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By bus and train through Saxony

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In Saxony you will find a well-developed network of local public transportation (ÖPNV) with railroads (trains), regional and city buses as well as streetcars.

Straßenbahn auf der Augustusbrücke in Dresden (iStock.com/GKV)

Mobility apps are very helpful for finding your way around Saxony's transport network. Here you can get information about the timetable and buy tickets directly. You can use the following apps in Saxony:

  • DB Navigator from Deutsche Bahn - for the whole of Saxony and Germany
  • MOOVME - for the whole of Saxony and Central Germany
  • HandyTicket Deutschland - for Saxony except the Leipzig region and the Central German Transport Association (MDV)
  • MRB app - for Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen (VMS), Verkehrsverbund Vogtland (VVV), Deutschlandtarif and MRB savings offers
  • Further apps are offered regionally by the transport associations (see below). VVO mobil or VVV mobil in conjunction with HandyTicket Deutschland

Ask the transport association in your area which apps you can use.

At a glance

There are 5 regional transport associations in Saxony:

Within a transport association, there is a uniform tariff for all means of transport in the entire area of the association.

You can find an overview of the transport associations in Saxony in the local transport network map in Saxony. (as of 07.01.2025)

Each means of transport is bound to a fixed timetable and stops at fixed stops. The timetables for the buses or trains that stop there can also be found there.

Timetable information is available online on the websites of the respective transport association, on the regional service of Deutsche Bahn DB Regio in Saxony or in the mobility apps.

As a rule, buses and streetcars run much more frequently during the day than in the evening and at night.

In Germany, a bus or train ticket is officially called a "Fahrausweis" or "Fahrkarte". However, the international term "ticket" is now also widely used.

As a rule , one-way tickets, day tickets, weekly tickets and monthly tickets are offered.

There are special tickets for short journeys, collective tickets for several journeys or several people. In some regions, you can also save money with 9 o'clock tickets or 10 o'clock tickets if you don't want to travel in the morning.

If you travel a lot by bus and train, a cheaper subscription for a monthly ticket is worthwhile.

There are often special offers for young people.

You have the following options for buying tickets:

  • Buy tickets directly on the bus, train or streetcar: from the driver or from a ticket machine
  • you will also find ticket machines at some stops or train stations
  • At the sales service points, you can not only buy tickets but also get advice
  • Tickets can be purchased quickly and easily via various apps

Sachsen-Ticket: Up to 5 people can use the Sachsen-Ticket together if they want to travel in Saxony and also in Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia on the same day.

BildungsTicket: With the BildungsTicket, all schoolchildren in Saxony can travel safely on their public transport network in Saxony for just 15 euros per month.

Deutschlandticket: The Deutschlandticket is valid for local transport throughout Germany. For currently 58 euros per month, all means of public transport and 2nd class regional trains can be used. The ticket is available as a monthly subscription from transport companies and associations.

Job ticket: Some employers support their employees by contributing financially to monthly or annual tickets. As an employee, you can then buy these tickets at a reduced price. For example, you can often use the Deutschlandticket or the monthly tickets of the transport associations as a job ticket.

Important

Some tickets must be validated when you board the bus or streetcar, others are valid when you buy them. Check whether your ticket still needs to be validated. Traveling without a valid ticket usually costs 60 euros.