Dresden has a very well-structured public transport system. It is possible to use trams, buses, commuter railways, ferries or taxis in Dresden. For longer trips there is also the railway system.
- Trams and Buses
- Railway
- Taxis
- Bicycles
Trams and Buses
Trams and buses are run within the city by the Dresden Public Transport Service (DVB AG) and regionally by the Oberelbe Transport Network (VVO). On their websites the companies display the entire network, all timetables and connections. You can plan your journey according to your own individual requirements here. You can also find information about departure times at every bus or tram stop. You can buy tickets at the stops, on the trams or buses and at service points. You must then stamp your tickets in the machines on the vehicle. If you use public transport often, it is advisable to buy a multiple-trip ticket, a monthly ticket or a yearly ticket. Do not ride without a ticket as tickets are checked frequently. If you are caught without a valid ticket you'll have to pay a fine of €60.
More information can be found on:
Public transportation services (DVB): www.dvb.de/en-gb
Upper Elbe Regional Transport (VVO): www.vvo-online.de/en
German Railway: www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml
Elbe cycle path: www.dresden.de/en/living/09/Bicycles.php
Depending on your travel plans and the duration of your stay, there are a number of different public transport passes that are especially valuable for visitors: single ticket, one-day passes, one-week pass, monthly pass, etc.
Tickets bought before your journey must be stamped immediately upon setting off in the tram or bus. Tickets bought from the bus driver or on the tram are pre-stamped. You can buy tickets at the ticket machines at many stops (not all), service points and customer centre. Another convenient way to buy tickets is via Handyticket: www.handyticket.de. After registration, you can buy your ticket directly by using your mobile.
Railway
In Dresden and its surrounding area you can also travel by commuter rail (S-Bahn). Connection information can be found at the above-mentioned sites and at Deutsche Bahn, where all of the longer connections of Deutsche Bahn (German Railway) are also available, for example the Inter City Express (ICE), Intercity (IC), Eurocity (EC) and Interregio (IR) train lines.
Information is also available at the Reisecenter (Travel Centre) in the Dresden Hauptbahnhof (main station) and the Dresden Neustadt station, as well as on the hotline 0800 1 50 70 90.
If you plan to travel frequently by train, it might be a good idea to buy one of the discount passes.
Taxis
Another possible mode of personal transportation is the taxi. It's not usual to stop a taxi by motioning from the side of the street as it drives by, but rather to go to a taxi stand, found all over the city. You can also call for a taxi using the hotline +49 (0351) 21 12 11 or order one online at Taxi Dresden. Taxi rates are comprised of a basic rate (2.50 EUR) plus the rate per kilometer (1.50 EUR per kilometer).
Bicycles
Many streets in Dresden have bike paths, which allow you to cycle easily through the city. The Elbe bike path, which runs east to west through the entire city area from the source of the Elbe in the Czech Republic to Mündung near the North Sea, is especially popular.
Source: www.dresden.de/en/living/09/Bicycles.php
MPI-CBG offers a special service for our staff; there are 3 Institute bicycles which can be booked via python-srv1.mpi-cbg.de/equipmentbooking/cgi-bin/index.py