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00 · Viewpoint in the national park · Saxony · Saxon Switzerland National Park

Bastei Bridge

A rock pulpit at 305 metres (1,001 ft), 194 metres (636 ft) above the Elbe: free, always open, and that is exactly why it gets busy.

Getting there & shuttle busGetting there & parkingOpening times

View plan

Photo: Je-str ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

€0.00Entry

The Bastei is free

305 mHeight of the pulpit

194 metres (636 ft) above the Elbe

€1.50Shuttle bus

Return from the Rathewalde P+R

The Bastei: what it is and why getting there is the real question

No ticket, no opening hours, but the question of where to leave the car.

The Bastei is a rock massif near Rathen and one of the best-known natural monuments of Saxon Switzerland. The Bastei proper, a rock pulpit 305 metres (1,001 ft) high, rises vertically 194 metres (636 ft) above the Elbe. The Bastei area was placed under nature protection in 1938; today it is part of Saxon Switzerland National Park.

The regional tourism association puts it briefly: the highlight of Saxon Switzerland costs no entrance fee, and there are no opening hours either; the Bastei can be visited at any time, all year round. What remains is logistics, and that is what decides whether a day at the Bastei is relaxed.

Today's Bastei Bridge was built in 1850/51 in connection with the opening of the railway line in the Elbe valley; the park authority has maintained it since 1990. It is 76.5 metres (251 ft) long and links the Bastei with the Neurathen rock castle, a castle from the 13th century. The first modest inn opened here as early as 1812. In spring 2023 the Free State of Saxony opened a new viewing platform.

Two restrictions are part of honest planning at the moment: the Neurathen rock castle has been closed until further notice since 1 September 2023 because of safety defects. And after the storm of 31 July 2026, a partial ban on entering the forest between Rathen and Hohnstein applies, which is being lifted step by step.

Park authority: destinations and sights ↗

In numbers

Height of the rock pulpit
305 m
Above the Elbe
194 m
Length of the Bastei Bridge
76.5 m
Bridge built
1850/51
Nature protection since
1938
First inn
1812
New viewing platform
Spring 2023
Shuttle bus frequency
every 30 minutes

Saxon Switzerland National Park profile

01 · Plan

Getting there & shuttle bus

By train across the Elbe, or by car plus shuttle bus.

Photo: Kora27 ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

How to get there: train, ferry and parking

By train across the Elbe, or by car plus shuttle bus.

By S-Bahn and ferry

The park authority recommends the train: take the S-Bahn to Kurort Rathen, cross the Elbe on the cable ferry, then walk up to the Bastei. From Dresden, the S1 runs every 30 minutes.

Park authority: destinations and sights ↗

The ferry does not accept VVO tickets

Worth knowing for your budget: VVO tickets are not accepted on the Elbe ferry at Kurort Rathen, unlike on the other Elbe ferries in the region. It is not an RVSOE ferry, and you pay the fare on board.

RVSOE: Elbe ferries, fares and notes ↗

By car: P+R and shuttle bus

If you come by car, the park authority recommends the Bastei park-and-ride car park. A shuttle bus runs from there to the Bastei every 30 minutes. The car park lies at the start of the Bastei road near Rathewalde.

Park authority: destinations and sights ↗

On foot it is 3.5 kilometres

From the overflow car park it is about 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) on foot to the Bastei. The shuttle bus runs only from 1 April to 31 October; outside that period your options are the walk or the nearer, more expensive car park.

Saxon Switzerland tourism association: the Bastei ↗

By regular bus

The Bastei is also served by line 237 (Pirna – Bastei – Rathewalde – Hohnstein – Sebnitz) and, at weekends and on public holidays in the summer season, by line 239 from Stadt Wehlen and line 254 from Bad Schandau.

Saxon Switzerland tourism association: the Bastei ↗

Price list

checked 20 Sep 2026

Tickets & entrance fees: what does the Bastei cost?

The place itself costs nothing; you only pay for getting there.

