Getting to Dresden

Like other major German cities, Dresden is well connected to the rest of Germany and the world by all forms of public transport, with reliable motorways, a major rail line and an international airport all providing access. The best option for getting here is to travel by air, with the airport only located a few miles to the north of the city, while trains and buses arrive all day from Berlin and other European cities.

By car

Dresden is well served by motorway, with the A13 supplying access from Berlin to the north and the A4 coming in from the east (Poland) and the west. It is quite possible to drive here from the UK via ferry/Eurotunnel, while there are also routes from Brussels, Cologne and most other parts of Europe. As the city centre is very congested and parking is difficult, park ‘n’ ride options are popular and in abundance for those staying outside the city.

By rail

Trains arrive in Dresden all day from regional, national and international destinations on the Deutsche Bundesbahn line, with more than a dozen arriving from Berlin (2 hours, 20 minutes) and Frankfurt (5 hours) per day. There are two main rail stations in the city; Dresden Neustadt in Schlesischer Park, and the Hauptbahnhof on Wiener Platz. It is easy to travel between the two stations via tram number 11.

By bus

As Dresden is positioned at the far eastern side of Germany, travelling here from other Western European countries by bus can be tiring and uncomfortable. However, Eurolines offer a regular service here from major destinations, which can be a cheap option.

By air

Dresden Klotsche Airport is located to the northeast of the city centre and receives daily flights from many German cities and major European destinations.  Major carriers include Lufthansa. Getting to Dresden is a breeze, with a rail line running from the airport to the city’s main station, while a bus/tram combination is also available, as is the more expensive taxi option.

Dresden Klotsche Airport

Dresden’s Klotsche Airport, or Flughafen Dresden, offers the most convenient option for getting to the city from a number of European destinations and to the rest of the world via other German airports. Lufthansa fly here from European, North Africa and other German cities, while Condor, Cirrus and Air Berlin also provide reliable services.

The airport has been well modernised from its early days as a military airport and includes many shops, cafés, restaurants and bars. Essential passenger facilities include: a bank, bureau de change, post office and first-aid as well as a duty-free shop, gift shops, a newsagents and a business centre.

Dresden Klotsche airport transportation

Options for travelling from the airport to the city and back are very good and reasonably priced. The S-Bahn train line offers the most reliable travel option to the city, with trains leaving throughout the day and taking just 15 to 20 minutes. In addition, visitors can take the bus/tram combination, with bus number 77 and tram number 7 providing service to downtown Dresden. Both of these options are similarly priced and fast, while for efficiency, taxis and limousines provide the best option. Alternative airports are in nearby Leipzig, Berlin and Prague.