Elbe bridge in Bad Schandau: Buses start again from November 22nd!

Elbe bridge in Bad Schandau: Buses start again from November 22nd!

An important step for local public transport in Bad Schandau was taken today, November 12, 2025. The Elbe Bridge is now open again for buses and trucks with a total weight of up to 30 tons. This welcome news brings long-awaited relief to many commuters and travelers in the region who have been forced to use alternative transportation options since the bridge closed in November 2024. As the Sächsische reports, the release took place today under traffic law.

The first buses from the Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains (RVSOE) regional transport service will drive over the bridge on November 22nd. Until then, there will be time to adjust the circulations, timetables and duty rosters accordingly. In particular, the popular line 241, which runs via Pirna, Königstein and the Lichtenhain waterfall to Hinterhermsdorf, will return to its regular route. Lines 254 and 260 will also run again over the Elbe bridge to the Bad Schandau national park station.

Reopening and adjustments

The return of the regular buses will be accompanied by an adjustment of the public transport offering by RVSOE GmbH. However, there will be special regulations for selected trips on lines 243, 244, 251, 252 and 253, as not all buses will use the bridge. The additional ferry that was set up during the disrupted traffic situation will no longer be available in the future. This measure has been very positively received by residents and travelers.

In April 2025, the bridge will also be opened to pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles weighing up to 7.5 tons. This opens up new opportunities for residents and visitors to the region, but regular bus services remain excluded for the time being due to the higher overall weight of the buses. However, company trips can use the bridge in exceptional cases when it is not busy.

The bridge and its meaning

The Elbe Bridge is of great importance not only for traffic, but also for tourism. The new cross ferry F5.1, which runs every half hour between the national park train station and the Elbe bridge, ensures that travelers continue to be well connected. The F5 and F3/4 ferries will return to the regular summer schedule from April 12, 2025, but free transport on the ferries will also be canceled from this date.

Another highlight will be the hiking ship from RVSOE GmbH, which will travel to Hřensko in the Czech Republic up to four times a day from April 18th to April 27th, 2025 and regularly from May 1st to November 2nd, 2025. This shows how important the integration of different modes of transport is for tourism in Bad Schandau. The P+R parking lot will be available free of charge from April 10, 2025, while paid parking spaces at the Elbkai will be available from April 11.

For current timetables and information, those interested can visit the RVSOE website or have a look at the official Bad Schandau website. The coming weeks promise to improve mobility in the region and offer residents and visitors more flexibility. Bad Schandau is well on its way to promoting its charm and accessibility.