A cruise "for connoisseurs". The famous Polish attraction returns after 15 years

Poles have been waiting for the return of this iconic attraction for over a dozen years. 11-hour cruises will start at the end of May.

In just a month, Poles will be able to take advantage of cruises on the Ostróda-Elbląg route for the first time in years. The journey lasting 11 hours is a great opportunity not only to see a unique technical monument, the Elbląg Canal, but also to admire the lakes of western Masuria. For now, the attraction will be launched in a test form, with courses once a month. “We’ll see how much interest there will be, because it cannot be denied that such a long-hour cruise is an option for connoisseurs and persistent tourists,” says Cezary Wawrzyński, president of Żegluga Ostródzko-Elbląska, in an interview with Radio Olsztyn.

The great return of Ostróda – Elbląg cruises

The 2026 season will be the first time in 15 years when Poles will board a tourist ship from Elbląg to Ostróda. 11-hour cruises have not been carried out in full since the renovation of the Elbląg Canal – for a long time Żegluga’s offer included only shorter trips on selected sections, which were very popular among passengers due to their frequent trips. They usually lasted about two hours. “The longest was a boat cruise on the grass between Elbląg and the slipway in Buczyniec, lasting approximately 4.5 hours,” we read.

Restoring the iconic all-day crossings is a big challenge and it is not yet known what frequency passengers can count on. For now, according to Radio Olsztyn, the first cruise is scheduled for the end of May. The organizers intend to test this form once a month, throughout the summer. If there are many people interested, there is a chance for more courses in the future.

This is what the trip will look like

There will be five slipways along the ship’s route: in Buczyniec, Kąty, Oleśnica, Jelenia and Całuny. Tourists will also pass four locks: in Miłomłyn, Zielona, Mała Ruś and Ostróda, which will be the last stop. After a whole day on board, tourists will be able to travel to Elbląg by coach or book accommodation in Ostróda and return by ship the next day.

Ticket prices remain a secret for now. In the case of a cruise from Elbląg to Buczyniec, the price for a regular ticket is PLN 169 – the 11-hour crossing to Ostróda will most likely be more expensive.

FAQ – Elbląg Canal

When was the Elbląg Canal created?

Work on the project began in 1837, but the first ship on the Ostróda – Miłomłyn section crossed the canal on August 31, 1860. The canal was opened for cargo shipping a year later, and for tourists in 1912. Regular passenger cruises have been taking place here since 1927.

How much do cruises on the Elbląg Canal cost?

Ticket prices depend on the length of the selected route. Trips on the currently longest route Buczyniec – Elbląg cost PLN 169 per person. You can sail from Ostróda to Miłomłyn for just PLN 95 (the cruise lasts 2.5 hours).