How to Get from Dresden to Berlin The Cheap and Pleasant Way

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure page for more details.

Last Updated on: 19th June 2023, 06:40 pm

Looking to travel from Dresden to Berlin? Here’s the efficient and inexpensive way that I traveled from Dresden to Berlin by bus, plus some handy tips to make your journey even easier than mine was.

You can use this if you are taking a day trip from Dresden to Berlin or going to visit Dresden for a few days but flying into Berlin (which is what I did!).

Headed to Berlin? Read: What to Pack for Germany

My Favorite Travel Booking Sites for 2023

These are my favorite companies that I use on my own travels.

Protect Your Trip via Safety Wing

Find the best city tours, day tours, bus tours, & skip-the-line tickets on GetYourGuide and Viator.

Find the best deals on hotels & vacation rentals on Booking.com.

For English-speaking private airport transfers, book through Welcome Pickups.

For road trips and independent travel, rent a car through Discover Cars.

Find information and cruise reviews on Cruise Critic.

For packing and travel essentials order via Amazon.

Book an affordable family or romantic photography session on your trip through Flytographer (Use the code HISTORYFANGIRL for 10% off your first photoshoot).

For travel guidebooks to have with you during your trip, I always pick one or two from Rick Steves and Lonely Planet.

Dresden to Berlin Bus Routes

I chose to travel by bus for two reasons. The first is that the bus is cheaper (and more frequent) than taking the train. The second reason is that I used FlixBus to get from Berlin to Dresden when I arrived in Germany, and the experience was so pleasant that I was excited to use them again.

FlixBus picks up passengers at two locations in Dresden and drops off at eight different spots in Berlin.

RegioJet also operates buses between the two cities, but the time listed was about an hour longer than Flix Bus, so I did not investigate this option further.

Option 1: Depart from Dresden Central Station

The pickup spot at Dresden Central Station is across the street. This is where I got dropped off when I took the bus from Berlin to Dresden. Look for a bus stop across the street with FlixBus signage.

Buses leave from Dresden Central Station over twenty times per day.

Option 2: Depart from Dresden Neustadt Station

This is where I chose to leave from since it was closest to the Hertz Car Rental where I dropped of my rental car. The pickup spot is a bus stop behind the train station. I had a hard time finding it at first, but when I got close I saw that there were several FlixBus signs on it.

Buses leave from Dresden Neustadt Station over twenty times per day.

Berlin Drop-Off Points

FlixBus offers drop-offs at the following stops:

Berlin Central Bus Station
Alexanderplatz
Sudkreuz
Shoenfield (SXF)
Tegel (TXL)
Alt-Tegel
Berlin Zoo
S-Treptowerpark

How to Buy Flix Bus Tickets Online

FlixBus has a great online platform. You can buy your tickets on their website or on their app. My favorite part is that you can show your online ticket instead of having to print it off. Not every European bus company allows you to use the electronic ticket.

When purchasing tickets, you need to make sure you pick the exact departure and drop-off that you want. Not every bus goes to every pick-up and drop-off. Worse, they may actually refuse to pick you up at a different one, since their official policy is your ticket is only good from the specified departure and arrival points that your ticket states.

The Cost to Travel from Dresden to Berlin

I paid $11.99 USD for my bus ticket. They have tiered pricing based on popularity, so tickets can be anywhere from $11.99 to over $20.00. I paid less for my ticket from Dresden to Berlin than vice-versa, since ticket prices vary.

See also

The Best Quotes about Dresden

Trains are currently priced at over forty euros for a one-way ticket in second class, so the bus is definitely the more economical route!

Where to Meet the Bus

If you get dropped off at the entrance of Dresden Neustadt Station, you’ll actually need to go behind the station to the pickup spot. The ticket will include a map, and I found the map to be extremely accurate. You’ll see a bus stop with a FlixBus sign. Note that the bus won’t stop for very long, so don’t worry if you don’t see your bus until time to go.

If you get to the station early, you can enjoy the free wifi inside. Both Dresden train stations have free wifi for visitors. They also have places to buy bus snacks.

