Saxon Elbland
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Saxon Elbland is a region in the central part of Saxony. The region stretches along the Elbe river that forms diverse landscapes, ranging from rocks in Saxon Switzerland to meadows on highlands of Großenhainer and Lommatzscher Pflege. Saxon Elbland also comprises the Elbe valley and the city of Dresden, the main tourist destinations in Saxony.
[edit] Regions
- Dübener Heide – northern part of Saxon Elbland, sparsely populated region on the boundary of Saxony, Brandenburg, and Saxony-Anhalt.
- Elbe Valley – urbanized area around Dresden, the location of world-known historical and natural sights.
- Großenhainer and Lommatzscher Pflege – the highland area of small towns and meadows north from the Elbe Valley.
- Saxon Switzerland – mountainous region on the border with Czech republic, the national park and a perfect place for hiking and climbing.
[edit] Cities
[edit] Other destinations
[edit] Understand
- Tourism association Saxon Elbland (Tourismusverband Sächsisches Elbland), Fabrikstraße 16, 01662 Meißen, ☎ +49 3521 7635-0 (info@elbland.de, fax: +49 3521 7635-40), [1]. Mo–Fr, 08.00–18.00. Information on sights, events, and accommodation; links to city information web sites. edit
[edit] Talk
[edit] Get in
The transport hub of the region is Dresden. If you travel from outside Saxony, it is advisable to come to Dresden first and to continue using local trains or buses. ICE trains from Frankfurt will also stop at Riesa (the region of Großenhainer and Lommatzscher Pflege), while IC/EC trains from Prague make a stop at Bad Schandau (the region of Saxon Switzerland).
[edit] Get around
[edit] By public transport
In most parts of Saxon Elbland (except for the region of Dübener Heide), public transport is operated by VVO (Verkehrsverbund Oberelbe – Upper Elbe transport system) [2]. Their web site (both in German and English) provides complete and up-to-date information on routes, timetables, and fares. The on-line route planner is also available (don't hesitate to use the "Advanced search" option; the basic search menu requires to specify the names of bus/train stops, which may be difficult to find out). Public transport of the region includes trains, buses, trams (in Dresden and surroundings), and Elbe ferries.
The VVO network is rather concentrated around Dresden. It is usually possible to reach any destination in Saxon Elbland from Dresden within 1.5–2 hours. The nearest destinations around Dresden are frequently served during the day and also 2–3 times during the night. In other parts of the region, night travels are impossible. Most of the bus routes provide very limited service during weekends and public holidays: two-hour intervals on basic routes and 2–3 buses per day or even no weekend service for local routes. It is also common to have the so-called Anruf service on evenings and weekends. This means that the bus will run on the route after a special request by phone only. Pay attention to remarks in the timetables (written in German only). Trains have more stable and convenient schedule, which is basically the same for weekdays and weekends.
The fare system is based on zones. Each zone includes 1–2 towns and neighboring villages. The zones overlap, which means that you do not pay for the respective zone if your trip just "touches" it. The overlaps are marked by small arcs on bus/train lines in the route maps. Ticket machines have complete list of possible destinations and calculate the price automatically, so you usually do not need to care about counting the zones.
The following tickets are available:
- Single-ride tickets: 1 zone (€1.80, valid for 1 hour), 2 zones (€3.50, 1.5 hours), 3 zones (€5.30, 2 hours), whole VVO region (€7.00, 4 hours). It is also possible to buy 4 single-ride ticket for €6.50 and to validate one or more single rides depending on the number of zones.
- Day ticket (valid till 4 am of the next day): 1 zone (€4.50), 2 zones (€7.50), whole VVO region (€11.00).
- Family ticket (valid till 4 am of the next day, covers up to 6 people with max. 2 adults): 1 zone (€6.50), 2 zones (€11.50), whole VVO region (€14.50).
- Small group ticket (valid till 4 am of the next day, covers up to 5 people): €22.50 for the whole VVO region.
- Night ticket (valid between 6 pm and 6 am of the next day): €6.00 for the whole VVO region. A useful option for late travel.
- Week ticket: 1 zone outside Dresden (€14), zone Dresden (€18), 2 zones (€25.50), 1 zone and all the surrounding zones (€38), whole VVO region (€50).
Notes:
- Reduced fares for children (6–14 years) and senior citizens are available.
- It is also possible to purchase combined day tickets (Tageskarte Elbe-Labe) valid for the VVO region and for the border region in Czech republic (Ústi nad Labem district): €14 for one person or €27.50 for the group of up to 5 people.
- All the thinkable combinations of the above-listed tickets can be used. For example, if you have a day ticket for one zone, you can travel to any neighboring zone with this day ticket + a single-ride ticket for one zone.
- Ferries are a rather complicated issue. Some of the ferries have their own fare system and do not accept VVO tickets. Others fall into the VVO system and have additional reduced fares for ferry-only tickets (e.g., €0.60 for a single ride on passenger ferries).
All the tickets have to be validated in stamping machines which are installed at the stations and on board of buses/trams/ferries. Unstamped tickets are not valid. Entering the train/bus/tram/ferry without a valid ticket is fined. On major lines, ticket inspectors ride nearly every train. Outside Dresden, bus drivers usually ask to present the ticket upon entering the bus.
Tickets can be purchased in ticket machines available at train stations (usually, the DB ticket machines) and at main train/bus stops. On minor railway lines, the ticket machine can be installed inside the train, but this never happens on major lines. Bus drivers and ferry operators also sell a variety of tickets. The ticket machines are easy to operate and have detailed instructions both in German and English. Route maps at train stations and bus stops usually include fare information supplied with the complete English translation.
Note that special public transport (narrow-gauge railways, funicular and cable railways in Dresden, certain Elbe ferries) is not included in the VVO fare system and requires additional tickets.
[edit] By car
The region has extensive road network. However, motorways are found near Dresden only. In other parts of Saxon Elbland, traffic is usually low.
[edit] By boat
While the Elbe river is a natural connection within the region, travelling by boat is rather uncommon. Regular tourist service using paddle-steamers is run between Seußlitz and Bad Schandau. The trips are slow, and the prices are high (see Elbe valley:By boat for details). Outside the Elbe valley and Saxon Switzerland regions, the river transport is restricted to occasional tourist trips.
[edit] By bike
Except for the mountainous region of Saxon Switzerland, biking is simple and convenient. Elberadweg (Elbe bike path) runs along the Elbe river (on one or both banks) through all the parts of Saxon Elbland. This bike path is well-marked, paved, and avoids same-level crossings with other roads. It is a kind of "bike highway" in Saxony.
[edit][add listing] See
[edit] Itineraries
[edit][add listing] Do
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[edit][add listing] Drink
[edit] Stay safe
[edit] Get out
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