The station building is oriented in a northwest–southeast direction and is divided along its longitudinal axis into three train sheds with eye-catching arched roofs.
The lobby is located to the east of the central and largest of the three buildings and it is centered between the outer halls; it has an approximately square plan.
A small forecourt facing on to federal highway (Bundesstraße) 170 is in front of the main entrance.
This road passes at roughly right angles under the railways running through the other two halls.

The tripartite platform hall covers an area that is 60 metres wide and 186 metres long.
The iron arch structure of the roof rises up to 32 metres high and has a width of 59 metres.
The spans of the train sheds are 31 or 32 metres and 19 metres wide.
The dimensions of the roof were necessary during the days of steam so that smoke could be blown away.

On the other side of federal highway 170 opposite the main entrance is the station's east wing.
Several bay platforms are arranged in an elevated position between the running lines from the north and south hall.
These are mainly used for stabling short sets.

Impressive entrances to the station building were built not only from the east, but also from the north and the south.
Additionally from these sides there are direct entrances to the central train shed under the elevated through tracks.
The entrance from Wiener Platz to the station hall was also perceived as the main entrance during construction, which led to contemporary criticism that "the organic development of the building had to suffer from the needs of two main entrances with one having greater architectural significance and the other responding more to the needs of users."

In the northwest is the royal pavilion (Königspavillon), which is built in the Baroque Revival style.
Originally it served to receive state guests of the Kingdom of Saxony.
After the end of the monarchy in 1918, it contained a ticket office before it was again reserved for functions and receiving dignitaries during the Third Reich.
From 1950, the royal pavilion contained the Kino im Hauptbahnhof (cinema in the station), which had more than 170 places.
On 31 December 2000, Deutsche Bahn dismissed the operator and the Pavilion has since been unused.
During a renovation to make it energy-efficient in 2010, the facade of the Pavilion was repaired and new windows and a new roof were installed.
In April 2014, the royal pavilion is to be opened as an additional entrance to the station, allowing direct access to platforms 17, 18 and 19 from the north-west side.
In the royal pavilion itself there will be room for cultural projects and art exhibitions.
Originally there was another entrance to the Pavilion on the north side.
Eliminating it led to criticism from architects and the press, as the royal pavilion would now not be integrated into a harmonious structure.

Among the elevated tracks of the north and south hall there was originally facilities for loading luggage and offices for the management and inspection of operations (north hall) and rooms for the staff (south hall).
Since the redevelopment there are shops for travel necessities below the eastern part of the north hall and a waiting hall with its own lost property office and sanitary facilities under a part of the south hall.
The development of further rooms below the north hall and south hall is still continuing (as of 2013).
The station building is oriented in a northwest–southeast direction and is divided along its longitudinal axis into three train sheds with eye-catching arched roofs. The lobby is located to the east of the central and largest of the three buildings and it is centered between the outer halls; it has an approximately square plan. A small forecourt facing on to federal highway (Bundesstraße) 170 is in front of the main entrance. This road passes at roughly right angles under the railways running through the other two halls.
The tripartite platform hall covers an area that is 60 metres wide and 186 metres long. The iron arch structure of the roof rises up to 32 metres high and has a width of 59 metres. The spans of the train sheds are 31 or 32 metres and 19 metres wide. The dimensions of the roof were necessary during the days of steam so that smoke could be blown away.
On the other side of federal highway 170 opposite the main entrance is the station's east wing. Several bay platforms are arranged in an elevated position between the running lines from the north and south hall. These are mainly used for stabling short sets.
Impressive entrances to the station building were built not only from the east, but also from the north and the south. Additionally from these sides there are direct entrances to the central train shed under the elevated through tracks. The entrance from Wiener Platz to the station hall was also perceived as the main entrance during construction, which led to contemporary criticism that "the organic development of the building had to suffer from the needs of two main entrances with one having greater architectural significance and the other responding more to the needs of users."
In the northwest is the royal pavilion (Königspavillon), which is built in the Baroque Revival style. Originally it served to receive state guests of the Kingdom of Saxony. After the end of the monarchy in 1918, it contained a ticket office before it was again reserved for functions and receiving dignitaries during the Third Reich. From 1950, the royal pavilion contained the Kino im Hauptbahnhof (cinema in the station), which had more than 170 places. On 31 December 2000, Deutsche Bahn dismissed the operator and the Pavilion has since been unused. During a renovation to make it energy-efficient in 2010, the facade of the Pavilion was repaired and new windows and a new roof were installed. In April 2014, the royal pavilion is to be opened as an additional entrance to the station, allowing direct access to platforms 17, 18 and 19 from the north-west side. In the royal pavilion itself there will be room for cultural projects and art exhibitions. Originally there was another entrance to the Pavilion on the north side. Eliminating it led to criticism from architects and the press, as the royal pavilion would now not be integrated into a harmonious structure.
Among the elevated tracks of the north and south hall there was originally facilities for loading luggage and offices for the management and inspection of operations (north hall) and rooms for the staff (south hall). Since the redevelopment there are shops for travel necessities below the eastern part of the north hall and a waiting hall with its own lost property office and sanitary facilities under a part of the south hall. The development of further rooms below the north hall and south hall is still continuing (as of 2013).
Dresden Hauptbahnhof