Bydgoszcz Water Tram

Bydgoszcz looks its best from the Brda river, and the easiest way to see it from there is aboard Słonecznik, the electric boat of the Bydgoszcz Water Tram. Cruises leave from Rybi Rynek (Fish Market Square) in the Old Town and take about an hour. On the Old Town route the boat passes through the City Lock, where it is lifted by 3.5 metres – an attraction in itself, especially for children.

History: from public transport to sightseeing cruises

Passenger boats sailed the Brda before the war, and between 1961 and 1992 the "Ondyna", carrying more than 200 passengers, ran to Brdyujście. The modern water tram was launched by the city, the local shipping company Żegluga Bydgoska and the Wyższa Szkoła Gospodarki university: the first trip set off on 9 October 2004 at 11:00. At first it worked as ordinary public transport, with stops and cheap fares. Since 2018 the cruises have been run by the Bydgoszcz Information Centre as a tourist attraction with two routes.

Routes

• Old Town route (Staromiejska, 60–75 minutes depending on the lock) – past the cathedral, the Opera Nova and Mill Island, by the historic trapezoid lock, through the restored City Lock and past the former Railway Directorate building.
• Sun route (Słoneczna, about 60 minutes) – downstream past the University Bridge road and sports grounds, turning at the Słoneczny Młyn hotel.
• Lock route (Szlakiem Śluz) – a cruise of about 100 minutes on the smaller MS Bydgoszcz (12 seats) through the City Lock and the Okole and Czyżkówko locks on the Bydgoszcz Canal to Gwiazda marina. It runs irregularly, when conditions allow.

On board

Słonecznik takes up to 28 passengers. A GPS-triggered audio guide plays at the right spots along the route in Polish (separate versions for adults and children), English and German. There is no toilet on board, but passengers can use the toilet at the Granaries (Spichrze) of the Regional Museum free of charge by showing their ticket. Small dogs may travel by the seats, large dogs muzzled at the stern.

Season and tickets (as of October 2026)

• The 2026 sailing season runs until 18 October. The boats do not sail in winter, and the start date of the 2027 season has not been announced yet.
• Standard departures: Old Town route at 11:20, 12:40, 14:20, 15:40 and 17:00, Sun route at 10:00 and 18:20 (subject to change).
• 2026 fares: Old Town route PLN 35 / PLN 30 reduced, Sun route PLN 30 / PLN 25, Lock route PLN 50 / PLN 40. Children under 4 pay PLN 1.
• Buy tickets online (up to 60 days ahead) or at the Bydgoszcz Information Centre, ul. Batorego 2. There are no ticket sales or reservations on board.

Tripto tip

Seats are limited, so buy ahead for weekends. Pushchairs and wheelchairs have to be carried over a narrow gangway. If you only have time for one cruise, pick the Old Town route: the lock and the view of Mill Island are the highlights. Out of season you can follow the same route on foot along the Brda riverside promenades, from Rybi Rynek to the City Lock.