Bastei shuttle bus between the Rathewalde P+R and the Bastei
TicketPrice
Single€1.00
Return€1.50
Family ticket, return, up to 5 people€4.00

RVSOE fares, retrieved on 20 Sep 2026. Tickets are sold by the driver. If you already hold a VVO ticket valid for the zone and time, you can use it too. RVSOE: Bastei shuttle bus, timetable and fares ↗

No entrance fee, no opening hours

Asked about the entrance fee, the tourism association answers that the highlight of Saxon Switzerland costs no admission. And there are no opening hours: the Bastei can be visited at any time, all year round.

Saxon Switzerland tourism association: the Bastei ↗

The shuttle bus

Single €1.00, return €1.50, family ticket for up to five people, return, €4.00. Tickets are sold by the driver, who can also sell the full range of VVO tickets on request.

RVSOE: Bastei shuttle bus, timetable and fares ↗

Parking costs extra

Both car parks charge a fee. There are day tickets for cars, coaches and motorhomes; motorhomes may stay for a maximum of 24 hours and pay according to the vehicle height detected by a light barrier. The car park closer to the Bastei is the more expensive one. The operator does not publish the exact rates online; they are shown at the machine.

Saxon Switzerland tourism association: the Bastei ↗

Rathen ferry

The Rathen ferry has its own fares set by the operator, not the VVO tariff. The fares of the other RVSOE Elbe ferries, €2.00 single and €3.00 return, therefore do not apply in Rathen.

RVSOE: Elbe ferries, fares and notes ↗

Opening hours & best time to visit

When the bus runs, when the ferry crosses, when it is quiet.

Shuttle bus: summer half-year only

In the summer season the shuttle buses run daily every 30 minutes, more often when needed, between the Rathewalde car park and the Bastei. Outside the season the Bastei shuttle does not run.

RVSOE: Bastei shuttle bus, timetable and fares ↗

The quietest hours

The tourism association advises going against the flow: even the busiest days at the Bastei begin and end quietly. If you watch the sunrise from the Pavillon or Ferdinand viewpoint, you often have the view to yourself; in summer that means getting up very early.

Saxon Switzerland tourism association: the Bastei ↗

02 · On site

Hikes & routes at the Bastei

What you will see, and what is currently not accessible.

Photo: Sorin Pilat ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

“No ticket, no opening hours: the hardest decision is when to come.”

The Bastei above the Elbe valley: protected since 1938, now part of the national park.

Hikes & routes at the Bastei

What you will see, and what is currently not accessible.

The viewpoints

Several viewpoints surround the bridge: the panorama viewpoint opened in February 2023, the Pavillon viewpoint above the Schwedenlöcher, the Wehlstein viewpoint just before the Bastei hotel, the Ferdinand viewpoint before the bridge, and the Tiedge viewpoint and Kanapee towards Rathen.

Saxon Switzerland tourism association: the Bastei ↗

The Bastei Bridge

Today's Bastei Bridge was built in 1850/51 in connection with the opening of the railway line in the Elbe valley and is 76.5 metres (251 ft) long. The park authority has maintained it since 1990. It leads to the Neurathen rock castle and is itself one of the viewpoints.

Park authority: destinations and sights ↗

Neurathen rock castle closed

The park authority reports that the Neurathen rock castle is closed until further notice because of safety defects. The notice has been active since 1 September 2023. The castle remains visible from outside, but the site cannot be entered.

Park authority: closure of the Neurathen rock castle ↗

The Malerweg passes here

The Malerweg (Painters' Way) follows in the footsteps of the Romantic painters and crosses the Bastei. If you want more than the view, combine your visit with the Schwedenlöcher gorge or the Amselgrund valley.

Park authority: destinations and sights ↗

Climbing all around

The rocks around the Bastei are climbing rocks. From the bridge you can watch climbers on the Basteischluchtturm and the Rudolf-Hofmann-Spitze; climbing follows the rules of the national park's climbing concept.

Park authority: destinations and sights ↗

Hike from Stadt Wehlen to the Bastei

Start and finish at Stadt Wehlen station. Cross the Elbe by ferry, climb to Wehlen castle and follow the red dot through the Wehlener Grund, Zscherregrund and Hoellengrund valleys to the Steinerner Tisch and the Bastei; return via the Malerweg and the Schwarzbergweg. In the park authority's Komoot collection: 10.3 kilometres (6.4 mi), 285 metres (935 ft) of ascent and descent, about 3 hours, moderate. Suitable for children, partly suitable for dogs; dogs must be kept on a lead for the whole tour.

