Cross-border transportation
Overview and tickets
Overview
There are several cross-border connections in the Euroregion Elbe/Labe. The Elbe-Labe-Ticket is a good choice when using the regional connections.
You can find an overview of all regional cross-border connections in the brochure of the regional transportation agency VVO (unfortunately only in German). You can download it here or get it at the service centers of VVO.
Tickets
The Euroregion Elbe/Labe is part of the area of the regional transportation agency Verkehrsverbund Oberelbe (VVO). This area is divided in several zones. Ticket prices depend on how much zones you travel through. Cross-border transport doesn't follow this zone model, but has seperate tariffs per line.
Elbe-Labe-Ticket
For day trips cross-border the Elbe-Labe-Ticket of VVO and the Ústí region is recommended. It's a day ticket for single users or groups and valid in all regional public transport in the Euroregion Elbe/Labe.
Sachsen-Böhmen-Ticket
When travelling only by train or outside of the area of Euroregion Elbe/Labe, the Sachsen-Böhmen-Ticket from Deutsche Bahn is a good choice. All regional trains in Saxony and northern Czechia can be used as well as long distance trains of the Czech side.
More information from Deutsche Bahn (in German only).
Connection information
Germany and the region: Deutsche Bahn
The Deutsche Bahn travel information not only provides information on train connections, but also takes into account all modes of transport and also offers connections to addresses. Cross-border connections are also reliably identified. The very convenient and feature-rich DB Navigator app is available for Android and iOS . In many cases, tickets can be purchased directly, usually also for regional transport.
Czech Republic and the region: IDOS
A very convenient offer for determining connections with all means of transport and also to postal addresses and important points can be found at the IDOS.CZ service (also in German). This service, which belongs to the MAFRA media group, also identifies good cross-border connections. The Jízdní řády IDOS app is available for Android and iOS . In many cases, tickets can be purchased directly.
Dresden and the surroundings: VVO
The timetable information of the regional transport provider Verkehrsverbund Oberelbe (VVO) is particularly suitable for connections in the area of this transport association, which includes Dresden and the surrounding districts. The presentation of the results is partly (especially the map display) better than at Deutsche Bahn. However, the latter is preferable for connections outside the network area. The VVO mobile app is available for Android and iOS .
to the VVO timetable information (EN)
Ústí District: DÚK
The transport company of the Ústí district (Doprava Ústeckého kraje) operates regional transport in the Czech part of the Elbe / Labe Euroregion. There is a portal for information, unfortunately only in Czech (English only with Google translation).
Trains
Eurocity Dresden - Děčín - Ústí nad Labem
Between Dresden and Ústí nad Labem there are long-distance trains on the Berlin-Prague line. On these trains the tickets of the regional transport are not valid, so the Elbe-Labe ticket is not valid either.
Nationalparkbahn U28
Since 2014 there's a regional train connection U28 from Děčín via Bad Schandau and Sebnitz to Rumburk. The trains run every 2 hours. A separate tariff applies for cross-border journeys. Tickets can be purchased on the train.
Wanderexpress Bohemica
From April to October/November the Wanderexpress Bohemica (RE 20) runs on weekends and holidays from Dresden to Litoměřice with various stops. The train goes there in the morning and returns in the afternoon.
Information on connections and prices
Travel service Deutschen BahnBusses
There are the following cross-border bus lines (links to timetables in German):
398: (Dresden - Dippoldiswalde -) Altenberg - Teplice
217 - Tisá-Linie: (Pirna -) Bahratal - Petrovice - Tisá - Sněžník - Rosenthal (- Königstein)
The Elbe-Labe-Ticket is valid on both lines.
By car
The Dresden-Prague motorway runs through the entire Euroregion. It is called A17 on the German side and D8 on the Czech side.
In the Czech Republic, tolls have to be paid for motorways. However, there are exceptions that apply to the Elbe/Labe Euroregion:
- When entering the Czech Republic, no toll has to be paid up to the Řehlovice exit (after Ústí nL). But that only applies in this direction.
- In the direction of Germany, the motorway between the Řehlovice and Varvažov exits is exempt from tolls. But beware: tolls apply between Varvažov and the border!
The motorway vignettes in the Czech Republic are no longer available as stickers for the windscreen, but only in electronic form. This means that the license plate number of the vehicle is registered. There are cameras on bridges over the motorways that recognize the number plates of vehicles passing through and check whether they have purchased an electronic vignette. If this is not the case, fine proceedings will be initiated later.
Electronic vignettes are best purchased online at edalnice.cz . The first other option for purchasing electronic vignettes in the Czech Republic is at the Varvažov service area (after the second exit in the Czech Republic). There we recommend using the machines and not going to the little houses with waiter service, because exorbitant surcharges are sometimes asked for there.
The vignette prices and more detailed information can be found here .
Tip: Electric vehicles do not have to pay tolls in the Czech Republic. However, you must first submit an application for exemption (see here ).