My Trip Experience

Since I had trouble finding the FlixBus pickup at Schoenfield Airport in Berlin, I got to the train station in Dresden early so that I had time to find the bus pickup. Even though it’s clearly marked on the map, I still had some trouble finding it. Once I located it, I went to the stop fifteen minutes early since that’s what the bus company’s instructions state.

Several other passengers were waiting, too. The bus actually arrived a few minutes late. After we boarded, I went to the upper deck and found my seat.

The ride was completely uneventful. The seats were comfortable, and the wifi was great. I had some issues connecting to the wifi initially, but once I did it worked fantastically. I was even able to make a Facetime call without the internet disconnecting.

The next stop was my final destination in Berlin. We got in about twenty minutes late because of traffic.

All in all, it was an extremely easy bus ride!

Berlin Ground Transportation Options

https://sofiaadventures.com/balkan-countries/

The public transportation options in Berlin are fantastic. A ticket from your the nearest public transit spot to your accommodations costs 2.80 Euros. I believe that every one of the Berlin drop-off points is right next to a station for the S or U trains.

My initial plan was to take the S train from Südkreuz, but the station near the apartment I’m staying in was temporarily closed. I ended up taking an Uber, which cost about fourteen Euros. If you don’t have a German sim card and want to use Uber, note that many (but not all) stations have free wifi. I was able to use the free wifi at Südkreuz to order my Uber.

You can also take a taxi. This will be the most expensive option, but it will work in a pinch. The important thing to know before you leave is what the best transportation options are to the Berlin neighborhood you’re staying in.

Dresden to Berlin Train Options

I chose not to take the train because it would have taken longer and cost me three times as much. However, there are times when the train is preferred. You can check the times and up-to-date prices of the Dresden to Berlin railway line here.

FAQ about Traveling from Dresden to Berlin

Can you visit Dresden as a day trip from Berlin?

Yes! It’s about two to two and a half hours each way, and buses travel between the two cities frequently. While I loved Dresden and was happy to have more than just a day, I know that some travelers won’t have significant time to devote to both cities. Dresden is a beautiful city and you can see much of the core (but obviously not everything) in a day.

Can you fly from Dresden to Berlin?

Yes, but when you add in security times, it will take you longer to fly. It will also cost you way more. Looking at Skyscanner, it looks like flights are between seventy and two hundred euros.

Can you hire a taxi from Dresden to Berlin?

Yes, there are services that will help you hire a taxi to Dresden, but it’s going to cost you hundreds of euros. Yikes!

Does Flix Bus have Wifi?

Yes, and it was good enough that I successfully made a video call.

Does Flix Bus have a bathroom on board?

Yes, but I can’t speak to its cleanliness since I didn’t use it. After taking frequently using Balkan buses, my motto is always to bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer on a bus trip, no matter what. And bus snacks! Always bring bus snacks!

5 Things to Pack for the Trip from Dresden to Berlin

The Lonely Planet Germany guidebook for your trip. I’ve been looking for a hard copy here since I don’t like getting stuff delivered to me in Bulgaria, and I can’t find one. Definitely get your guidebook ahead of time.
An Unlocked Cell Phone so that you can use a German sim card and the app for Flix Bus.
Slaughterhouse-Five Vonnegut wrote this novel about his experiences in Dresden during the war. You can get a paperback, Kindle, or Audible copy. I’ve been listening to it on Audible while I walk around the city.
Your Bus Ticket (or Train Ticket) since you kind of want to be able to board your transportation, right? Other necessary items for the ride include toilet paper, hand sanitizer, bus or train snacks, and something to drink.
Travel Insurance Policy information, because things happen on the road. I pay for World Nomads, and I happily recommend them. It’s especially important to get travel insurance if you’re going to be doing any hiking or outdoor activities in Germany.

I have been a paying customer of World Nomads for travel insurance for two years, and I happily recommend them. It’s especially important to get travel insurance when participating in outdoor activities. Even in the cities, though, you’ll be happy when you’re able to replace your stuff if it’s lost or stolen.