Bohemian Switzerland without a car? The best decision of this year’s vacation!

Imagine a peaceful morning in Bohemian Switzerland. You leave your car keys on the nightstand, throw your backpack on your back, and head out. No stress about whether you’ll still be able to park at your favorite spot. You can sit comfortably by the window of the “National Park Railway” train and watch the surrounding landscape. And you can even plan whether you’ll have one more cold regional beer at your destination. 😊

Try something different this year and be the master of your own time. Together with Ústí Region Transport (DÚK), we’re bringing you a few useful tips on how to make the most of the best that regional transportation has to offer. So pack your backpacks, grab some snacks, and let’s go!

Hop on the green line with DÚK buses

The backbone of tourist transportation in Bohemian Switzerland is bus line 434, which has connected Děčín with Jetřichovice and Krásná Lípa via Hřensko since 2007. Other lines connect to it, reinforcing the Děčín-Hřensko-Mezní Louka route, especially during the peak season.

• Line 434 and line 438: The integration of lines 434 and 438 has resulted in hourly service on the busiest route, Děčín–Hřensko–Mezní Louka; during the peak season and summer vacation, service was increased to every half hour. The lines now run year-round, 365 days a year, and from stops in Děčín, Hřensko, Mezní Louka, Mezní, Vysoká Lípa, Jetřichovice, Rynartice, Doubice, Kyjov, and Krásná Lípa, they provide access to the popular Hřebenovka.
• Shuttle Bus 441: a handy service that shuttles between Mezná, Hřensko, and Janov (Hájenky). This allows you to travel between Hřensko, Pravčická Gate, and Divoká soutěska while avoiding the hassle of finding a parking spot.
• Line 435 to Schmilka: This service takes you across the border to our Saxon neighbors on weekends (daily in summer). Running from Mezná via Hřensko to Schmilka during the season on weekends, and daily in July and August, it connects Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland.

Tickets That’ll Save You Money on Lunch

Figuring out the local fares can be a bit of a challenge, but if you know where you’re headed, you can save some money along the way:

• DÚK All-Day Pass (200 CZK/person, 510 CZK for 5 people): valid on all green-marked services in the region (buses and trains operated by Doprava Ústeckého kraje with green decals), including the ferry in Hřensko. In addition, the pass is valid for trips throughout Northern Bohemia, and you can use it as soon as you arrive at your destination. Current fare information here.
• Labe-Elbe Network Ticket (880 CZK for 5 people): Want to visit one of the most attractive cities on the Saxon side of the Elbe, Dresden? Nothing could be simpler than buying, for example, an all-day Labe-Elbe ticket at Mezní Louka, which costs 880 CZK and allows up to five people to travel, and taking the bus to Hřensko. A ferry stops on the banks of the Elbe, taking you to the other side of the river, to Schöna in Saxony, from where you can take a train to Dresden. From the main station, a tram will take you all the way to the city center. All this for the price of a single ticket. Current fare information here.
• Euro Nisa Ticket: Or would you prefer to go to Zittau? Then take advantage of this ticket, which you can purchase, for example, in Rumburk on the bus that takes you to the train station in Varnsdorf, or in Varnsdorf from the conductor on the train. You can buy a Euro Nisa Ticket for 540 CZK for two people or 790 CZK for five people. You’ll then travel through beautiful countryside by train all the way to Zittau. Current fare information is available here.

Trains, ferries. The choice is yours.

You can explore the beauty of Bohemian Switzerland both by train—on the so-called National Park Railway, which circles the Czech and Saxon national parks—and from the deck of a boat!

• Cruise on Line T92: With a DÚK ticket, which is also valid for boat transport and offers great deals for both individuals and groups, you can treat yourself to a unique trip on the T92 boat line at truly great prices! And for enthusiasts, you can combine bus, train, and boat travel all in one.

• National Park Railway: The U28 and U8 “National Park Railway” lines also play an irreplaceable role in transportation in Bohemian Switzerland. They offer a loop around both national parks: Děčín–Jedlová–Rumburk–Bad Schandau–Děčín, and are supplemented by weekend tourist trains: Děčín–Mikulášovice (Line T2), Prague–Mikulášovice (Lužickohorský Express), and Liberec–Mikulášovice (Line T9). You can find all routes and additional information on the National Park Railways website.

A few tips to wrap things up

1. The ferry in Hřensko: If you arrive by train in Schöny, Germany (directly across from Hřensko), the ferry ride is included in your ticket. You can no longer purchase a ferry ticket with cash.
2. Cashless payment: You can easily pay by card on the green buses.
3. DÚKapka: Download the app. It will show you exactly where your bus is right now, so you’ll know if you have time for one more ice cream.