Dresden

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Basic about Dresden

Dresden is the capital of the Free State of Saxony, in southern Germany. The city has approximately 500,000 citizens and more than 10 million visitors per year.

Getting Around (Public Transportation)

Tram Lines and buses

Dresden offers a comprehensive network of regular public transport, with 12 tram routes and 27 bus routes. The Dresden transport corporation DVB recently added 60 low-floor trams and 123 low-floor buses to its fleet.

A ride of four stops or fewer costs €1.70, a 24-hour pass is €4.50. Maps and tickets are sold at automated dispensers outside the main rail station. There is limited service after midnight.

Suburban railways (S-Bahn)

Three Dresden suburban railway services connect the city with the larger neighbouring communities, above all those in the Elbe valley.

S1 – Meissen to Schöna via Pirna (Saxon Switzerland)
S2 – Dresden-Hauptbahnhof (city centre) to Dresden Airport
S3 – Dresden-Hauptbahnhof (city centre) to Tharandt via Freital

Cable Cars (funicular railway)

The Loschwitz cable railways are two of Dresden’s most captivating means of transport.

The busier and more accessible of the two is the Standseilbahn. The 547-meter long funicular railway links the suburb of Loschwitz with the hillside residential area of Weisser Hirsch. This cable car has been in service since 1895.

The cable cars between Loschwitz and Oberloschwitz, called the Schwebebahn have been in operation since 1901. The two passenger cabins are each suspended on a 256-meter long support rail and are pulled to a height of 84 meters, providing passenger with an excellent view of the city.

The valley stations of the two cable railways are located just off Körnerplatz. They each take just five minutes to bring passengers to the top of the slopes above the Elbe valley.

Fare on either funicular is € 1.70 each way. For operating hours and more details, contact the tourist office at tel. 0351/8571011.

Ferry

The Elbe ferries are the most romantic means of transport in Dresden. The ferry operates all year around, in all weather; they smoothly glide across the waves and offer passengers a short and convenient way to cross the river.

Five ferries service Dresden, each operated by the same authorities that maintain the city’s network of trams and buses. One is a vehicular ferry across the River Elbe between Dresden-Kleinzschachwitz and the Pillnitz Castle. The passenger ferries operate between Laubegast and Niederpoyritz, Johannstadt and Neustadt and Cossebaude and Radebeul.

To reach its departure point, take tram no. 1 from Postplatz. For more information, call tel. 0351/8571011.

Taxis

There are some 500 taxis on the road 24 hours a day, with almost 100 taxi ranks spread across the whole city. To order service call tel. 0351-211211 nationwide: 19410

Visitor Information

The Information Centre, Pragerstrasse 10 (tel. 351/49192100), is open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Another branch of the Information Centre is located at the Schinkelwache, Theaterplatz (next to the Semper Opera). It has the same phone number and the same business hours, plus it is open Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Here you can:

  • Purchase a map of Dresden and souvenirs
  • Get information booklets in English
  • Book your accommodation (hotels, pensions, guest rooms)
  • Buy tickets for the theatre, opera and concerts, including an exclusive advance sale for the Historic Green Vault
  • Book a sightseeing tours and rent audio guides
  • Purchase Dresden Cards