Guest card
Saxon Switzerland
We distinguish between two forms: the "guest card mobil" and the "guest card"
With this, overnight guests of the listed locations can use public transportation in all fare zones of the Verkehrsverbund Oberelbe (VVO) in the Saxon Switzerland region—and thus in Pirna (70), Bad Gottleuba (71), Bad Schandau (72), and Neustadt (73)—as well as the Kirnitzschtalbahn and the cross-border Tisá line 217 without an additional ticket during their vacation.
Excluded are special means of transport like the hiking ship and transport services of other companies, such as the passenger shipping on the Elbe, the ferry in Kurort Rathen, and private bus services. Separate tickets are required for the transportation of dogs and bicycles, as well as for journeys beyond the fare zones of the region.
Additionally, numerous benefits for leisure experiences are included.
Tourist Route Map
The network map for the Saxon Switzerland offers a comprehensive overview of the entire tourist mobility offerings in the region.
Whether breathtaking rock formations, idyllic valleys, or exciting excursions – the network map displays all bus, ferry, and train connections for a quick and comfortable journey to the region's most beautiful destinations.
All bus lines, the S and regional trains, ferries (except Kurort Rathen), and the Kirnitzschtalbahn can be used with the guest card mobile. Connecting tickets are necessary for trips to Dresden or the Bohemian Switzerland, as well as for bringing dogs and bicycles.
The guest card mobile is not valid for the hiking ship, the passenger shipping on the Elbe, and private bus offers (National Park and Fortress Express). For trips with the White Fleet (e.g., steamships) and the Bad Schandau passenger elevator, you receive a discounted fare with the guest card.
With this, overnight guests in the listed locations can receive numerous benefits for leisure experiences.
In contrast to the mobility guest card, the guest card does not include free use of public transportation.
EXPERIENCES
Saxon Switzerland
The BROCHURE EXPERIENCES Saxon Switzerland is the perfect companion for a vacation in the region: compact, clear, and full of inspiration – ideal for planning excursions, tours, and enjoyable moments in a relaxed manner.
Particularly convenient for guest cardholders: In the brochure, all leisure experiences with a guest card are clearly marked. This allows you to quickly see which advantages are available, and everything can be found compactly at a glance.
Additionally, it offers great ideas for holiday planning, interesting information on using public transport, cycling and hiking suggestions, and gastro tips. Available upon arrival together with the guest card or at the Tourist Information.
Nature calls - the guest card mobile takes you there!
Discover highlights and hiking tours conveniently by bus, train, and ferry.
Our hiking suggestions offer a comprehensive experience: detailed route descriptions and real-time public transport departure times, exciting leisure activities, and dining tips along the route.
All without purchasing tickets and worrying about parking!
Escape the daily routine - step into the hiking bus
From March to October, a dense network of hiking buses transports passengers directly to the most beautiful hiking areas of Saxon Switzerland. On particularly attractive tourist routes – the hiking bus lines – there is an extensive range of trips available, making it noticeably easier to embark on a hiking adventure.
Whether to the starting point of the next tour, the nearby viewpoint, or simply out into nature: The hiking buses go exactly where nature begins.
With the guest card mobil, all hiking bus lines are integrated into the VVO fare zones of Saxon Switzerland (70-73).
BikeBUS: up in the heights, down with delight
From March 28 to November 1, 2026, the bicycle buses will conveniently take you to the highlands of Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland on weekends and holidays – the bike travels safely on the trailer. Wide views and well-developed paths await you above, and it's a relaxed descent down to the Elbe Valley.
Bicycle trailers are in use on as many as 5 bus lines for up to 16 bicycles/e-bikes.
With Guest Card Mobile, only one ticket for the bicycle is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
The use in the four VVO fare zones applies in the Saxon Switzerland: Pirna (70), Bad Gottleuba (71), Bad Schandau (72), and Neustadt (73).
Within these areas, city buses, S-Bahn, regional trains, and most ferries can be used—of course, as often as desired. The validity lasts from the day of arrival until the day of departure.
The guest card mobil is also valid as a ticket for travel with the Kirnitzschtalbahn and the cross-border Tisá-Line 217.
For travel beyond the valid fare zones (to Dresden or into the Bohemian Switzerland), corresponding connecting tickets must be purchased.
NOT integrated into the guest card mobility are:
- the passenger elevator Bad Schandau-Ostrau
- the hiking boat
- the ferry Kurort Rathen
- the passenger shipping on the Elbe
- as well as private bus services
For optimal on-site route planning, we recommend the VVO mobil app of the Upper Elbe Transport Association.
With VVO mobil, you have all the information on buses & trains & ferries in one app: current departure and arrival times in real time, disruption notifications, tickets, and live data on P + R compact and mobile. Don't know the nearest stop? No problem - the app locates and immediately shows departures. Save your preferred destinations as favorites on the notepad.
Simply download VVO mobil to your smartphone for free. The app is available for phones and tablets with iOS and Android.
Mobile website - www.vvo-mobil.de
For personal advice & information on route changes, the friendly staff of Regionalverkehr Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge (RVSOE) are available at +49 03501 7111999 and the Upper Elbe Transport Association (VVO).
The updated cross-border tourist timetable for the National Park Region Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland is available in printed form at the local tourist info or from your host at the beginning of each season.
The mobile guest card is valid ONLY for passenger transportation. If you wish to bring along animals and bicycles, corresponding additional tickets must be purchased.
Recommendation:
If you plan to use the bus and train multiple times throughout the day with a bicycle or dog, please purchase a bicycle day ticket (Network Area Ticket) for this purpose.
From April 1st to October 31st, there are bicycle BUSES with bicycle trailers operating on selected routes. These buses with bicycle trailers run partially daily and are also available on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
Bicycles can also be easily taken along on the Elbe ferries. During high demand, the ferries constantly shuttle from one shore to the other. If there is no space left for you and your bicycle, the wait will be short.
Please remember that dogs must wear a muzzle during transit unless they are assistance dogs for the disabled. Moreover, the four-legged friends must be kept on a short leash at all times.
For trips beyond the fare zones of Saxon Switzerland, such as to Bohemian Switzerland or Dresden, an additional ticket is required. Combine the guest card mobile with an appropriate additional ticket.
Example Dresden:
Purchase a ticket for fare zone 10 (Dresden) before the start of your journey at a machine or from bus staff. When traveling by S-Bahn or regional trains, validate the additional ticket directly on the platform before boarding.
Example Bohemian Switzerland:
On the cross-border lines, a ticket according to the special or DÚK fare can be purchased directly on the vehicles.
During ticket inspections, please present all tickets to avoid misunderstandings.
Tickets can be purchased at platform machines or quickly and cashlessly, for example, via the VVO mobil app or the DB Navigator app.
Currently, the guest card – both with and without integrated public transportation – is available exclusively in paper form. The card is issued only on official templates provided by the municipality and is clearly identifiable as such.
A guest card as a digital PDF is not valid. If such a version is presented on buses, trains, or ferries, it may result in an increased transportation fee.
At the same time, we are already working on further development in the background: The goal is to be able to offer a digital guest card in the near future.
In this case, the accommodation will issue a group registration form. The specific feature is that all guest cards are issued in the name of one guest. The guest card mobile can thus be used as a group ticket. For this, the guest to whom the guest card is issued in name must be present on the means of transport and be able to provide identification.
In some municipalities, you receive a parking card along with the guest card. With it, you can use ONLY the corresponding parking spaces at the place of accommodation free of charge.
It CANNOT be used for additional parking spaces.
Here you receive discounts
with the Guest Card Saxon Switzerland:
