River Elbe ferries
In Saxony there are a total of around 30 ferry connections, currently 19 of those are in the VVO region. Along the 52 kilometres of river between Dresden and the Czech border there are 13 ferry crossing, an average of one every four kilometres.
The ferries in the VVO region play a very important role in the transportation structure of the region. An estimated 10,000 people use the ferries daily and at peak times even more. In the County of Saxon Switzerland the ferries often connect towns on the right side of the river with the train station on the left, for example in Bad Schandau or Rathen. Car ferries such as the ones in Pillnitz or Niedermuschütz prevent drivers from having to take long detours. The VVO ferries travel around 300,000 vehicle kilometres per year.
The tourist function of the ferries has gained in importance in the past few years. Tourist attractions along the River Elbe such as Saxon Switzerland or the region around Riesa and Meißen become accessible thanks to the ferries. Especially on those ferries with longer routes, for example the ferry between Brockwitz and Scharfenberg, the trip itself is an experience. The ferry in Rathen creates a connection from the S-Bahn to the open air stage and to the most beautiful tourist attractions in Saxon Switzerland. Without the Schöna-Hrensko ferry, the lively, cross border hiking and shopping would not be possible.
Overview of the ferries operating in the VVO region
| F1 | Schöna, Bf. (D) - Hrensko, Ort (CZ) (cross-border, no VVO tickets or travel passes) |
| F2 | Schmilka, Hp. Hirschmühle - Schmilka, Ort |
| F3 | Krippen - Postelwitz |
| F4 | Krippen, Bornsteg - Bad Schandau, Elbkai/Stadt (Born Ferry) |
| F5 | Bad Schandau, Bf. - Bad Schandau, Elbkai/Stadt (Station Ferry) |
| F6 | Königstein - Halbestadt |
| F7 | Niederrathen - Oberrathen (no VVO tickets or travel passes) |
| F8 | Stadt Wehlen, Fußweg zum Bf. - Stadt Wehlen, Markt |
| F9 | Pirna - Pirna-Copitz |
| F10 | Heidenau - Birkwitz |
| F14 | Pillnitz - Kleinzschachwitz (car and passanger ferry) |
| F16 | Laubegast - Niederpoyritz |
| F17 | Johannstadt - Neustadt |
| F23 | Radebl. - Coswig - Meißen - Niederlommatzsch (river trip (rather than crossing), no VVO tickets or travel passes) |
| F24 | Coswig-Kötitz - Gauernitz |
| F25 | Coswig-Brockwitz - Scharfenberg |
| F27 | Kleinzadel - Niedermuschütz (car and passenger ferry) |
| F28 | Diesbar-Seußlitz - Niederlommatzsch |
| F29 | Riesa - Promnitz |
| F30 | Strehla - Lorenzkirch (car and passenger ferry) |
Please note:
Ferries ply during operating times mainly on demand and depending on other river traffic, rather than to a strict timetable. When travel information is provided, ferry connections are included with ‘provisional’ departure times, actual departure times may vary.
It is not possible to publish an accurate and comprehensive timetable for the ferries. Timetable pages showing ferry connections can only give a rough overview of the operating times.
Tariffs for the River Elbe ferries
VVO tickets are also valid for the River Elbe ferries according to their geographic and temporal validity. If you are only using a ferry, then special tariffs apply.