The Saxon Elbe & Tharandt Forest

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.

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

• Tariff zones plan with network guide and border stops (PDF, 3 MB)

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).

• S-Bahn S 1 timetable
• S-Bahn S 3 timetable

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

• RE 50 RegionalExpress timetable

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.

• RB 30 RegionalBahn timetable
• RE 3 RegionalExpress timetable
• RE 15 RegionalExpress timetable
• RE 18 RegionalExpress timetable

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.

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 Elbe ferries

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)

• More information about day tickets
• Overview of prices
• VVO fare zones (VVO region)

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

• More information about day tickets
• Overview of prices
• VVO fare zones (VVO region)

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

• More information about day tickets
• Overview of prices
• VVO fare zones (VVO region)

As at: 1 April 2025

Get your ticket

• from ticket machines at stations,
• from the service centres of our transport company partners,
• from the VVO Mobility Centre, Leipziger Straße 120, 00127 Dresden

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.

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.

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.

• Radebeul–Radeburg Railway

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.

• Meissen city 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.

• Dresden-Elbeland Tour

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.

• Weisseritz Valley Railway