Someplace I read that the only trains from Prague to Dresden leave from Praha-Holesovice. I have been searching and on the OBB site it appears that EC trains go from HlN to Dresden. Am I understanding this correctly? When I clicked to find the cost, it went to German and I didn't have a clue. My 4 questions are:
1. Can I get a train from HlN to Dresden?
2. Any idea of the cost?
3. Is it direct, non-stop, change of trains someplace?
4. Can I buy the tickets at HlN a couple of days before departure?
thanks
Peggy

In the past trains to Dresden departed from Holesovice, but they now go from Prague hl.n.

According to the German rail website the cost ranges from 19 Euro to 30.70 Euro, 2nd class. Check www.bahn.de.

Yes the train is direct, with no changes. It is not non-stop. The fastest trains have 5 or 6 stops along the way. Slower trains more.

Yes, you can buy tickets a couple of days before departure, or even right before you get on the train if you wish.

FYI, hl. n. is the abbreviation for hlavní nádraží, which simply means main railway station.

Equal to Hauptbahnhhof or Hbf. in German

I took a direct train from Prague to Dresden, and it did leave from Holosovice but that was several years ago. What difference does it make if it is nonstop? I think it made several stops, I don't recall as it doesn't matter, they are only a few minutes anyway when they stop. I know it stopped at Děčín

That was the best train for me, but I also don't think it matters what train station it leaves from. You can easily get to either one. I think the trains that leave from the main station usually stop at Holesovice, anyway. Maybe mine did and I just went there as it was easier, I don't recall.

The cost wasn't that much, but I don't recall exactly. I think it was around 30 euro regular price for second class.

I took the train last summer...it was from Holesovice.
DB mailed the ticket to me..early booking gets you a lower price ( not flexible) .

I travelled that route two weeks ago. Now that the (re)construction works at Hlavni Nadrazi in Prague are almost finished the trains to Dresden depart from there. And they do stop in Holesovice also. Enroute to Dresden they also stop in Usti nad Labem, Decin (in CR) and Bad Schandau(in Germany). You don't need to change trains, they just stop there.

The cost is 19 Euro with a special fare ticket bought from Deutsche Bahn - at least three days in advance and with the restriction that it is valid only for exactly this one train that you book. So you have to know date and time exactly. Or you buy the ticket at Prague Hlavni Nadrazi - should be about the same fare, if not slightly cheaper (I found an online fare of CZK 494 which is about the same, but w/o restrictions).

Nobody has mentioned the fantastc geology that you'll see in the border area between the Czech Republic and Germany. Try to get a window seat on the right hand side of the train. Even better, take a day off to explore the area. It is known as Czech Switzerland on the Czech side and Saxon Switzerland on the German side. Both sides are well worth a visit and will make a pleasant change from city tours.
http://www.jeremytaylor.eu/prague_photos.html