Is the Jazz Boat worth it?

Is the Prague Jazz Boat worth it?

For anyone who likes live music, yes. It is a jazz club that happens to float, with the city as the backdrop, and it rates 4.7 on GetYourGuide.

The Jazz Boat calls itself a genuine jazz club, and that is the right way to think about it. The band plays a few metres from the tables, close enough to watch the fingers on the double bass. Outside the windows, Prague slides past: the bridges, the lit Castle, the embankments. Neither a classic club nor a sightseeing cruise. Something in between.

The rating backs it up: 4.7 from 2,235 reviews on GetYourGuide. Reviewers mention the musicians far more often than the food, which tells you where the value lies. Expect polished Czech jazz players rather than a show band, and an evening at conversation volume.

★★★★★

Excellent jazz, very talented musicians, courteous service, acceptable food! Recommended for a different kind of evening in beautiful Prague.

What happens on a Prague Jazz Boat cruise?

You board about 15 minutes before departure, the boat sails at 7:30 p.m. on most evenings, and the band plays three sets over 2 hours 30 minutes. You are back at the pier around 10 p.m.

There is no rush. The boat cruises slowly up and down the Vltava, the band plays, and in the breaks between sets there is time to eat, order another glass or step to the window. Each evening has its own band and style, and the programme on the Jazz Boat's own site names the musicians date by date. As an example, on 4 November 2026 the František Kop trio played (saxophone, guitar, double bass).

Is dinner included on the Prague Jazz Boat?

Not in the basic ticket. Dinner is an optional 3-course set menu: €31 when you book direct, or the "Popular" option on GetYourGuide.

You can skip dinner completely and come for the music, a drink and the view. The Jazz Boat says so itself. If you do eat, there are four set menus, each with a Caprese salad to start. On GetYourGuide the "Economy" option is the cruise and concert; the "Popular" option adds the 3-course menu, and you pick the main course at checkout.

How much are drinks on the Jazz Boat?

Drinks are never in the ticket. You order at the table and pay on board, in Czech crowns: a small Budvar is CZK 70, mixed drinks CZK 180 and an espresso CZK 80.

The drinks list is short and fairly priced for Prague. Snacks are on it too, priced in euros, from €1.30 for a strudel or a brownie to €10 for beef carpaccio. That is the way to go if you want something to nibble without the full menu.

• Beer: Budvar 0.3 l CZK 70, alcohol-free beer CZK 55.
• Soft drinks: Pepsi CZK 70, still or sparkling water CZK 50, homemade lemonade 0.5 l CZK 90.
• Coffee and tea: espresso CZK 80, cappuccino or latte CZK 90, tea CZK 80.
• Spirits and cocktails: most 4 cl measures CZK 80; gin and tonic, Aperol Spritz or Cuba Libre CZK 180.
• Snacks: nachos €6, Caprese salad €5.20, antipasti for one €10.

Book the concert on its own, or the option with the 3-course menu: live jazz, the lit Castle and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

★ 4.7 · 2 hours 30 minutes · from $46

Explore the Jazz Boat → Tour details

Is the music on the Jazz Boat live?

Yes. A live band plays every sailing. That is not true of every Prague cruise with "jazz" in its name, so check what you are booking.

The one-hour "jazz style" cruise plays recorded jazz with audio commentary. The dinner and lunch cruises have live background music, often a pianist, an accordionist or a guitarist, which suits a meal but is not a concert. Reduta is live jazz too, on land in a club on Národní street. Here is how they compare:

★★★★★

Nice and intimate with good seating space between each guest. Very relaxing trip and we enjoyed chatting to the other guests on our table. The food was of a good standard and the waiting staff were pleasant and efficient. Jazz band had lovely personalities

Where does the Prague Jazz Boat leave from?

From Terminal 18 on Dvořákovo nábřeží, Prague 1: the Old Town embankment by Čech Bridge, at the river end of Pařížská street. On GetYourGuide the boarding point depends on the option, so check your voucher.

The embankment by Čech Bridge (Čechův most) is where most of Prague's cruise boats moor, so it is busy in the evening and easy to walk past your boat. Look for the Jazz Boat sign and Terminal 18. If you booked on GetYourGuide, the voucher gives the exact point for your option.

• By metro: line A to Staroměstská, then about 10 minutes on foot.
• By tram or bus: tram 17 or bus 207 to Právnická fakulta, right by the bridge.
• On foot: walk down Pařížská from Old Town Square to the river.

Our guide to the best boat tours maps the other piers along the river.

Who will not enjoy the Jazz Boat?

Anyone after a party, a big buffet or a full sightseeing commentary. The Jazz Boat is a seated, conversation-volume evening built around the band.

A few honest caveats. Some tables are shared with other guests, which most reviewers enjoy and some would rather avoid. At night the windows can reflect the room, so photos are easier at the breaks. The menu is a set dinner, not a buffet. And there is no guide pointing out the sights: the band is the programme.

• Want to dance: the boat party has DJs, welcome shots and club entry after.
• Want a big buffet: the 3-hour dinner cruise has live background music and an all-you-can-eat spread.
• Want the sights explained: the 50-minute evening cruise comes with audio commentary.
• Want a late jazz night: Reduta Jazz Club runs most shows until around midnight.

When is the best time to take the Jazz Boat?

Any evening it sails: the lit city is the backdrop all year. December adds 4:30 p.m. sailings on many days, and New Year's Eve has its own 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. cruises.

The programme runs to early February. Most nights in November and December sail at 7:30 p.m., with a few dates at 8:30 p.m., and many December days add an afternoon sailing at 4:30 p.m. that catches the last light. The programme lists Christmas Eve as not operating. From January the programme thins out to Friday, Saturday and Sunday sailings at 6:30 p.m. Popular dates sell out, and the booking page shows how many seats are left.

The festive dates are covered in our Christmas and New Year post, and the full cost of an evening in the river cruise prices guide.

Pick your evening and your band: three live sets on the Vltava, dinner optional, free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

★ 4.7 · 2 hours 30 minutes · from $46

Explore the Jazz Boat → Tour details

Frequently asked questions