The Saxon Elbe & Tharandt Forest

Blick zum Spitzhaus

To the Saxon Elbeland by bus & rail

Wine, porcelain and ...

... bags of charm. Can we take you away? To the Elbe, with its mild climate, rich history and Mediterranean charm – to the romantic holiday region of the Saxon Elbeland and the Tharandt Forest.

To come here is to journey to the heart of Saxony. And there will be no need to go thirsty! Take the Saxon Wine Trail and the Saxon Wine Road and you can sample fine Saxon vintages in lovely countryside characterised by vineyards.

One ticket. Travel on everything.

You don't have to worry about how to get there and back. We will show you how best to do it. Just jump on. A standard tariff applies to local trains, the S-Bahn, trams, buses and almost every ferry.

The transport association – VVO association area

More information

The VVO area is divided into 21 tariff zones. Whichever form of transport you use, and however often you get on and off, the prices you pay are based on these zones. When you travel, you simply count the number of zones you will pass through.

Tarifzonenübersicht


Vorschau: Zum Vergrößern und für Details bitte auf die Karte klicken (PDF, 1,1 MB)

To the Saxon Elbeland / Tharandt Forest by bus & rail

S-Bahn

The S 1 S-Bahn is the main local transport artery in the Elbe valley, carrying you quickly to Radebeul Ost, the station where the Radebeul–Radeburg Railway starts from, and to Meissen's historic old town. The S-Bahn S 3 route takes you from Dresden via Freital straight to the Tharandt Forest and will likewise take you to the Weisseritz Valley Railway (starts from: Freital-Hainsberg).

Regional railways (RB) / RegionalExpress (RE)

The RE 50 is the connection between Dresden and Leipzig. The Saxonia Express runs every 60 minutes and thus connects places like Riesa, Oschatz or Wurzen to optimal. (Please note that no VVO tariff applies from Riesa, use Deutsche Bahn tickets). Between Riesa and Oschatz you can use the RIO fare: https://www.vvo-online.de/Rio

The trains of the RB 30 and the RE 3 also take you from Dresden via Freital to the Tharandt Forest and are feeders for the Weißeritztalbahn (start: Freital-Hainsberg).

With the connection of the RE 15 from Dresden via Großenhain, Ruhland to Hoyerswerda as well as the RE 18 from Dresden via Großenhain, Ruhland to Cottbus, these areas are optimally connected.


Want to explore the Elbland by bus? Many bus lines of the Verkehrsgesellschaft Meißen mbH (VGM) as well as the Regionalverkehr Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge GmbH (RVSOE) will take you to your destination in a relaxed way.

The Elbe ferries

Inhaltsbild VGM-Fähre Diesbar-Seußlitz

In the VVO area there are currently 19 ferry stations, four of which are within the Saxon Elbeland. They are the ideal way to help cyclists to use the cycle trail on both sides of the river. You can use most ferries with the VVO tariff. Just come on across!

VVO tariff tip for getting there and back

Day ticket

If you are travelling by bus & train and returning on the same day, we recommend the day ticket. Day tickets are valid for any number of journeys from validation until 4 a.m. the following day.

Reduced day tickets can also be used by people over 60 years of age.

Tip: A maximum of 2 schoolchildren up to their 15th birthday may travel on a day ticket at the normal fare. Bicycles and dogs may not be taken in place of persons.

1 fare zone (outside Dresden): 7,80 Euro (reduced: 6,50 Euro)
fare zone Dresden: 9,00 Euro (reduced: 7,50 Euro)
2 fare zones: 12,50 Euro (reduced: 10,40 Euro)
VVO region: 20,50 Euro (reduced rate 17,00 Euro)

Family day ticket

For family travel or travel as a couple, we offer the family day ticket. The ticket is valid for 2 adults and max. 4 pupils up to their 15th birthday from the time of validation until 4 a.m. the following day:

1 fare zone: 13,10 Euro
2 fare zones: 18,00 Euro
VVO region: 27,70 Euro

Small group ticket

In a group of up to 5 people, all means of public transport (except special means of transport) are open to you for one day.

We offer the small group ticket for one or two tariff zones as well as for the entire area covered by the association. The small group ticket is valid on the day of validation until 4 a.m. the following day.

1 fare zone: 21,70 Euro
2 fare zones: 29,20 Euro
VVO Area: 40,30 Euro

As at: 1 April 2025

Buying tickets – here you can get your ticket

Get your ticket

If travelling by train, please stamp these tickets before you board the train; if travelling by bus or tram, stamp them when you board the vehicle.

You can also get tickets

  • from the ticket machines in the tram or
  • from the driver on city and regional bus services

These tickets are already validated.

Simple ticket & timetable via app

View current departures in real time and buy tickets quickly and cashlessly via one of the apps in the VVO.

VVO mobile website DVB mobile website Deutsche Bahn website

Taking cycles and the bike bus

Cycling in the Saxon Elbeland – healthy and enjoyable. On the Radebeul–Radeburg Railway and the Weisseritz Valley Railway you can take bikes in the luggage/bicycle compartment.

Providing there is space, you can take your bike on buses and trains.

The best ticket for your bicycle

If you wish to take your bicycle on bus & rail or the bike bus, just buy a cycle day ticket. The price is based on the tariff zones in which you intend to travel:

  • To travel in one tariff zone you need the price level 1 cycle day ticket, costing 2 Euro.
  • To travel in two or more tariff zones, buy the cycle day ticket for the entire VVO area, costing 3 Euro.

The cycle day ticket is valid up to 4am on the day following the day of stamping.

Around the region by bus & rail Discover new places

Lößnitzgrundbahn: From Radebeul to Radeburg

Lößnitzgrundbahn

The Radebeul–Radeburg Railway runs every day from the town of Radebeul (Radebeul Ost), famous for its wine and the author Karl May. The train puffs its way past the villas of Radebeul town and past the vineyards and plunges into the romantic Lössnitz Valley.

 

Meissen city tour

Meissen city tour

If you wish to explore Meissen in comfort and have all the main sights explained, we recommend the city tours. From April to October, the city tour stops every 30 minutes at all the main points, such as the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory, the historic market or the Albrechtsburg with its cathedral.

 

Dresden-Elbe region tour

Inhaltsbild Dresden-Elbland-Tour

The new Dresden-Elbeland Tour leads to Meissen, Moritzburg and Radebeul.

A varied day in the Saxon Elbeland guarantees you a personal experience for which you can exclusively use public transport.

Weißeritztalbahn: From Freital to the Eastern Ore Mountains

Weißeritztalbahn im Rabenauer Grund

Germany's oldest working, steam-driven narrow gauge railway offers a very special experience as you journey from Freital-Hainsberg through the Rabenau Valley to Kurort Kipsdorf. Take in the unique landscapes you pass through as you enjoy the trip in comfortable carriages.

brochure „Auf in die Region Dresden Elbland“

Titelbild VVO-Regionenflyer Dresden Elbland

May we take you away? To the Elbe with its mild climate, traditional history and Mediterranean charm - to the holiday region of Dresden Elbland with the Tharandter Wald.

We'll show you how to get around comfortably - by S-Bahn, bus, FahrradBUS, ferry or historic vehicles. In our brochure you will find information on all means of transport from one source and a clear map showing the route network of the region.