Visiting TUD
Whether you are still planning your stay at TU Dresden or have already arrived in Dresden, the Welcome Guide will help you through the most important steps. Here you will find practical information on getting here, public transportation, and finding your way around campus, as well as important tips for your stay. In addition, the guide invites you to discover Dresden with its historic Old Town, its diverse cultural offerings, and its charming surroundings—from Meissen and Moritzburg to Saxon Switzerland.
Getting Oriented
To help you find your way around Dresden quickly, here is some practical information on how to get here, public transportation, and directions to TU Dresden. You will also find shopping tips and important information about emergencies and on local medical care.
Information on Tickets
Dresden and the surrounding area have a well-developed public transit network. You can find all the important information about routes, delays, and fares on the Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe (DVB) website or in the DVB mobil app.
Using Public Transportation in Dresden
Tickets can be purchased at the yellow ticket machines at the stops or on the trams. On the trams, payment is by card only. Digital tickets are also available through the DVB mobil and DB Navigator apps.
Various types of tickets are available:
A single-ride ticket for the Dresden fare zone entitles you to travel within Dresden, including transfers, and is valid for one hour from the time of validation.
If you are planning multiple trips, you can buy a 4-ride ticket or a day pass. The day pass is valid from the time of validation until 4 a.m. the following morning.
For more information on fares and other ticket options, such as family and group day passes, visit the DVB website.
Additional Information
If you purchase your ticket from a ticket machine, you may need to validate it before boarding. To do this, insert the ticket into one of the small ticket validators, which are located at stops as well as on buses and trams. As soon as the ticket has been drawn in and validated, you will hear a beep. You can then begin your journey.
If you would like to get off at the next stop, please press the button well in advance. This signals to the driver that you would like to get off at the next stop.
TU Dresden has several campuses in Dresden, Tharandt, Pirna, and Zittau. For an overview, visit Welcome to Our Campus. You can find buildings and rooms using the TU Dresden Campus Navigator. Additional maps and resources to help you find your way are available on the Orientation on the Campus page.
TUD | Campus Südvorstadt is located south of downtown Dresden and is easily accessible by tram and bus.
From Dresden Central Station to the TUD | Campus Südvorstadt
By tram
Take tram line 8 toward Südvorstadt or line 3 toward Coschütz and get off at the Nürnberger Platz stop. Both lines run approximately every 10 minutes.
From there, you can reach most buildings on the TUD | Campus Südvorstadt in about 10 to 15 minutes on foot.
By bus
Alternatively, you can take bus line 66 toward Südhöhe or Mockritz or lines 360 or 424. Get off at the Technische Universität stop on Fritz-Foerster-Platz.
From there, all buildings on the TUD | Campus Südvorstadt are within a 10- to 15-minute walk.
From Dresden Airport (DRS) to Dresden Central Station
By Train
Plan your trip from Dresden Airport to Dresden Central Station using the DVB schedule information or the “DVB mobil” app. There you will find current connections and departure times. The DVB Ticket Finder provides information on suitable tickets.
We recommend taking the S2 S-Bahn line from Platform 1 at Dresden Airport to Dresden Central Station. The trip takes about 20 minutes. Trains run every 20 minutes. You can find an overview of fares here. Tickets can be purchased directly from the red ticket machine on the platform.
By Taxi
Taxis are also available in front of the airport building.
From Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) to Dresden Central Station
By Train
You can search for your preferred connection on the Deutsche Bahn website.
Tip: The Intercity train IC 2175 offers a direct connection. The trip takes about 90 minutes.
Tickets can be purchased online or at a ticket machine at the station. Please note that tickets are generally cheaper the earlier you book them. It is also recommended to reserve a seat.
You can buy groceries at supermarkets and discount stores, such as REWE, EDEKA, Konsum, Aldi, Lidl, or Netto. Drugstores like dm and Rossmann offer personal care products and household items, among other things. Hours of operation vary by location. It is best to check before you go shopping. Most stores are closed on Sundays and holidays.
You pay a deposit on many beverage bottles and cans when you buy them. You will get this deposit back when you return them to an authorized return location. Many supermarkets have deposit machines for this purpose.
