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Dresden - Dresden Museum Card vs VIP DAY TICKET WITH HISTORIC GREEN VAULT

Posted by (Missouri City, TX, USA) on

I realize this should be simple, but I am officially befuddled.
The 'Dresden Card' actually has several different cards available.

The Dresden Museum Card is 22 Euros and does not include the Historic Green Vault

I can purchase a separate ticket for the Historic Green Vault for as little as 14 Euros

So adding those together is 36 Euros total.

I can also buy a VIP DAY TICKET WITH HISTORIC GREEN VAULT for 30 Euros . Described as: Valid for a single entry into all museums of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden inclusive Historisches Grünes Gewölbe on one day.

There are additional options and configurations - but to keep it simple, I've narrowed it down to those.

  • I believe neither includes transportation.

  • The Museum card can be used over two days (not relevant for me). The VIP card for one day only.

  • The Museum card is like most City cards and has some food discounts as well as lots of discounts and free admissions to a multitude of places we won't visit or use.

If I have all of the above correct - my main issue is trying to figure out if ALL the museums included in the VIP Card are also included in the Museum Card (Historic Green Vault not withstanding).
In other words - I am having difficulty ascertaining exactly which museums/sites/attractions make up the "all museums of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden".

Are these just competing cards that cover virtually all of the same sites?

This forum entry discusses a similar dilemma, but not with the Dresden Museum Card. I appreciate any insight anyone can provide!

Once I figure this out, then I have to crank the numbers to see if either card is worth it, or if I should just pay individual admission prices as I go...

Posted by
4162 posts

Indeed , this is as confusing as choices in a Chinese food buffet , or the choices in a first rate Viennese Konditorei . Here is the easy way out - The Dresden State Museums sells an annual pass that covers EVERYTHING in all the museums , price EU 40 . We were in Dresden for a week recently , and it included unlimited admission to all the museums in the complex including the Green Vaults . Like other museum complexes in Europe , an annual membership can be the most efficient way of dealing with this . One other example is The Friends of The Uffizi membership in Florence . Even if you are in Dresden for a few days , the accessibility to the museums is well worth it . Buy the ticket at The Schinklewache across from the Residenz or in the ResidenzSchloss itself . And don't forget some bratwurst ! https://www.skd.museum/en/ location here - https://www.google.com/maps/place/Caf%C3%A9+Schinkelwache/@51.0525745,13.7356288,17.75z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x4709cf689a1e7f01:0xff3a59477430833e!8m2!3d51.0532828!4d13.7358384

Posted by
18 posts

Thanks, Steve. That's certainly a good suggestion, but as we're really only going to have one evening and the one full day in Dresden, I'm hesitant to spend even more money, I was hoping the 30 Euro way would work. Especially since I'll need to buy three of whatever we get. (As my son is 20, it doesn't appear he qualifies for any discounts. My research is indicating that his University ID from a United States school is not sufficient for him to get a student price.)

I know that is a woefully short amount of time to spend in Dresden for our first time - but I am sure we will be back. That being said - we will definitely stop at your suggestion for bratwurst!

Posted by
4162 posts

Considering your short stay , then I think your original plan will work . Given the time you have , optimize your time in the museums by choosing carefully . While both green vaults are wonderful , I was most taken with The Neues Green Vault . ( no extra ticket required , nor timed entry ) The highlight there is the work of Johann Melchior Dinglinger , a master goldsmith and jeweler , and his work will blow your mind Here is one of the highlights - https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/the-throne-of-grand-mogul-aurengzeb/lwEqP-aOYGuMPg

Posted by
28133 posts

I loved both of the Green Vaults but would choose the Historic G.V. if I had time for only one. There are other interesting exhibits in that complex, and it might be smart for you to split for part of the time. Perhaps one person is interested in the two G.V.s whereas another is all about the armor. And I think there's porcelain, too.

Posted by
1 posts

Although I suspect that the original poster has probably figured this out, I hope that the information below might help someone else. The Dresden Museum card is for all Dresden Museums, that means the Albertinum, all parts of the Zwinger, all parts of the Residenzschloss except the Historic Green Vault and several other museums in Dresden. The VIP Day ticket is only good for all the museums in the Residenzschloss. Those museums are:
Historisches Grünes Gewölbe (Historical Green Vault)
Neues Grünes Gewölbe (New Green Vault)
Türckische Kammer (Turkish Chamber)
Rüstkammer im Riesensaal (Armory in the Great Hall)
Münzkabinett (Money Room)
Fürstengalerie (Prince’s Gallery)
Hausmannsturm (Hausmann’s Tower) (April-October)
as well as current special exhibitions in the Kupferstich-Kabinett (Print Collection)

The Zwinger includes the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister (Old Masters Gallery), the Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon (the royal collection of mathematical and physical instruments) and the Porzellansammlung (Porcelain Collection).

With only one full day in Dresden, it would be a tough choice. Personally, I'd get a ticket for the Historic Green Vault and for the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister but that is only as I have already been to most of the places in the Schloss and I really like old masters...

The Zwinger ticket is 12€ for adults. The Historic Green Vault ticket is 12€ for adults. The Residenzschloss without the Historic Green Vault is 12€.

The ticket center across the street on the edge of the Theaterplatz, by the cafe Schinkelwache can help you sort out the options.

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