Dresden Airport: Does It Exist And Where?

is there an airport in dresden

Dresden Airport (IATA: DRS, ICAO: EDDC) is an international airport in Dresden, Germany. It is located in Klotzsche, a district of Dresden 9 km (5.6 mi) north of the city centre. The airport first opened to commercial traffic in 1935 and became an important military base during World War II. Today, Dresden Airport offers flights to several European cities and holiday destinations.

Characteristics Values
Name Dresden Airport
Location Klotzsche, a district of Dresden, Germany
Distance from city centre 9 km (5.6 mi) north
Airlines Lufthansa, TAP Air Portugal, Eurowings, Lufthansa CityLine, United, Sundair, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Ryanair, Etihad Regional, CityJet, Germania, and more
Destinations A few European cities and several holiday destinations
Public transport connections Dresden Airport railway station (S2 line of the Dresden S-Bahn), DVB bus routes 77 and 80, tram line 7
Parking Available
Year opened to commercial traffic 1935
Historical uses Military purposes during World War II, education centre for the Soviet army
Passenger numbers 1,860,364 in 2008; 3,031,353 passengers in combination with Leipzig/Halle Airport in a recent year

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Airlines and flights from Dresden Airport

Dresden Airport (IATA: DRS, ICAO: EDDC), also known as Dresden Klotzsche Airport, is an international airport in Germany. It is located in Klotzsche, a district in Dresden, about 5.6 miles north of the city centre. The airport offers flights to a few European cities and several holiday destinations.

As of April 2025, there are 8 airlines flying from Dresden to 12 airports around the world. These include Air Cairo, Corendon Airlines, Eurowings, Lufthansa, Pegasus, SunExpress, Swiss, and Swissair. The top international destinations from Dresden are Antalya and Palma de Mallorca. Lufthansa is the largest airline at Dresden Airport, followed by Eurowings.

In 2025, direct flights to Ceske Budejovice in Czechia were announced, to be operated by Corendon. Additionally, Sundair, which bases aircraft in Dresden, offers the only non-stop flights from Dresden to Africa, flying seasonally to Hurghada. Other non-stop flights from Dresden include those to Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, and several holiday destinations like Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, and Tenerife.

Previously, Ryanair connected Dresden Airport with London, but they terminated all routes in October 2024, citing high operational costs. CityJet also terminated its route from London City Airport to Dresden in 2015 due to low demand. Despite these changes, Dresden Airport continues to serve as a hub for passengers travelling to and from the state capital of Saxony, Germany.

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Transport to and from Dresden Airport

Dresden Airport (IATA: DRS, ICAO: EDDC) is located in Klotzsche, a district of Dresden, Germany, about 9 km (5.6 mi) north of the city centre. The airport is easily accessible by various means of transportation.

By Train

The Dresden Airport railway station is conveniently located in the basement of the terminal building. The S2 line of the Dresden S-Bahn runs every half hour to Dresden-Neustadt and Dresden Hauptbahnhof stations in the centre of Dresden, with journey times of 13 and 23 minutes, respectively. On weekdays, the trains continue to the towns of Heidenau and Pirna. Tickets for the train are available at the information desk in the arrivals hall of the airport or from ticket machines at the train stations. Adult tickets are priced at €3.00, while children from 6 to 14 years old can travel for €2.00.

By Bus and Tram

The Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe (DVB) bus route 77 connects the airport to DVB tram route 7, offering an alternative route to central Dresden. Additionally, DVB bus route 80 links the airport to the districts of Klotzsche, Wilder Mann, Trachau, and Cotta, as well as the town of Boxdorf. DVB also has plans for a new tram line 17, which will branch off of tram line 7 and serve the airport.

By Car

Travelling to and from Dresden Airport by car is straightforward. The B97 route takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes to cover the 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) between the airport and the city centre. Car rental services are available at the airport, and parking can be booked online in advance to save costs.

By Taxi

For a more personalised travel experience, taxi services like SIXT ride offer premium vehicles with professional drivers for airport transfers. SIXT ride provides competitive fixed rates, flight tracking, and 24/7 availability for bookings and enquiries.

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History of Dresden Airport

Dresden Airport, formerly known as Flughafen Dresden-Klotzsche in German, is located in Klotzsche, a district in Dresden, Germany, about 9km north of the city centre. The airport has been through several phases of development and has served various purposes since its existence.

