# Sächsische Dampfschiffahrt Boat en Dresden Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/companies/saxon-paddle-steamers Dresden's paddle steamers: trips on the Elbe from the Terrassenufer, all year round, and routes to Pillnitz and Saxon Switzerland. ## Who they are The Sächsische Dampfschiffahrt, Saxony's "white fleet", sails the Elbe from Dresden with paddle steamers and motor boats. The Elbe steamship company was founded on 8 July 1836 and began regular service on 30 July 1837 with the steamer Königin Maria. Since 1910 its boats have moored at the Terrassenufer, right below the Brühl Terrace, and since 1928 they have been painted white, hence the name. It went through nationalisation in the GDR, the Conti shipping company after reunification and the floods of 2002 and 2013. In 2020, after years of low water and the pandemic, the company went into insolvency, and since 1 September of that year it has been run by Weiße Flotte Sachsen GmbH, of the Swiss group United Rivers AG, based in Basel. ## The boats It has nine historic paddle steamers, which it presents as the oldest and largest paddle-steamer fleet in the world. The oldest, the Stadt Wehlen, has sailed since 1879; the Kurort Rathen since 1896, and the Diesbar is the only one still running on coal. They are repaired at its own shipyard in Laubegast, opened in 1898. The fleet is completed by two modern saloon boats, the August der Starke and the Gräfin Cosel, with panoramic lounges and heating, which allow comfortable sailing in winter too. On all regular departures there is a menu of drinks and dishes on board. ## Routes and seasons They sail between the Saxon Wine Route, downriver, and Saxon Switzerland, upriver, with stops at Seußlitz, Diesbar, Meissen, Radebeul, Dresden, Blasewitz, Pillnitz, Pirna, Stadt Wehlen, Kurort Rathen, Königstein, Prossen and Bad Schandau. They run all year round, with different timetables in winter, at Advent and from May to October. As well as the regular lines they have themed cruises, such as the history one with live piano music, family trips in the morning, Christmas and New Year cruises, and they hire out boats for companies, private parties and conferences aboard the saloon boats. ## Tickets, boarding and languages Tickets are bought on their website (with PayPal or card), at the digital machines at the stops, at their offices at the Terrassenufer and Georg-Treu-Platz, or on board if you are not leaving from Dresden. They recommend buying beforehand, because some departures have limited places. There are no assigned seats: you only reserve a place inside, in exchange for consuming on board. Dated tickets are not cancelled or refunded; only vouchers and gift cards are. You board about 15 minutes beforehand on the regular lines and 30 for events. Dogs travel on a lead. Bicycles pay €4 and are not allowed on round-trip excursions; pushchairs and wheelchairs go free if there is room, if you give notice beforehand. Landing stages 1 to 5 at the Terrassenufer are accessible, but 17 to 20, above the Carola Bridge, are not yet. The companion of a person with a disability card marked "B" or "H" travels free on the regular lines. The website is in German and English and does not say in which languages the commentary on board is given. For parking there are paid spaces on the Terrassenufer, opposite Steinstraße, and car parks at the Frauenkirche, the Neumarkt and the Semperoper. ## What they run - [Paddle Steamer on the Elbe from the Terrassenufer](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/dresden/things-to-do/elbe-paddle-steamer), in Dresden. Line 72, a trip around the city. Desde 15.5 € per person, one zone. 1 h 30. Daily. Line 61, palace route to Pillnitz and Bad Schandau. 3 h 15. Price depends on the zones travelled - [Paddle steamer on the Elbe from Dresden to Meissen](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/meissen/things-to-do/paddle-steamer-dresden-to-meissen), in Meissen. L21 Sächsische Weinstraße: Dresden – Radebeul – Meissen. Desde 16 € per person. 2 h 15. Late March to October. Leaves Dresden at 9:45; one hour to Radebeul and another hour and a quarter to Meissen Independent companies: you book with them, on their terms. Prices are as they publish them and may change. ## Practical details - Address: Terrassenufer, Dresde - Meeting point: Terrassenufer landing stages 1 to 5, Terrassenufer, below the Brühl Terrace, Dresden - Details checked on 12 November 2026. ## Contact - Web: https://www.saechsische-dampfschifffahrt.de/en/ - Coordenadas: 51.0539, 13.7432 ## Preguntas frecuentes ### Do they sail in winter? Yes, all year round, with fewer departures than in summer. ### Where do I board? At landing stages 1 to 5 on the Terrassenufer, below the Brühl Terrace. The ticket office is at landing stage 2. ### Can I go to Pillnitz by boat? Yes, on line 61, which continues to Bad Schandau. ### Can I return a ticket? No, if it is for a specific day. Only vouchers and gift cards are cancelled.