Spring Steam in Saxony 2027

Duration

10 Days

Departure Dates

9th May 2027

Prices from

£2,615 Per person

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Experience the ultimate steam tour adventure in Germany with no less than nine steam lines to explore on this action-packed itinerary. Enjoy exclusive charters, mainline runs, narrow-gauge railways, and charming branch lines... all behind steam! Journey through beautiful landscapes, discover fascinating collections, and enjoy free time to explore the historic city of Dresden.

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Lossnitzgrundbahn ©AdobeStock

10 DAYS FROM £2,615

DEPARTS

Sunday 9 May 2027

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Steam on the traditional narrow-gauge Lössnitzgrundbahn
Enjoy two charming narrow-gauge routes at Zittau
Marvel at the unique spectacle of a parallel departure at Bertsdorf
Steam nostalgia on the oldest narrow-gauge railway to Kipsdorf
Discover the historic city of Dresden with an included transport pass
Climb into the mountains on a scenic steam journey to Oberwiesenthal
Enjoy an exclusive steam charter on the extensive Waldeisenbahn Muskau
Experience a thrilling mainline steam excursion from Leipzig
Explore fascinating locomotive collections
Journey behind Saxon Meyer steam locomotives on the Oschatz line
Rare ride on the Glossen Feldbahn
Steam on the scenic Schönheide Museumbahn
Enjoy a steam-hauled journey on the superb Pressnitztalbahn

Also included in your Tour Fare:

9 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 3 evening meals
Services of experienced Tour Manager

DAY 1

Travelling by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, then onwards to Gotha for our overnight stay at the Hotel am Tierpark where we check in and enjoy our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

After breakfast, we depart Gotha by train to Dresden where we travel the short distance to Radebeul for a steam run on the 750mm narrow-gauge Lössnitzgrundbahn, a delightful 17km line which still operates a public service between Radebeul and Radeburg including some street running! Afterwards, we make our way to our hotel, the InterCity Hotel in Dresden, for our eight-night stay where we check in and explore our new surroundings.

DAY 3

Today, we travel by rail to Zittau where we ride behind steam on the Zittau Railway to Bertsdorf, a narrow-gauge railway offering many scenic and historic attractions such as the unique spectacle of a simultaneous departure of two steam trains. From here, we ride both branch lines along charming landscapes to Jonsdorf and Oybin before returning to Dresden in time for our evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 4

After breakfast this morning, a short local train ride takes us to Freital-Hainsberg where we join the steam-hauled service over the Weisseritztalbahn for a nostalgic ride on the oldest narrow-gauge railway in public operation along a narrow gorge, through woodland, and past lakes to Kipsdorf. This afternoon, we have time at leisure to use our included transport pass and explore the beautiful city of Dresden including a ride on the unusual, suspended monorail, one of the oldest suspension railways and a marvellous example of engineering and construction, plus the superb single-track funicular railway.

DAY 5

Today, we travel to Cranzahl for an exhilarating return ride behind steam on the Fichtelbergbahn, a steeply graded route climbing into the mountains and crossing the mighty 110m long, 23m high Hüttenbach viaduct to the highest town in Germany, Oberwiesenthal, situated at 3,000ft. Here, we enjoy a guided tour of the locomotive shed before retracing our steps to Dresden for an evening at leisure.

DAY 6

This morning, we make our way to Weisswasser for an exclusive steam charter on the extensive, narrow-gauge Waldeisenbahn Muskau. This nostalgic journey runs through beautiful woodland and alongside a vast open-cast mine and includes run pasts and fantastic photo opportunities. Afterwards, we enjoy a light lunch at the station before visiting the Museumbahnhof where we can explore the history of the railway through exhibits and stories.

B, LR

Day 7

Today, we journey to Leipzig where we join a thrilling mainline steam excursion in historic coaches, departing from the city's iconic main station (full details to be confirmed).

DAY 8

After breakfast this morning, we travel by rail to Oschatz where we depart on the delightful Döllnitzbahn behind the lovely and historic Saxon Meyers. Our journey takes us through the town, past beautiful open fields to Glossen where the local Feldbahn Museum provides a short diesel hauled run and a chance to view their locomotive collection. Afterwards, we rejoin our steam train for the branch line to Kemmlitz before making the return journey to Oschatz and onwards to Dresden.

DAY 9

This morning, we travel by road to Schönheide for a return ride behind steam over their scenic, 3-mile, preserved line using classic Saxony Meyer locomotives. Afterwards, we continue to the superb Pressnitztalbahn, a scenic 750mm narrow-gauge railway line where two steam trains operate over this beautifully restored line following a river course through woodland to the village of Steinbach. This evening, we return to Dresden and gather for a farewell dinner at the hotel.

B, D

DAY 10

We bid farewell to Dresden and to Germany, returning by rail to Brussels, where we will join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

*Important Note: Whilst the arrangements for all described steam train travel are in place, we do reserve the right to make substitutions should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.

**Important Note: Timings for 2027 steam operations in Leipzig (Day 7) and on the Wilder Robert line in Oschatz (Day 8) have not been released at the time of tour compilation. The mainline steam run in Leipzig is scheduled in 2026 and we expect a similar pattern next year. We are monitoring updates from the railway operators closely and will share confirmed information when it becomes available.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

HOTELS

Hotel Am Tierpark, Gotha

Located in the heart of the historic city of Gotha, the charming Hotel am Tierpark combines traditional hospitality with modern comforts and offers a restaurant with a bar, a winter garden and terrace, sauna, and a small fitness area. The comfortable bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi.

InterCity Hotel, Dresden

Situated right by the main railway station, the InterCity Hotel offers a relaxed ambience including a cosy bar and a quality restaurant serving regional, national, and seasonal specialties. The stylish bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi.

FARES

From London St Pancras International:
Standard Class rail travel to/from Germany, including Eurostar Standard	£2,895
Upgrade to Eurostar Plus	£100
First Class rail travel to/from Germany, including Eurostar Plus	£3,095
Join at Gotha & Leave at Dresden	£2,615
Single Traveller Supplement	£525
Deposit	£290

9 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 3 evening meals

Eurostar and rail travel to and from Germany in the class of your choice

All transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed

Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

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Hotel am Tierpark, Gotha

InterCity Hotel, Dresden

Lu00f6ssnitzgrundbahn

Schonheide Museumbahn

Pressnitztalbahn

Lossnitzgrundbahn ©Shutterstock

Zittau Railway ©AdobeStock

Zittau Railway ©Zittau

Weisseritztalbahn ©Shutterstock

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