Train to Dresden - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Currency: euro (EUR). Payment cards are widely accepted and cash comes in handy in smaller establishments.

• How much to go for: a weekend (2 days) is enough for the main attractions of the old town. You can spend a third day at Pillnitz Castle or Moritzburg Palace.

• Museums and galleries: there are 37 museums and more than 40 galleries in the city.

• Practical tip: in December, the Altmarkt marketplace hosts the Striezelmarkt, one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany.

The best choice is May–June or September - daytime temperatures are 18–24°C, queues to attractions are shorter than in July and August, and accommodation prices drop after the holiday peak.

Spring (March–May)

• The gardens and parks along the Elbe come to life, and the Japanese Garden at Pillnitz Castle opens in May.

• Daytime temperatures range from 8°C in March to 21°C in May, so a light jacket is sufficient from mid-April.

• Tourist traffic increases in May, but queues at the Zwinger and Frauenkirche are shorter than in summer.

Summer (June–August)

• July and August are peak season, so you'll spend more time queuing at the Frauenkirche and Zwinger.

• There are open-air festivals in summer, including the Dresden Contemporary Music Days.

• In the evening, head to the Brühl Terraces and the Elbe as the sun sets over the river.

Autumn (September–November)

• September combines warm weather with smaller crowds and lower accommodation prices.

• In October, daytime temperatures are 12–15°C, making it a great time for walks along the Elbe and through the parks.

• In November it rains more often, and the city begins to prepare for the Christmas market season.

Winter (December–February)

• In December, the Striezelmarkt — one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany, with a tradition dating back to 1434 — takes place on the Altmarkt square.

• Daytime temperatures are 2–6°C, but museums and galleries can fill an entire itinerary.

• January and February are the quietest months, when accommodation prices are lower and the exhibition halls are less crowded.

You can get to Dresden from several Polish cities with one change. The shortest journey is from Wrocław - the journey takes about 3.5 hours.

From Wrocław

• The journey takes about 3.5 hours.

• The route crosses the Polish–German border, and in the final stretch you will see views of the Lusatian Mountains.

• Several connections per day allow you to choose either a morning or afternoon departure.

From Poznań

• The journey takes around 5–6 hours with a change in either Berlin or Wrocław.

• The option via Berlin is sometimes shorter than the one via Wrocław, so it is worth checking both connections.

• Poznań is on the route to Berlin, so you will find several possible journey options throughout the day.

From Kraków

• The journey takes about 6–7 hours with a change in either Wrocław or Katowice.

• Changing in Wrocław is straightforward, as you change trains at the same station.

• Departing in the morning allows you to reach Dresden in the early afternoon.

From Warsaw

• With one change in Wrocław or Berlin, the journey takes about 7–8 hours.

• The route via Wrocław is shorter, while the option via Berlin allows you to plan a short stopover in the German capital.

• Leave Warsaw in the morning and arrive in Dresden in the evening.

You can buy a ticket on Europodróże without creating an account - enter the route, choose the train and pay. The ticket is sent to your e-mail and by SMS. 30 minutes before departure you will receive an SMS reminder with a direct link to your ticket. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats. A seat reservation is compulsory on the international leg. You can return your PKP Intercity tickets up to 20 minutes before departure and exchange them up to 30 minutes before departure — see the refund and exchange policy for details.

From Dresden Hauptbahnhof you can walk or take the tram to the Old Town in just a few minutes. The station is close to the centre, so with light luggage you can easily set off on foot.

Trams and buses also serve more distant destinations such as Pillnitz and Moritzburg. A single ticket costs a few euros, and a day ticket a little more. If you plan several journeys in a day, a day ticket will be more practical. You can buy tickets from machines at the stops.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps are available outside the station. These are useful if you have heavy luggage or are travelling late at night when trams run less frequently.

Extensive cycle routes run along the Elbe. On a sunny day, a bicycle is ideal for a ride along the riverside boulevards or the trip out to Pillnitz.

You can get around the Old Town on foot. The Zwinger, Frauenkirche, Brühl Terraces, Semper Opera House and Dresden Castle can all be reached on a single walk. For a city break in Dresden, walking and public transport are all you need.

Where to stay:

• Old Town - ideal for tourists who want all the main attractions within walking distance; accommodation prices are higher than in other districts.

• Neustadt - an artistic neighbourhood on the other side of the Elbe with a local atmosphere, restaurants and bars; accommodation prices are lower than in the Old Town.

In the Old Town, the main sights lie close together. You can visit the most important places in 1–2 days, and add further points of interest on a third day.

Frauenkirche

The cathedral on Neumarkt Square, rebuilt after the destruction of the Second World War. Admission to the interior is free. There is a charge to climb the dome, from the top of which you can enjoy a panorama of the city and the Elbe. A visit takes about 30–45 minutes.