Saxon Switzerland National Park: tour "From Wehlen to Germany's most famous bridge, the Bastei" in the park authority's Komoot collection (retrieved on 3 Oct 2026) ↗

Rathen loop via the Schwedenlöcher

Start and finish in Kurort Rathen. Up to the Bastei Bridge and the Pavillon viewpoint, then down through the Schwedenlöcher gorge with about 700 steps and two steep iron ladders into the Amselgrund valley, and back to Rathen past Lake Amselsee. In the park authority's Komoot collection: 6.1 kilometres (3.8 mi), 212 metres (696 ft) of ascent and descent, just under 2 hours, easy. The extra loop to the Neurathen rock castle is dropped while the castle is closed.

Saxon Switzerland National Park: tour "Medieval tour to the Neurathen rock castle and the Schwedenlöcher" in the park authority's Komoot collection (retrieved on 3 Oct 2026) ↗

Photos of the place

The courtyard of the Neurathen rock castle next to the Bastei Bridge in Saxon Switzerland National Park, with the large cistern
Photo: Je-str ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗
View from the Bastei Bridge in Saxon Switzerland National Park of climbers on the Basteischluchtturm and the Rudolf-Hofmann-Spitze
Photo: Julio Meiron ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Film by the tourism association

Saxon Switzerland National Park

The park authority does not run its own video channel. This landscape film comes from the regional tourism association: it shows the park, but it is not an official presentation.

Source: Saxon Switzerland tourism association · View channel ↗

Guided on site

Guided tours whose title names the Bastei or the Bastei Bridge. The Bastei itself costs nothing; these tours add the journey and a guide.

Offer photo: From Dresden: Bastei Bridge, Gorge Boat & Narnia Rocks Tour

Day trip from Dresden · offer via GetYourGuide

From Dresden: Bastei Bridge, Gorge Boat & Narnia Rocks Tour

Small-group tour from Dresden with hotel pick-up. The first stop is the Bastei Bridge in the national park; then you cross the border into the Czech Republic to the Kamenice Gorge and the Tisa Rocks.

4.9 out of 5 stars51 reviews on GetYourGuidefrom €109.01as of 4 Oct

  • 8–9 hours
  • max. 10 people
  • Guide in English
  • Provider: Saxon Tours

Start Dresden, hotel pick-up included

View offer ↗Ad · partner link · checked 27 Sep 2026

According to the list of inclusions, the guide, all admission fees, hotel pick-up, a Czech lunch with a drink, water, a snack and gear rental are included, gratuities are not. Only the Bastei lies in Saxon Switzerland National Park; the other stops are in the Czech Republic. The boat ride runs only from April to October; from November to March the gorge is left out. Not suitable for people with heart problems or wheelchair users. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Provider's product photo · GetYourGuide

Offer photo: From Berlin: Dresden, Saxon Switzerland & Bastei Bridge Day Trip

Day trip from Berlin · offer via GetYourGuide

From Berlin: Dresden, Saxon Switzerland & Bastei Bridge Day Trip

Full-day coach trip from Berlin. In the morning a guided walk through Dresden, in the afternoon a photo stop and free time at the Bastei Bridge. The provider explicitly names Saxon Switzerland National Park.

4.6 out of 5 stars143 reviews on GetYourGuidefrom €58as of 4 Oct

  • 12 hours
  • Guide in Spanish and English
  • 75 minutes at the Bastei
  • Provider: buendía

Start Berlin, Neptune Fountain (Fuente de Neptuno)

View offer ↗Ad · partner link · checked 20 Sep 2026

According to the itinerary, the stay at the Bastei is 75 minutes; most of the day is spent in Dresden and on the road. Provider's product photo · GetYourGuide

Offer photo: From Prague: Dresden & Bastei Bridge Day Trip

Day trip from Prague · offer via GetYourGuide

From Prague: Dresden & Bastei Bridge Day Trip

Day trip from Prague by minivan in a small group. First Dresden with free time, then the Bastei Bridge as a viewpoint above the Elbe.