Emergency Numbers
Police: 110
Fire Department: 112
Ambulance: 112
On-call medical service: 116 117
Poison Control: +49 361 730730
Medical Care
If you experience health issues in the evening or on the weekend, doctors on call are always available. The central information line at +49 351 19292 will connect you during these hours to a nearby on-call clinic or a doctor on duty in the Dresden area.
Pharmacies
In Germany, prescription medications and many over-the-counter medications are available only at pharmacies.
At night, on weekends, and on holidays, an emergency pharmacy service is available. You can find a list of open emergency pharmacies here.
Campus Services
Are you looking for a place to have lunch or grab a coffee? At Studentenwerk Dresden, you will find the dining halls and cafeterias, along with links to menus and location information.
The Saxon State and University Library Dresden (SLUB) is the research library of TU Dresden. Information about locations, hours of operation, and how to use the library can be found on the SLUB Dresden website.
Discover Dresden
If you would like to explore Dresden in your free time, a stroll through the historic Old Town is well worth it. From the TUD l Südvorstadt Campus, you can easily reach the starting point at Altmarkt by taking tram line 3 from the Nürnberger Platz stop to Prager Straße. From there, it is just a few minutes’ walk. Many of Dresden’s most famous sights are located close to one another—from the Frauenkirche and the Fürstenzug to the Residenzschloss, the Semperoper, and the Zwinger.
The Altmarkt is a good starting point for your walking tour. During the Christmas season, the famous Dresden Striezelmarkt takes place here, with a history dating back to 1434.
Directly across the street is the Kulturpalast, which serves, among other things, as a venue for the Dresden Philharmonic. Just a few minutes’ walk away is the Neumarkt with the Frauenkirche. The Baroque church was rebuilt after its destruction in World War II and once again dominates Dresden’s historic cityscape.
Near Neumarkt are the Fürstenzug and the Dresden Residenzschloss. The Fürstenzug is a 102-meter-long mural made of Meissen porcelain tiles and depicts a procession of Saxon rulers on horseback. Can you spot Augustus the Strong? Hint: He is wearing a striking jaguar-fur coat. The neighboring Residenzschloss was the seat of Saxon rulers for centuries. Today, it houses several important museums, including the famous Green Vault.
Just a few steps away are the Semperoper and the Dresden Zwinger. The Semperoper is one of Germany’s best-known opera houses and is home to the Sächsische Staatsoper Dresden. Next to it is the Baroque Zwinger, originally used for court festivities and as an orangery and now home to several museums.
If you are looking for a little peace and quiet after your tour, a visit to Großer Garten, Dresden’s largest historic park, is well worth it. From TUD | Campus Südvorstadt, take tram line 8 from Nürnberger Platz to Georg-Arnhold-Bad. Dresden Zoo and the Botanical Garden are also nearby.
Events
Would you like to attend an event during your stay? These calendars list current events at TU Dresden and around the city.
You can find lectures, exhibitions, concerts, and other university events in the central calendar.
You can find concerts, theater performances, exhibitions, and other cultural events in the Dresden Cultural Calendar.
The Dresden Science Calendar brings together scientific lectures and events from various institutions in Dresden.
Explore the Dresden Area
There is plenty to discover outside the city as well. Historic towns and castles, vineyards, and the impressive rocky landscape of Saxon Switzerland are just a short drive from Dresden and are ideal for a day trip. We hope you have a wonderful time in Dresden!
Meissen captivates visitors with its historic old town, narrow alleys, and squares, as well as its long tradition of porcelain and wine. Discover the city on a stroll, visit the famous porcelain factory, or explore the vineyards and the banks of the Elbe.
Saxon Switzerland National Park is one of the region’s most impressive natural landscapes. It is characterized by striking rock formations, gorges, forests, and sweeping views across the Elbe Valley. One of the best-known excursion destinations is the Bastei with its famous Bastei Bridge.
High above the Elbe Valley, Königstein Fortress rises on a massive rocky plateau. The sprawling complex, with more than 50 historic buildings, offers fascinating insights into its roughly 800-year history and impressive views of Saxon Switzerland.
Baroque Moritzburg Castle is picturesquely situated amid a landscape of ponds and parks. In the 18th century, Augustus the Strong had the former hunting lodge converted into a prestigious palace. Today, you can explore its historic state rooms, hunting trophies, and famous Feather Room, among other highlights.