How to travel from Berlin to Dessau by train

Final Destination: Dessau Hbf

Why Dessau should be a must visit destination for those interested in twentieth century architecture and design is showcased in this article.

Dessau is an easy day trip from Berlin by train, particularly if you take these direct Regio trains from central Berlin; no need to book tickets in advance in order to save money, so just head over to the station in Berlin whenever you want to make the trip.

However, for those not averse to some advance planning and also don't mind changing trains, there is alternative faster route from Berlin Hbf, which if you can book tickets online at least a couple of weeks ahead can be around €3 cheaper too.

Look up the Berlin to Dessau journey on the DB website and in most hours there will be a journey option which takes only around 1hr 20 mins, but involves taking an ICE train from Berlin Hbf to Lutherstadt-Wittenberg station and then connecting there for a local train on to Dessau.

Arriving in Dessau:

The Bauhaus Building is a 5 -10 min walk from Dessau's central station - but the quickest route is exit from the opposite side of the station to which the main exit/entrance hall is located.

Instead use the exit on RatenhaustraBe and then walk ahead on the street named SchwabenstraBe - at the end of this street over to the left will be BauhausstraBe.

When it opens on September 8th the new Bahaus Design Museum will be a 5 min walk on from The Bauhause Buidling - turn right on Gropiusalle.

Departing from Berlin:

A plus of taking these hourly Regio trains is that they depart from multiple stations in Berlin - so you don't need to head to the city's main station from Berlin Hbf to board these trains.

They also depart from Alexanderplatz and FriedrichstraBe and Zoologischer-Garten stations.

If you are new to travelling by train in Germany, we recommend taking a look at our German Train Travel Guide.
It is packed with info and useful links to help ensure you’ll have a stress-free trip.

Dessau to Weimar:

Worth knowing if you want to also explore the Bauhaus landmarks in Weimar, is that there are no direct trains from Dessau to Weimar.

Of the multiple indirect journey options available, our preference (subject to the usual timetable being operated) would be take the hourly Regio train from Dessau to Leipzig Hbf - and then connect there for a train on Weimar.

This journey will take around 2hr 20mins, but because you will only be taking Regio trains, there is no need to book tickets online in advance to save money - so you may as well book at the station.

Book early and save: No; not if you make a direct journey on these Regio trains.

Tickets will cost the same price if purchased at the station immediately before departure.