Early History:

Dresden Airport was opened to commercial traffic on 11 July 1935, after air traffic had been launched at smaller airfields in the region during the 1920s. The rearmament of Germany after 1933 was a crucial factor behind the construction of a new military and commercial airport in the region. The airport was initially bustling with civil aviation, but with the onset of World War II, it was exclusively used for military purposes. During the war, an airlift was established between Dresden Airport and Breslau (now Wrocław) to support German troops during the Siege of Breslau in the spring of 1945.

Post-World War II:

After World War II, the airport underwent a period of transformation. Between 1955 and 1961, the East German government attempted to develop its own aviation industry, with Dresden as its centre. This period significantly shaped the design and atmosphere of the airport. The airport resumed civil flights and became a hub for aircraft engineering in East Germany. In 1957, the airport was reopened for commercial traffic, and two years later, in 1959, international air traffic resumed, primarily to Eastern Bloc countries.

Recent History:

In more recent times, Dresden Airport has experienced fluctuations in its operations and passenger traffic. In 2008, the airport recorded its highest passenger count, with 1,860,364 passengers, and it rebranded itself as "Dresden International" in the same year. However, in 2015, several airlines terminated their routes to Dresden, citing low demand and strategic changes. Despite these setbacks, the airport continued to be a significant transport hub, serving several European cities and holiday destinations. In 2019, Sundair announced it would base aircraft in Dresden, serving former Germania leisure destinations.

Today, Dresden Airport continues to undergo modernisation and development to accommodate increasing passenger numbers and remains an important gateway to the state capital of Saxony, Germany.

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Destinations from Dresden Airport

Dresden Airport (IATA: DRS, ICAO: EDDC), also known as Dresden Klotzsche Airport, is a medium-sized airport in Germany. It is located in Klotzsche, a district of Dresden, 9 km (5.6 mi) north of the city centre. The airport offers flights to a handful of European cities and several holiday destinations.

Destinations

Dresden Airport has non-stop passenger flights scheduled to 12 destinations in 6 countries. There are 3 domestic flights from Dresden. The airport is served by 8 airlines, with the most frequent flights operated by Lufthansa and Eurowings. The route with the most departures is Munich, with an average of 24 flights from Dresden every week. Other popular routes include Frankfurt, Munich, and Antalya.

Antalya is the only destination in Turkey with direct flights from Dresden. Non-stop flights to Antalya are offered by Corendon, Pegasus, and SunExpress.

There are also direct flights to Düsseldorf and London.

The longest flight from Dresden is a 1,391-mile (2,239 km) non-stop route to Tenerife (Reina Sofía) operated by Sundair. This flight takes around 5 hours and 40 minutes.

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Facilities at Dresden Airport

Dresden Airport, located in Klotzsche, a district of Dresden, Germany, offers a range of facilities for passengers and visitors. The airport is well-connected to the city centre, with a direct journey taking around 20 minutes.

Transport Facilities

Dresden Airport has a convenient transport system, including the Dresden S-Bahn (S2 line), which runs every half-hour to Dresden-Neustadt and Dresden Hauptbahnhof stations in the centre of Dresden. On weekdays, the trains continue to the towns of Heidenau and Pirna. Additionally, bus routes operated by Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe (DVB) provide connections to the airport. DVB bus route 77 links to DVB tram route 7, offering an alternative route to central Dresden. DVB bus route 80 connects the airport to nearby districts and towns, including Klotzsche, Wilder Mann, Trachau, Cotta, and Boxdorf.

Parking Facilities

The airport offers a multi-storey car park with approximately 1,500 parking spaces. The car park is conveniently connected to the terminal building via a glass-covered pedestrian bridge. Passengers can book their parking spaces online in advance to ensure availability and even save on parking fees.

Travel Services

Dresden Airport provides a range of travel services, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and package tours. The online travel centre and terminal offer access to low-cost flights, accommodation options, and other travel-related services.

Shopping and Dining

The airport features a modern passenger terminal building with several shops, restaurants, and service agencies. Passengers and visitors can enjoy shopping and dining options, even on Sundays and public holidays.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, there is an international airport in Dresden, Germany.

Airlines that fly to Dresden Airport include Lufthansa, TAP Air Portugal, Eurowings, Lufthansa CityLine, United, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, and Sundair.

The Dresden Airport railway station is located in the basement of the terminal building. The S2 line of the Dresden S-Bahn runs into the centre of Dresden every half hour.

Dresden Airport has a modern passenger terminal with shops and a few restaurants.

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