Dresden, one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, will enchant you with its old town interwoven with monuments and the lively atmosphere of the Neustadt. How does transport work in Dresden, how to get here, parking in Dresden and how does public transport work? We’ll cover everything in today’s article.
How to get to Dresden, Germany
Airport Dresden
Dresden is very well connected to many major cities in Europe. Flughafen Dresden Airport is located 9 km north of the city centre in the Klotzsche district. From the city centre, you can get here by bus and S-Bahn (line S2).
The airport is smaller, well organized and not very crowded. The airport offers direct flights to London, Zurich, Frankfurt and holiday destinations.
Buses and trains to Dresden
Dresden has direct train connections to the following cities:
- Prague (2h30m; from €20)
- Berlin (1h50m; from €18)
- Leipzig (1h40m; from €17)
Dresden has two main train stations, Dresden Hauptbahnhof (main station) and Dresden-Neustadt, from where Deutsche Bahn operates regional and long-distance services to other parts of Germany and Europe.
In addition to trains, you can also get to Dresden by long-distance buses:
- Prague (2 h; from €15)
- Berlin (2h30m; from €18)
- Leipzig (1h30; from €8)
Buses stop at Busparkplatz Ammonstraße, about a 15-minute walk from the centre.
At this link you will find the current train and bus connections to Dresden.
By car to Dresden
The maximum speed on roads is 100 km/h, in towns 50 km/h and on motorways and expressways 130 km/h is recommended. You don’t need a vignette in Germany.
Basic equipment includes a reflective vest, warning triangle and first aid kit. If the roads are covered with snow or ice, winter tyres with the snowflake symbol are mandatory.
Parking in Dresden
There are several parking garages and uncovered car parks in and around the centre of Dresden. Prices for a day’s parking in the Altstadt underground garage are usually between €25-30.
The best value is the Q-Park parking garage right in the centre, next to the Neumarkt and Frauenkirche. The garage has almost 700 parking spaces. Vehicle height is limited to 2 metres.
Looking for a cheap place to park near the centre of Dresden? Here are 3 tips:
- The Contipark parking garage behind the Dresden Opera House, just a few minutes from the city centre – all-day parking for €6 and a maximum vehicle height of 1.95m.
- Uncovered car park under the Carolabrücke Bridge – the car park is located right by the Elbe on the edge of the historic centre. All-day parking is €6 and payment is only possible in cash. It’s not big and it tends to get busy early.
- The large and uncovered Reitbahnstraße car park is located on Prager Straße, from where you can reach the Altmarkt in a few minutes. All-day parking is €8.
Public transport in Dresden
Public transport in Dresden is mainly provided by Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe (DVB), which operates an extensive network of trams and buses throughout the city. The centre is mainly served by trams. The outskirts of Dresden are easily accessible by public buses.
The Dresden S-Bahn, part of the German S-Bahn network, is a suburban railway serving the metropolitan area. It connects Dresden with its surroundings, including towns such as Meissen and Pirna and parts of the eastern Erzgebirge.
How much do tickets cost in Dresden?
Single tickets cost €2.70 (reduced rate €1.70) and are valid for 1 hour. A day ticket costs €6.90 (reduced rate €5.80). One adult and up to 2 children under 15 years of age can travel on one day ticket.
You can buy tickets:
- in selected stores
- at tram or bus stops – this applies only to selected, large stops where you will find large yellow machines.
- there are small ticket machines on buses and trams where you can buy a single or day ticket. In modern trams or buses, there are machines at the front and you can pay with a contactless card or mobile phone. Older trams have machines at the back and you pay with coins.
- using the DVB mobile app. To use the app, you must first register on Handyticket.de. After registration, you will receive a pin, log in to Handyticket using your pin and phone number, and then enter your address and payment method. Once you have filled in your details, you can log in to the DVB mobile app and buy your ticket in a few clicks.
Elbe cruise and sightseeing bus
Boat cruise on the Elbe is one of the best ways to experience Dresden. The Elbe Valley was originally on the UNESCO list of monuments.
Surrounded by beautiful buildings, you can turn your head from one side to the other – Dresden Cathedral, the Semperoper, the Japanese Palace in Neustadt or some of the state institutions that are housed in the historic premises.
Another popular way to explore Dresden is a ride on a sightseeing bus . The buses are blue-green and you won’t miss them. The stations are well marked and some of them are staffed.
Buses run every 15-20 minutes and stop at 22 stops. You can get off and back on at any time, so sightseeing buses are a good alternative to local public transport. Ticket covers unlimited use of the sightseeing buses for one or two full days.
Dresden map
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map with the best things to do in Dresden. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I mention in the Dresden guide. If you want to save the map, star it. It will then be saved to your Google Maps and can be retrieved at any time on your mobile phone or computer. For a larger version of the map, click on the icon in the top right corner.
This was our guide to transport in Dresden. Do you have a question? Let me know in the comments below or share your experience. Have a safe journey!
More information about Germany
Dresden: Here’s a list of the best things to do in Dresden.
GERMANY: Here’s more inspiration on the best things to do in Germany.
BERLIN: Berlin is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. Get inspired by the best things to do in Berlin.
HAMBURG: Hamburg is considered by some to be the most beautiful city in Germany. Take a look at our tips on the things to do in Hamburg and form your own opinion.
GERMAN ALPS: Germany has carved out a beautiful part of the Alps for itself. What to do and what hiking trails to take in the German Alps can be found in a separate article.