4.9 out of 5 stars15 reviews on GetYourGuidefrom €129as of 4 Oct

  • about 8–9 hours
  • max. 8 people
  • Guide in English
  • Provider: Cultiva tours

Start Prague, pick-up in the city centre (Prague 1)

View offer ↗Ad · partner link · checked 20 Sep 2026

The guide, transport and pick-up are included. Food and personal expenses are not included; there is free time for lunch. The duration depends on traffic. Provider's product photo · GetYourGuide

Ad · we may earn a commission if you book through this partner link – at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the atlas. Offer details checked 27 Sep 2026. See official prices.

03 · Nearby

Onward from here

The Bastei lies in Saxon Switzerland National Park. The rules, trails and other places of the park are in the park profile.

Photo: Je-str ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Map

Bastei Bridge on the terrain map

Eight points, each verified against an OpenStreetMap object. All points are on the Saxon Switzerland National Park map, with details and photos.

Show on mapSaxon Switzerland National Park map · 3D terrain
Field book 01Rules & current status after the stormField book 02Frequently asked questionsField book 03Sources and last checked

Field book · Bastei Bridge

checked 20 Sep 2026

01Rules & current status after the storm

The situation after the storm and where to check the latest closures.

Storm of 31 July 2026

A severe local storm caused massive damage in the Hohnstein district of the national park. A strict ban on entering the affected forest areas applies; areas are reopened step by step as the district office amends its general order.

Park authority: forest closure after storm damage ↗

The Bastei itself is open

The park authority states the situation explicitly: the Bastei viewpoint, the Bastei Bridge, the Ferdinand viewpoint and the Bastei trail to and from Kurort Rathen are open. The branch from the Bastei trail to the open-air theatre box office remains closed.

Park authority: forest closure after storm damage ↗

Reopened

With the general order of 14 August 2026, the Schwedenlöcher, the upper part of the Amselgrund, the Gansweg to the Schwedenlöcher and the Polenz valley near the Waltersdorf mill are open again. The Bastei trail has been open since 7 August 2026. Still closed are Lake Amselsee and the Amselgrund from Rathen to the Schwedenlöcher junction.

Park authority: forest closure after storm damage ↗

Check before you go

The national park runs a trail service listing all active closures, with a map. If your hike goes beyond the Bastei, it is worth a look, as the situation changes with every amendment of the general order.

Park authority: trail service with all closures ↗

Free public transport with the guest card

If you stay overnight in the national park region and receive the mobile guest card, you travel free on all public transport in the region, including to the starting points around the Bastei.

Park authority: getting there and getting around ↗

02Bastei Bridge: frequently asked questions

Short answers, with sources.

Is there an entrance fee for the Bastei Bridge?

No. The regional tourism association states explicitly that the highlight of Saxon Switzerland costs no admission. There are no opening hours either: the Bastei can be visited at any time, all year round. You only pay for getting there and for parking.

Saxon Switzerland tourism association: the Bastei ↗

Can you drive to the Bastei Bridge?

As far as the car parks, yes; the access road comes via Lohmen. However, the park authority recommends the Bastei park-and-ride car park, from which a shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes. From the overflow car park it is about 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) on foot.

Park authority: destinations and sights ↗

How much is the Bastei shuttle bus?

A single costs €1.00, a return €1.50 and a family return ticket for up to five people €4.00. Tickets are sold by the driver. A VVO ticket valid for the zone and time is also accepted.

RVSOE: Bastei shuttle bus, timetable and fares ↗

Can you visit the Neurathen rock castle?

Not at the moment. Since 1 September 2023 the park authority has reported that the Neurathen rock castle is closed until further notice because of safety defects. It can still be seen from the Bastei Bridge.

Park authority: closure of the Neurathen rock castle ↗

Is the Bastei open again after the 2026 storm?

Yes. The park authority lists the Bastei viewpoint, the Bastei Bridge, the Ferdinand viewpoint and the Bastei trail to and from Kurort Rathen as open. The branch from the Bastei trail to the open-air theatre box office remains closed. The park's trail service shows the current situation.

