The offers compared
| Offer | When | Price seen | Good to know | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct train Berlin to Dresden, on your own | About 1h35 to 2h, several departures a day | From €19.99 on the early-booking Super Sparpreis fare | The freest way to spend the evening at the market; check the last train back | |
| Berlin: Dresden, Saxon Switzerland and Bastei Bridge day trip (GetYourGuide) | About 12 hours, with the Bastei and a visit of Dresden | About $65 to $97 depending on the page (October 2026, to be checked) | Not a markets tour: the market is done in free time | See |
| Private guided Dresden day trip by train from Berlin (GetYourGuide) | About 10 hours, private guide | About $474 to $495 per person (seen in search) | Frauenkirche, Zwinger, Semperoper; very few reviews, all positive | See |
| Striezelmarkt, Altmarkt | 25 November to 24 December 2026; 10 am to 9 pm from 26 November to 23 December, 10 am to 2 pm on the 24th | Entrance fee not read | Official opening on 25 November late afternoon (4 pm or 4:30 pm depending on the source) |
Our pick
Our pick is the train, which leaves your evening to the market. If you want everything handled, the guided coach excursion from Berlin to Dresden lasts about 12 hours, with the Bastei and a visit of the city: the market is done in free time. For a private guide, the private day trip by train to Dresden costs about $474 to $495 per person.
How to choose
- The freest: the direct train, with the last return checked.
- Nothing to organise: the 12-hour coach excursion, which leaves little time for the market.
- A guide just for you: the private day by train, expensive.
Practical tips
- Getting back to Berlin. Check the last direct evening train before staying at the market: the return takes 1h35 to 2h.
- The cold. Dresden is freezing in December: gloves, hat and warm shoes.
- The crowd. December weekends are packed: choose a weekday, from the 10 am opening.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the trip from Berlin to Dresden? About 1h35 on the fastest direct trains, and about 2h for most.
When is the Striezelmarkt in 2026? From 25 November to 24 December 2026 on the Altmarkt; 10 am to 9 pm from 26 November to 23 December, 10 am to 2 pm on the 24th.
Does a coach excursion include the market? Not as a visit: the market is done during free time; read the listing's programme.
Going further
The city and the train in detail: Dresden from Berlin in a day. Berlin's markets: Berlin Christmas markets.
