A boat party in Katowice in practice means a cruise on the Pogoria lakes in Dąbrowa Górnicza, about 20 km from the city centre. You hire the whole boat for 2 hours, and we agree the departure time and boarding point with you. For the night to be a success, you need to plan one thing that’s easy to forget: getting there and back.
Below you’ll find travel options from Katowice and other towns in Silesia and Zagłębie (the neighbouring Dąbrowa Basin region), a sample plan for the evening and tips on combining the cruise with dinner or an after-party.
Where the boat sails – a boat party near Katowice
The BoatParty boat for guests from Katowice sails on the Pogoria lakes in Dąbrowa Górnicza. They’re four reservoirs created in former sand pits – how they differ and what’s worth seeing nearby is covered in our guide to the Pogoria lakes.
Which lake and which jetty? We don’t publish that in advance. The boarding point, start time and route are agreed when you book, and then we send you the full details. That way you book your transport to one specific address.
A lake has its own advantages: a wide expanse of water, sweeping views and beautiful reflections at sunset. A two-hour cruise is just right for a welcome, toasts, dancing and photos – with no time to get bored.
Getting from Katowice to Pogoria – four ways
Train – the quickest option from the centre
The easiest public transport option is the S1 line run by Koleje Śląskie (Silesian Railways). Trains run from Katowice station via Sosnowiec Główny and Będzin to Dąbrowa Górnicza – the journey to Dąbrowa Górnicza station takes about half an hour. Within the town the line has several stops, including Dąbrowa Górnicza Gołonóg, Dąbrowa Górnicza Pogoria and Dąbrowa Górnicza Ząbkowice. Not every train stops at all of them, though, so check the timetable for your particular service.
Metropolitan bus
From outside Katowice station, the M2 “metrolinia” – a metropolitan bus line run by the Metropolitan Transport Authority (ZTM) – goes to Dąbrowa Górnicza, stopping along the way at the Culture Zone (Strefa Kultury), among other places. Once there, you can change to local buses. You’ll find current departure times in the ZTM timetable search.
Car
From Katowice, most people take the S86 expressway towards Sosnowiec – the main road link between Upper Silesia and Zagłębie – and then follow the satnav to Dąbrowa Górnicza. In season, the municipal police check parking around the lakes, so only leave your car where parking is allowed. And of course: the driver doesn’t drink – not even “just one for the welcome toast”.
Hired minibus – the most convenient option for a group
With anywhere from a dozen to several dozen people, a hired minibus or coach from one meeting point in Katowice works best. Everyone arrives together, nobody gets lost changing trains, and after the cruise there’s no need to hunt for a late-night connection. Confirm the operator once you know the boarding point.
Getting there from other towns in Silesia and Zagłębie
Pogoria is easy to reach not just from Katowice. The S1 line directly links several of the region’s large towns, so some of your guests will be able to get there without changing.
| From | Easiest option | What to watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Sosnowiec, Będzin | S1 train or car | these towns lie on the way from Katowice – the shortest journey |
| Gliwice, Zabrze, Ruda Śląska, Chorzów | S1 train, no change needed | from Gliwice the journey takes about an hour |
| Zawiercie, Myszków, Częstochowa | S1 train from the north | check that your train stops at your chosen station in Dąbrowa |
| Tychy and other towns off the S1 line | travel to Katowice and share a minibus | the easiest way is to gather the whole group in one place |
If your guests are coming from different directions, set two meeting points – for example Katowice station and the boarding point – and send everyone a single message with the times.
Evening plan – a boat party in Katowice step by step
Here’s a sample schedule for a group setting off from central Katowice in mid-June, when the sun sets over Pogoria at around 20:55. On other dates, shift the times accordingly.
| Time | What’s happening |
|---|---|
| 18:15 | meet in Katowice, check the guest list |
| 18:30 | set off by minibus or train |
| 19:15 | arrive at the boarding point, welcome |
| 19:30–21:30 | cruise: toast, music, sunset in the second half of the party |
| 21:45 | head back towards Katowice or have dinner nearby |
| 22:30 | after-party in town or a relaxed end to the evening |
Allow 15–20 minutes’ leeway for the journey. The S86 between Katowice and Sosnowiec can get congested, especially during weekday rush hours.
Packages for a cruise from Katowice – what’s included
Every package includes hire of the boat for 2 hours and music. They differ in what awaits you on board:
- Basic – from €20 per person: the boat, music and the option to plug in your own playlist.
- Star – from €27 per person: on top of that, lighting effects with lasers, a welcome beer or 3 bottles of vodka, champagne or prosecco, 6 litres of soft drinks and juices, savoury snacks, a red-carpet entrance, a cooler with ice and the option to bring your own alcohol.
- VIP – from €36 per person: a welcome drink and 10 bottles of your choice, 20 litres of soft drinks, a Partymaker to look after your group, a bartender or hostess, a DJ with equipment and photo coverage.
Prices apply to groups of 30 or more. For smaller groups we’ll prepare an individual quote – see our offer for small groups in Katowice. You’ll find a full description of the packages and extras on the BoatParty Katowice page.
After the cruise – getting back to Katowice and the after-party
The most common mistake? Planning the evening only up to the moment you step off the boat. Before you send the form, decide how you’re getting back: the same minibus that brought you, a convenient train or taxis in several runs.
If you want to keep the party going, you have two options. You can book dinner in Dąbrowa Górnicza or head back to central Katowice, where the pedestrianised Mariacka Street has long been a meeting place for people from across the whole metropolitan area. Remember that drinking alcohol in the street, on the beach or by the lake is generally prohibited in Poland – save the toasts for the boat and for bars and restaurants. Sound carries a long way over water, so keep things calm once you’re on land.
It’s worth bringing a few small things on board – check our list of what to bring on a party cruise. Our step-by-step boat party checklist will make organising the whole thing easier.
Frequently asked questions – a boat party near Katowice
How long does it take to get from Katowice to Pogoria?
Dąbrowa Górnicza is about 20 km from Katowice. The Koleje Śląskie S1 train to Dąbrowa Górnicza station takes about half an hour. With a hired minibus, the time depends on traffic and on the boarding point, so it’s worth allowing some leeway.
Where exactly does the boat depart from?
The boat sails on the Pogoria lakes in Dąbrowa Górnicza. The exact boarding point, start time and route are agreed when you book and confirmed before the party.
Can we get there by public transport?
Yes. S1 trains and M2 metropolitan buses run from Katowice to Dąbrowa Górnicza. For a larger group heading back in the evening, though, a hired minibus is often more convenient.
How long do we hire the boat for?
In every package the boat is yours for 2 hours. The departure time is agreed individually – in the afternoon, at sunset or in the evening.
How far in advance do we need to book the cruise?
Send the booking form at least 5 working days before the event. Summer weekends are worth booking well in advance – the earlier you book, the better the offer.
Well-planned travel is half the battle – the rest is music, people and the view over Pogoria. Give us your date and group size in the form, and we’ll prepare an initial offer and suggest the cruise time that best fits your plans.
Book your private boat party
A private cruise near Katowice just for your group: two hours on the water, music and views. Send us an enquiry and we’ll put together an offer.