Park authority: forest closure after storm damage ↗

How do you get to the Bastei Bridge without a car?

Take the S-Bahn to Kurort Rathen, cross the Elbe on the cable ferry and walk up. VVO tickets are not valid on this ferry, though; you pay the fare on board. Alternatively, bus lines 237, 239 and 254 serve the Bastei.

Park authority: destinations and sights ↗

How long is the walk from the car park to the Bastei?

From the overflow car park at the start of the Bastei road it is about 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) on foot. From 1 April to 31 October the shuttle bus runs there; outside that period your options are the walk or the nearer, more expensive car park.

Saxon Switzerland tourism association: the Bastei ↗

How much is parking at the Bastei Bridge?

Both car parks charge a fee, and the one closer to the Bastei is the more expensive. There are day tickets for cars, coaches and motorhomes. The operator does not publish the exact rates online; they are shown at the machine.

Saxon Switzerland tourism association: the Bastei ↗

03Sources and last checked

Operator, municipality and park authority, each fact cited individually.

Places on the map

  • Bastei Rock pulpit, 305 m (1,001 ft)

    The viewing pulpit itself, 194 metres (636 ft) above the Elbe. Point-in-polygon check against the OpenStreetMap boundary of the national park: inside.

    Location source ↗
  • Bastei Bridge Bridge, 76.5 m (251 ft)

    Built in 1850/51, maintained by the park authority since 1990. It leads to the Neurathen rock castle and is itself one of the viewpoints.

    Location source ↗
  • Neurathen rock castle Castle ruin, 13th century

    The largest medieval rock castle in the region. Closed until further notice since 1 September 2023 because of safety defects: visible from outside, not accessible.

    Location source ↗
  • Berghotel Bastei Hotel & restaurant

    Hotel and restaurants right at the Bastei. Even during the forest closure after the storm, it remained accessible via the road from Lohmen.

    Location source ↗
  • Bastei P+R car park, Rathewalde Car park with shuttle bus

    Overflow car park at the start of the Bastei road. In the summer season the Bastei shuttle bus runs from here every 30 minutes; on foot it is about 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi).

    Location source ↗
  • Kurort Rathen station S-Bahn station

    S-Bahn stop on the line from Dresden, on the left bank of the Elbe. From here the cable ferry crosses to Niederrathen, where the climb to the Bastei begins.

    Location source ↗
  • Kurort Rathen ferry Cable ferry

    The Bergland ferry crosses the Elbe without an engine, powered by the current alone. It runs Monday to Friday from 4:30 to 24:00, at weekends and on public holidays from 5:30.

    Location source ↗
  • Lake Amselsee Lake in the Amselgrund

    In the Amselgrund valley below the Bastei. The Amselgrund above the Schwedenlöcher junction is among the trails reopened after the storm; according to the park authority, the lake itself and the Amselgrund from Rathen to the Schwedenlöcher junction are still closed.

    Location source ↗
  1. Park authority: destinations and sights ↗
  2. Park authority: getting there and getting around ↗
  3. Park authority: closure of the Neurathen rock castle ↗
  4. Park authority: forest closure after storm damage ↗
  5. Park authority: trail service with all closures ↗
  6. RVSOE: Bastei shuttle bus, timetable and fares ↗
  7. Kurort Rathen: the Bergland cable ferry ↗
  8. RVSOE: Elbe ferries, fares and notes ↗
  9. Saxon Switzerland tourism association: the Bastei ↗
  10. Saxon Switzerland National Park: tour "From Wehlen to Germany's most famous bridge, the Bastei" in the park authority's Komoot collection (retrieved on 3 Oct 2026) ↗
  11. Saxon Switzerland National Park: tour "Medieval tour to the Neurathen rock castle and the Schwedenlöcher" in the park authority's Komoot collection (retrieved on 3 Oct 2026) ↗

How current is this information?

Researched 20 Sep 2026. Not a live status. Prices, timetables and opening hours change; please check with the operator before you travel.

Current information from the operator ↗

Image and map credits

Location sources: every point on the map links to the OpenStreetMap object its coordinate comes from. Markers do not imply that access is permitted.

End of the field book · Park authority ↗