Punkva Cave 2026: boat trip on the Punkva, admission prices and how to beat the queues

Punkva Cave (Punkevní jeskyně) is the most visited cave in the Moravian Karst — an hour-long tour (1,250 m) takes you through the dripstone formations of the Masaryk Dome and finishes with a boat trip along the underground Punkva river, right to the bottom of the Macocha Abyss. Admission in season (April–October) is 450/350/200 CZK (adults/concessions/children) — that’s roughly €18/€14/€8 (an approximate guide — exchange rates fluctuate), and out of season 350/270/160 CZK. Book ahead in season — morning slots are often sold out by midday. A tourist train runs from the car park at Skalní Mlýn to the cave (100 CZK), and a cable car takes you back up to the Macocha Abyss (80–100 CZK).

QUICK LINKS 🕐 What the tour includes · 💰 Admission and booking · 🚂 Train and cable car · ⏰ When to go to avoid queues · ❓ FAQ

Punkva Cave is the kind of place that draws people to the Moravian Karst even if they’ve never heard of any other cave in their life. It’s easy to see why — it’s the only cave in the region where the tour doesn’t end on foot, but aboard a boat gliding along a river that flows right beneath the floor of the Macocha Abyss.

What the tour includes

The route runs for 1,250 metres, and the guided tour takes around an hour. The walking section takes you through the dripstone decorations of the Masaryk Dome, discovered during rock blasting in 1920, past the so-called Fairy-Tale Pools (Pohádková jezírka). The path then leads all the way to the dry floor of the Macocha Abyss — looking up from here at the 138.5-metre-high rock walls is an entirely different experience from viewing them from the lookout platforms above.

The tour ends with the boat trip: groups board boats (new seven-metre models introduced in 2017/2018) for the final underground stretch, right up to where the Punkva emerges into daylight near Skalní Mlýn. Boat trips have been running here continuously since 1921.

At times of exceptionally high water levels, the boat trip may be cancelled and the route shortened — in which case a lower admission fee applies (see below).

Admission and booking

Demand is high during the season and tours often sell out — book through the Central Information Service at Skalní Mlýn or online, ideally several days to a few weeks in advance. Out of season, it’s usually fine to just turn up on the day.

Money-saving tip: if you’re planning to visit another cave in the Moravian Karst too, bring along a ticket that’s no more than a month old and you’ll get a 20% discount at the ticket office.

Train and cable car from Skalní Mlýn

From the car park at Skalní Mlýn, you can either walk to the cave or take the tourist train — 100 CZK one way (children/students 70 CZK), 80 CZK return (60 CZK). The train departs 20 minutes before each cave entry time and is accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

To get back up to the Macocha Abyss and its lookout platforms, take the cable car: 80 CZK one way (children/students 50 CZK), 100 CZK return (70 CZK). A combined ticket covering both the train and the cable car costs 180 CZK one way / 140 CZK return.

When to go to avoid queues

The quietest visits are in spring and autumn on weekdays, ideally right after opening at 9am — by midday, both the ticket office and the car park tend to get considerably busier. In July and August, and at weekends and on public holidays, expect queues — it’s best to book a specific time slot in advance, otherwise you risk not getting into the cave at all that day.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Punkva Cave tour take? Around an hour, with the route measuring 1,250 metres, including the boat trip.

Do I need to buy tickets in advance? Yes, in season (April–October) — tours often sell out by mid-morning. Out of season, it’s usually fine to buy on the day.

Is the boat trip part of every tour? Yes, except during periods of exceptionally high water, when the boat trip is cancelled and a lower, reduced admission price applies.

How do I get from the car park to the cave and back up to the Macocha Abyss? The tourist train takes you to the cave, and the cable car brings you back up to the lookout platforms at the Macocha Abyss — both for a fee (see prices above). It’s also possible to walk the route through the Pustý žleb gorge.

Is the tour suitable for young children? Yes, the route is easy-going and ends with the boat trip, which is usually the highlight for children. Do bear in mind the lower temperature inside the cave (around 7–9°C), so bring a warmer layer.

Part of the series A Week in the Moravian Karst: a complete 7-day itinerary. Sources: Czech Cave Administration – Punkva Cave, description and history, Skalní Mlýn – train and cable car, ceskehory.cz – Macocha cable car. Prices and opening hours are subject to change — we recommend checking the official websites before your visit.