Many travelers from Berlin plan to spend a few days in Dresden. The cities are only 120 miles apart and both have a variety of historical, off-beat, and unique attractions. Fortunately, there are plenty of options on how to get from Berlin to Dresden (or vice versa) so you can experience both. Find out which transportation option is the best and most convenient for you and your fellow travelers.
By train
Taking the train is a great way to get from Berlin to Dresden. Trains run throughout the day and tickets cost between $ 40 and $ 80 (depending on the type of train).
The super fast Intercity Express (ICE) train, which reaches speeds of up to 300 km / h, travels through Leipzig (worth a trip in itself) and you may have to change trains there, which adds another hour to the trip.
The Eurocity (EC) train is a better option. It is cheaper than ICE and goes directly to Dresden (about 2 hours).
You can book train tickets, look for special sales, and reserve a seat on the Deutsche Bahn (German rail service with English information) website.
By car
If you prefer to rent a car and drive from Berlin to Dresden, you will be on the road for about 2 hours without traffic. This may be the best option for families so that they can travel comfortably together and save money. Or it could just be your excuse to drive on the world famous Autobahn!
Base rates vary greatly based on time of year, length of rental, age of driver, destination, and rental location. Compare prices to find the best price. Please note that charges generally do not include 19% Value Added Tax (VAT), registration fee, or any airport fees (but do include required liability insurance) These additional fees can be up to 25% of the daily rent.
Some things to remember:
- The legal driving age in Germany is 18, but generally, drivers must be over 21 to rent a car. Depending on the company, they can pay a premium up to 25 years.
- Reserve your car in advance (14 days in advance, ideally) to get the best deals.
- German cars generally come with a manual transmission (gearshift). If you prefer an automatic transmission, ask the rental company and most can accommodate you. This can, like so many things, result in an additional charge.
Getting there is easy: just follow the Autobahn A 13 from Berlin to Dresden (or vice versa). There are many Dresden or Berlin landmarks along the way. Right Ausfahrt (exit) right in the city center.
By bus
The cheapest option, although less comfortable, to get from Berlin to Dresden is by bus. And not everything is bad; the trip will take you 2.5 hours to get from one city to another and can cost as little as $ 12. Bus tickets are a real bargain!
Additionally, bus services increase comfort levels like wifi, air conditioning, toilets, plugs, free newspapers, bunks, air conditioning, and of course toilets. Coaches are generally clean and on time, once again avoiding problems with traffic.
A recommended bus company is Berlin Linien with buses leaving every hour to Dresden.
By plane
You can fly from Berlin to Dresden, but this may be the worst option. Travelers generally have to stop in a city in central Germany (such as Düsseldorf), which makes the journey long (3-5 hours) and expensive. A better option to go from Berlin to Dresden (or vice versa) is to take the train or the car.
