I enjoyed a day in Dresden back in 2016 and managed to cover all the big ticket items such as the Dresdner Zwinger and Frauenkirche. My visit this month was more about football, running, food and drink, as well as escaping the midwinter lethargy which seeps into the soul in Scotland. I did do some normal touroid stuff – well almost normal – just to conform.
As for the basics, I took the train from Berlin. The best timing turned out to be a Čésky dráhy service to Prague. I enjoyed it. A breath of fresh air after British trains. The journey time was 1 hour 45 minutes. The cost was €42.49 – one way in 1st class (with my older person discount, and booked well in advance). It arrived on time (from Flensburg). It set off for Prague on time. It arrived in Dresden Neustadt on time.
I used Flixbus to travel back to Berlin – the service which stops at Brandenburg Airport where I stayed the night ahead of a mid morning flight home. It took 1 hour 50 minutes and cost €15.98, including a reservation for a front row seat. It too left and arrived on time. It too was pleasant and comfortable.
It is like comparing apples with oranges, but I did enjoy thinking about whether the train was better value than the bus.
I stayed at the mightyTwice Hotel, located just a few tram stops out of town from the Dresden Neustadt railway station. It was a delight. Great staff. A lovely room.
A wonderful breakfast. A tram stop 100m away. The hotel cost was €88 per night, inclusive of breakfast. I had a double room for single occupancy.
https://www.twicehotels.de/dresden
Usually I put quite a bit of thought and research into my travel bookings, and this time it certainly paid off.
ⓒ iain taylor, 2025
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