Zwinger

A Baroque palace complex with a courtyard and fountains. Inside are the Old Masters Gallery with paintings by Raphael and Titian, and the Salon of Mathematics and Physics. There is an entrance fee. A visit takes approximately 1.5–2 hours.

Brühl Terraces (Brühlsche Terrasse)

A scenic promenade above the Elbe, known as the 'Balcony of Europe'. Admission is free. In the evening, as the sun sets over the river, the view is particularly appealing for a stroll. A visit takes about 20–30 minutes.

Dresden Castle (Dresdner Schloss)

The residence of the Saxon electors, with 800 years of history. Inside is the Grünes Gewölbe (Green Vault), one of the richest treasury collections in Europe. There is an entrance fee. A visit takes about 1–2 hours.

Semper Opera House

One of the most beautiful opera houses in Europe and home of the Sächsische Staatsoper. During the day you can take a guided tour of the interior, and in the evening you can attend a performance. Tickets for popular performances are worth booking in advance.

Pillnitz Castle

A summer royal residence on the Elbe, about 12 km from the centre. You can get there by tram or by ferry along the Elbe. The Japanese Garden is open from May. A visit takes about 1.5–2 hours.

Pfunds Molkerei

A dairy shop listed in the Guinness Book of Records in 1997 as the world's most beautiful dairy. The interior is lined with hand-painted tiles. Admission is free, but photography inside is not permitted.

One-day itinerary

Start the morning at the Frauenkirche and Neumarkt Square, where it is quieter at that time of day. Before noon, head to the Zwinger and the Old Masters Gallery. In the afternoon, stroll the Brühl Terraces above the Elbe and visit Dresden Castle. In the evening, cross the Augustusbrücke bridge to the Neustadt district, where you will find restaurants and bars away from the main tourist centre.

Weekend itinerary (2 days)

Day 1: Start with the Frauenkirche and Neumarkt Square in the morning, walk to the Zwinger and the Old Masters Gallery before noon, stroll the Brühl Terraces in the afternoon and visit Dresden Castle, then head to the Neustadt district in the evening.

Day 2: In the morning, visit Dresden Castle and the Grünes Gewölbe if you didn't manage it the day before, or opt for the Semper Opera House. In the afternoon, take the ferry along the Elbe to Pillnitz Castle, or catch a bus to Moritzburg Palace — a Baroque hunting lodge surrounded by ponds, about 14 km from the centre.

What to eat

Sauerbraten - marinated pot roast served with dumplings and red cabbage.

Quarkkeulchen - cottage cheese and potato fritters, fried in butter and served with apple sauce.

Dresdner Stollen - a traditional Christmas cake with dried fruit and marzipan, available in bakeries all year round.

The Neustadt district is the artistic part of Dresden on the other side of the Elbe. Here you will find smaller restaurants, bars and cafés with prices lower than in the Old Town. If you are looking for a local atmosphere, this is the place to head. Äußere Neustadt (Outer New Town) has the highest concentration of establishments per square metre in the whole of Dresden.

Around the Altmarkt square and Neumarkt square by the Frauenkirche there are restaurants with views of the historic buildings. Prices there are higher than in Neustadt, but an evening dinner by the illuminated cathedral has a special atmosphere.

Pfunds Molkerei sells local dairy products — cheese, butter and yoghurt — in addition to its stunning interior. It is a great address if you want to buy an unusual souvenir from Dresden.

For shopping, visit the Altmarkt-Galerie shopping centre near the Old Town. A characteristic souvenir of the region is Meissen porcelain, and shops selling original pieces can be found in the city centre.

In December, the Striezelmarkt on the Altmarkt square offers local sweets, mulled wine and handicrafts. The tradition of this market dates back to 1434.

Souvenirs

• Meissen porcelain - a characteristic souvenir of the region; shops selling original pieces can be found in the city centre.

• Dresdner Stollen - traditional Christmas cake with dried fruit and marzipan, available in bakeries all year round.

• Products from Pfunds Molkerei - local cheeses, butter and yoghurts from a shop listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

A weekend in Dresden with one overnight stay costs approximately £240–1,570 PLN, depending on the standard and your itinerary.

Budget - hostel or hotel outside the city centre, food from bakeries and fast-food outlets, a day ticket for public transport, and free attractions such as the Frauenkirche, Brühl Terraces and a walk around Neustadt.

Mid-range - 3-star hotel in the centre, restaurants in Neustadt, a day ticket and admission to the Zwinger and Dresden Castle.

Comfort - 4-star hotel or apartment near the Old Town, dinner with a view of the Frauenkirche, taxis, a performance at the Semper Opera House and a tour of the Grünes Gewölbe.

Prices are approximate and depend on season and availability. Accommodation tends to be more expensive in December when the Striezelmarkt is running, and in July and August. Card payments are accepted in most places.