Kazimierz Dolny – Janowiec Ferry

There is no bridge between Kazimierz Dolny and Janowiec, although the two are less than 5 km apart across the Vistula. Since 8 June 1996 a ferry has bridged the gap: a few minutes on deck replaced a detour of about 34 km via Puławy, with views of Kazimierz's limestone bluffs and Janowiec's Renaissance castle from the river. Note: the ferry did not run in the 2026 season because the Vistula was extremely low – check the latest announcements before you travel.

The 2026 season: a river without a ferry

At the end of April 2026 the Puławy–Azoty gauge read about 120 cm, and in May 144 cm, while according to the operator the ferry needs at least 2 metres of water. Large sandbanks had also built up at the crossing. The ferry, which traditionally starts at the May Day long weekend, never sailed, and in May the operator suspended the service until further notice. Local media spoke of "the first season without a ferry", and in June reported a boat taking pedestrians and cyclists across at weekends. As of October 2026 we found no news of the ferry resuming.

What this means in practice:

• by car, you reach Janowiec via the bridge in Puławy – about 34 km instead of under 5 km,
• on foot or by bike, check announcements from the Janowiec and Kazimierz Dolny municipalities to see whether a replacement boat is running,
• if you are planning a Kazimierz – Janowiec bike loop, have a back-up route via Puławy.

History of the crossing

In 2026 the crossing turned 30. The ferry belongs to the Janowiec municipality and since a 2022 tender has been leased by Żegluga Pasażerska, a company from Kazimierz Dolny. The operator stresses that the Vistula deposits a lot of sand at this spot and compares regular dredging to tilting at windmills. The other ferry in the area, Nasiłów – Bochotnica, a fixture of the river for 20 years, disappeared after the 2023 season.

How the ferry works in a normal season

In normal years the ferry runs from spring to autumn, depending on water levels, as a shuttle with no fixed timetable – it leaves when it is ready. The crossing itself takes a few minutes, up to a quarter of an hour. The landing on the Kazimierz side is in Mięćmierz, near ul. Krakowska, about 2.5–3 km from the Market Square; on the Janowiec side it is near Oblasy. Pedestrians, cyclists and cars can all board. The operator's phone number, as listed by the "Kraina Lessowych Wąwozów" local action group, is +48 602 858 898.

Tripto tip

The crossing is a classic part of a day loop: Kazimierz Market Square – a riverside walk to Mięćmierz – the ferry – Janowiec Castle with its museum and open-air museum – and back. When the ferry is not running, a sensible alternative is to drive round via Puławy and stop at the Czartoryski Park. Before you go, check the water level at the Puławy gauge and the latest notices – after a few rainy weeks the situation can change quickly.