Verkehrsmuseum Dresden

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Verkehrsmuseum Dresden (Dresden Transport Museum) has a predecessor in the Saxon Railway Museum, whose collection dates back to 1877 and which, after stints on Wiener Straße, was housed in Dresden-Neustadt station from 1921. After the destruction of World War II, the transport museum was re-founded in 1952, making it one of the first cultural institutions of the GDR.

In 1954 the museum was assigned the Johanneum on the Neumarkt, a Renaissance building from 1586 that originally served the Saxon court as a stable. The first exhibition opened in 1956 for Dresden's 750th anniversary; by the early 1970s, departments on railways, shipping and aviation had followed, so that all four major modes of transport were represented.

Since 2006 the museum has been run as a nonprofit limited company (gGmbH), and since 2010 the state capital Dresden has been its sole shareholder; in 2024 the city was granted a 30-year leasehold on the Johanneum. Among the most important exhibits are the Muldenthal of 1861, considered the oldest fully preserved locomotive in Germany, a replica of the Saxonia, automobiles made in Saxony and a large model railway layout. In 2026 the dyna mix lab was added, an interactive experimental exhibition on the physics of mobility. The building is currently undergoing renovation, and access is via the rear entrance.

Highlights

• Steam locomotive Muldenthal (1861) – Germany's oldest fully preserved locomotive
• Replica of the Saxonia, the first working German locomotive
• Saloon car of Princess Mathilde of Saxony (1885)
• Model railway with 785 meters of track and five stations
• Röhr 8 luxury car with bodywork by the Dresden firm Gläser
• Hands-on exhibition dyna mix lab and Bobbycar traffic garden

Permanent exhibitions

• Schienenverkehr – Original vehicles such as the Muldenthal, the Saxonia replica and Princess Mathilde's saloon car tell the story of the railway in Saxony; a large model railway layout is also part of the exhibition.
• Straßenverkehr – Bicycles, motorcycles and automobiles from 200 years – focusing on Saxon and East German production, such as the Röhr 8 or a Wartburg prototype.

Founded

1952

Operated by

Verkehrsmuseum Dresden gGmbH (Gesellschafterin: Landeshauptstadt Dresden)

Director

Dr. Michael Vogt

Admission & discounts

Discounts with the Dresden-Pass, the Dresdner Ehrenamtspass (volunteer pass) and DVB transit subscriptions, among others. Special exhibitions included in admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Elevator and platform lift are operated by staff; accessible restrooms available. No accessible parking spaces at the building. Selected exhibits may be touched; site plans with photos at the ticket desk. Free video guide in German Sign Language and audio app in Easy Language. Due to renovation, access is currently via the rear entrance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

According to the museum, very well suited for families: children's tour with Flitzi the museum mouse, Bobbycar traffic garden for playful practice, aviation experiment room and hands-on exhibition, school-holiday programs. Children's birthday parties for ages 5 to 12 depending on the program (e.g., Bobbycar driver's license, detective game, puzzle rally); picnic area in the break room can be added.

Getting there & parking

Because of its downtown location, the museum recommends arriving by public transport. From the airport, take the S2 to Dresden Mitte, then tram 1 or 2 to Altmarkt.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Coat check
• Lockers

No café; self-service area with snack and drink vending machines, and food brought from home may be eaten in the break area.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 190 guests.

Five spaces: Lichthof atrium (228 m², up to 140 seated/190 standing), the rail transport, aviation and shipping exhibitions, and the "Raststätte"; catering through partner companies, Wi-Fi included.

Plan your visit