Dresden, Halle and Beyond from Leipzig

October 31, 2026

Day trips from Leipzig: Dresden, Halle and further

A central position on the German rail network puts several cities within a morning’s train ride. The list is ordered roughly from the longest journey to the shortest.

Berlin, about 1 hour 15 minutes

The ICE connects Leipzig and Berlin in around 75 minutes. A day in the capital is possible, though you will need an early departure and a firm plan for the evening return.

Dresden, about 1 hour 05 minutes

By ICE, Dresden is a little over an hour away. A regional train covers the same route in about 1 hour 40 minutes. Either option gives you a full day in the old town.

Erfurt and Weimar, 45 to 55 minutes

Both cities lie within an hour of Leipzig on the ICE. Pair them in one long day or pick one and take your time.

Lutherstadt Wittenberg and Naumburg

These towns are served by regional trains. Look up the connection on the DB Navigator app, because journey times change with the timetable.

Halle (Saale), 20 to 30 minutes

The S-Bahn line S3 runs to Halle in about 20 to 30 minutes. Regional trains and the ICE run it faster still. For the shortest outing from the centre, this is the one.

Colditz Castle by road

The castle has no railway station of its own. Go by bus or car, and look up the route before you leave.

Choosing a destination

For a full day of sightseeing, pick Dresden.
For a short outing with little travel time, pick Halle (Saale).
For two towns on one ticket and an early start, pick Erfurt with Weimar.
For the capital, pick Berlin, and keep the programme light.
Before any of them, confirm the last train back to Leipzig.

Practical tips

Departure point: Leipzig Hauptbahnhof is one of Europe’s largest terminal stations, and the ICE services leave from it.
Regional pass: The Leipzig Regio Card covers the whole MDV area. It costs EUR 26 for a day and EUR 56 for three days.
Monthly ticket: The Deutschlandticket costs EUR 63 per month in 2026.
Airport: The S5 and S5X reach Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) in about 15 minutes. The S3 does not stop there.
City tickets: The Zone 110 Leipzig Card covers the city only, so buy the regional version for day trips beyond it.

Prices are from the official 2026 flyer .

Group options

Organised trips can be compared on Leipzig day trip listings at GetYourGuide . Read what each listing includes before you book.