Day trips from The Masurian Lakes

The three-day plan leaves room for a fourth, and that day goes to one of three destinations off the main route. Each of them takes a full day. The Żegluga Mazurska boats run straight from Giżycko to Węgorzewo and Ruciane-Nida, so the whole day is spent on the water with no driving; the Elbląg Canal, outside the region, is reached by car.

Węgorzewo by boat, instead of by car

The three-day plan covers Węgorzewo and Lake Mamry by car, on day three. By boat from Giżycko the same destination becomes a full day on the water, with a break in Węgorzewo itself; the ticket is €43.36 (PLN 190); €26.24 (PLN 115) reduced. It makes sense without a car, or for anyone who has seen the north from the shore and wants the same lake from the water.

3 daysThe same destination, but by car, within the three days:The Masurian Lakes in 3 days →

Ruciane-Nida and the Pisz Forest

Ruciane-Nida sits in the south of the region, by the Pisz Forest, in a part the three-day plan doesn't touch. The boat from Giżycko takes a full day here as well, with a break at the far end, and runs longer than the Węgorzewo trip; the ticket is €52.48 (PLN 230); €30.81 (PLN 135) reduced.

When to goWhich month for sailing, which for walking:The best time to visit The Masurian Lakes →

The Elbląg Canal, a cruise over the inclined planes

The Elbląg Canal lies outside the region, near Ostróda, and is the only one of the three not reached by boat: from Giżycko it is about 1 h 45 drive to the departure point. The cruise runs over the inclined planes, where boats cross dry land on rail-mounted cradles, and returns to its starting point, so getting back to the car needs no extra transport. The ticket is €28.53 (PLN 125, 3-hour round cruise, return).

Where to stayWhether this trip changes the choice of base:Where to stay in The Masurian Lakes →

BudgetWhat these three trips cost, beyond the prices in the three-day plan:What The Masurian Lakes costs →

Which of the three

The plan has room for just one, as a fourth day. Without a car it's one of the boats: Węgorzewo is the shorter and cheaper trip, while Ruciane-Nida goes to a part of the region the plan doesn't show. With a car, the Elbląg Canal brings something the plan doesn't have, a boat that crosses land.