same day.

Seasonal cycling buses, providing convenient access for cyclists from train stations to local cycling trails with special spaces for bikes, will also begin running. The first, connecting Dobřichovice to the Brdy hills, runs from today, with a second line linking Dejvická to Výhledy starting next weekend.

ROPID has published a seasonal guide detailing all tourist train routes, timetables, and tips for sightseeing along the way. Copies are available at PID information centers, selected railway stations, and online.