The Trabant was the car of the German Democratic Republic: small, noisy, built with a body of plastic-like Duroplast and famous for the years-long waiting lists East Germans endured to buy one. It was made in Zwickau, here in Saxony, and today it is a cult object, which is exactly why driving one through Dresden is such fun. This tour, run by East Car Tours, gives every participant their own classic Trabi in a safari theme and sends the convoy off behind a guide who talks to you over the radio as you drive. The route takes in the Old Town, quiet side streets that most visitors never see, several of the city’s parks, the grand villa quarter of Blasewitz and stretches along the Elbe. Along the way the guide mixes landmarks with stories of everyday life in the GDR, of queues, Ostalgie and the car itself. It is a cheerful, slightly absurd and genuinely memorable hour and a quarter, and it gives you a different angle on a city usually seen through its Baroque monuments. This page links to the Tiqets Dresden Trabi Tour.
How to visit: the meeting point is Meschwitzstrasse 13 in the north of the Neustadt, where you get a short briefing before taking the wheel. The tour lasts 75 minutes with a live guide in English or German, and fuel and liability insurance up to a set deductible are included. Each driver needs a valid driving licence, so bring yours, and passengers can share a car. Entrance fees, food, drinks and gratuities are not included. Free cancellation and rescheduling are possible until 24 hours before. Check the booking calendar for days and start times, which are not fixed.
What to expect: the Trabi has a column-mounted gear lever and a temperament of its own, and the briefing explains both. Driving is slow and in convoy, the guide keeps you together, and nobody expects you to be good at it. Cars are unheated by modern standards, so dress warmly in winter.
Making the most of it: combine the tour with an afternoon in the Neustadt, with its courtyards, cafés and the Kunsthofpassage. It also pairs well with a Saturday visit to the Old Town, since the tour gives you a feel for the wider city.
What to expect
The experience
A 75-minute guided self-drive convoy in classic Trabant cars, with radio commentary from a guide in English or German.
Best time
Daylight hours on a dry day; weekends book up first.
How long
About an hour and a quarter, plus a short briefing.
Tips
Bring your driving licence, dress warmly because the cars are basic, and share a Trabi to cut the cost.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Something different from palaces and museums, with a dose of East German nostalgia.
- Families
- Teenagers love it as passengers, and families can share a car with one parent driving.
- Couples
- Take turns at the wheel and enjoy the villas of Blasewitz and the Elbe views together.
- Pair with
- An afternoon in the Neustadt or a ride on the hop-on hop-off bus to the Blue Wonder.
- Time needed
- About ninety minutes including the briefing.
Good questions
Do I drive the Trabant myself?+
Yes, everyone on the tour gets their own Trabi and drives in a convoy behind the guide. Passengers can share a car with a driver.
Do I need a driving licence for the Trabi tour?+
Yes, each driver needs a valid driving licence. Bring it with you to the briefing.
How long is the Dresden Trabi Tour?+
The tour lasts 75 minutes. Allow a little extra time for the briefing before you set off.
Where does the Trabi tour start?+
The meeting point is Meschwitzstrasse 13 in the north of the Neustadt. It is easiest to reach by tram or taxi.
What is included in the Trabi tour?+
The car, fuel, a guide in English or German and liability insurance are included. Entrance fees, food, drinks and tips are not.
