Dresden and Berlin: where to lodge?

We took a day trip to Dresden from Prague this past August. It was a 2-hr car ride each way. In my opinion, you can cover the major sites of Dresden in one long day; I certainly wouldn't recommend spending two there. (As an aside, I was greatly underwhelmed by "The Green Vault" but thoroughly enjoyed the exhibits at the Albertinum.) Rick's Germany Guide has all you need to navigate around Dresden's Old Town where all of the major sights are. Many films, including "The Grand Budapest Hotel", were filmed in Gorlitz. I have never been there but would like to see it someday - it looks really interesting. I would recommend staying in Berlin the whole time and day tripping to Dresden and Gorlitz for the reasons you mentioned (only one unpacking and ease of sightseeing). Finally, it is good that you are not travelling until March because you can purchase your train tickets now at a potentially huge savings. Deutsch Bahn offers "Saver fares" typically beginning 90 days ahead - but they are limited. I suggest that you firm up your itinerary asap and then purchase your train tickets now. The deal is you are committing to a specific train - if you miss it you eat the ticket. But, that is really not a negative if you know which train you would like to take. You can print out the tickets in the U.S. and take them with you or you can save them to your smart phone.

If you do spend two nights in Dresden, how many does that leave you sleeping in Berlin? About 5? Which city will be the first stop after Brussels? Berlin is faster at under 7 hours, versus 8-9 hours to Dresden by train. Whichever one it is, that travel day/night will not really be a sightseeing day.

Thanks so much for the replies!
@Robert, I also read a great Washington Post article on Görlitz. I am very interested in seeing it, even though it throws a wrench into my planning.
@Laura, yes, the travel time from Brussels to Dresden is the other issue. It is really long. It seems that I can do a night train from Cologne, which is on the way out of Brussels, but I am not too comfortable with that idea.

So my trip will be:
Brussels > Dresden > Berlin > Frankfurt, or
Brussels > Berlin (with side trips) > Frankfurt, or

Oh, and if I go to all four places, I end up with 3 nights in Belgium, 2 in Dresden, 4 in Berlin, 1 in Frankfurt. I think...

I'd suggest spending perhaps 5 days in Berlin (more to see) and 3 days in Dresden. It would be better to actually spend time in the cities, as travelling back and forth wastes time. As Laura mentioned, the rail trip from Brussels to Berlin will be faster, so that will minimize travel times.

I actually like the linear travel route (less backtracking) with night train option (hopefully sleep through most of it). I'd not want to spend less than 4 nights/3 days dedicated to Berlin, so glad to hear you have that many. On the other hand, you could fly Easy Jet or Ryan Air from Brussels to Berlin for about $60, 1.5 hours plus airport connections.

Thanks!
I considered a flight. But the truth is, I fly a LOT, and to me it's a necessary evil for getting somewhere, but not something I enjoy at all. And you have to factor in time to and from each airport, and security. I will do the train even if it is longer.
I'll think more about the night train option. You're right -- it makes the most sense.

Hi,

I would think of it this way: how determined/desperate are you in seeing Görlitz? If it's top priority, then stay the 2 nights in Dresden. Much easier to do a day trip going there from Dresden, shorter and more direct route. Doing it from Berlin requires you to transfer, either in Dresden or you can go through Cottbus.

Another place close to Dresden , ie called the "birth place/cradle of Saxony" (die Wiege Sachsens) is Meissen, which you get to easily from Dresden Hbf taking the S-Bahn. Meissen was hardly damaged in the war, very cultural, and as smaller town it has a different feel to it from its counterparts in the western Ger, say Marburg an der Lahn or Minden, Lüneburg. I heartily recommend Meissen if you decide not going to Görlitz.

Most people recommend ~5 days for Berlin, with one day trip to Potsdam. In March however the parks and gardens of Potsdam aren't that interesting, that's I would add a day or two to Saxony... a nice mix of big city and small towns.
Robert said that you "can cover the major sites of Dresden in one long day". I'm not so sure about that. It depends on your definition of "major sites". Armory, both Green Vaults, Turkish Chamber, Old Masters, Porcelain Collection, reconstructed old town with Zwinger, Frauenkirche and Semper opera, the area around the Blue Wonder bridge... all in one day?
Dresden is also a great base for day trips. Several cute towns like Görlitz, Bautzen, Meissen, Freiberg or Pirna, Saxon Switzerland with the Bastei and Königstein fortress, Pillnitz and Moritzburg castle etc..
BTW: if you plan just one day for Dresden and one for Görlitz you could also spend the night in Görlitz. I know logistically it's not ideal, but the town offers some amazing hotels in the middle of the medieval old town. My favorite is Frenzelhof, the medieval home of a rich textile merchant with a Late Gothic chapel

Thanks again for the continued input.

As I plan this trip, I'm coming around to the reality that there are a lot of amazing sights and cities that I will miss, because I just have to pick and choose what is feasible for the time I have. In retrospect, I could have chosen to fly into Germany directly rather than going to Belgium first, but there is no way of knowing until after it's all over if I made the right choices. :)

I may not see much of Dresden and will save that for a future trip. The good thing is that, at least for now, I have miles saved up, so this is hopefully not my only chance for a Europe vacation.

Thanks for the suggestions on the hotel in Görlick!

I know you are planning airBNB, but if you do end up looking for a hotel, I would suggest MotelOne. They are throughout Germany and are usually a good deal: http://www.motel-one.com/en/hotels-destinations/our-locations-newly-opened-hotels/

I have a listing for an AirBnb in Prenzlauer Berg if you are interested. Close to S-Bahn and mutiple ethnic restaurants (the cuisine Berlin does best!) PM me if you'd like it.