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PTG Tours · Escorted tour

Berlin, Dresden and The Harz Mountains

Escorted rail journey from London through Germany's steam railways and Harz Mountains

Illustration of Berlin, Dresden and The Harz Mountains

PTG Tours operates an 11-day escorted rail journey from London St Pancras through Belgium and Germany, ending in Quedlinburg. Tour Manager Kevin guides the group from the start. The itinerary balances major cities, heritage railways, and nature: two days in Berlin with optional museum visits and countryside branches, three nights in Dresden with narrow-gauge steam excursions and a paddle steamer return along the River Elbe through Saxon Switzerland, and three full days exploring the Harz Mountains on Europe's longest narrow-gauge steam network from Wernigerode. The group travels first-class on German ICE trains and returns via Wuppertal to ride the famous Schwebebahn hanging monorail. Relaxed pacing with one to three nights in each location suits photographers, steam enthusiasts, and those returning to rail travel after time away. Optional activities allow independent exploration in Berlin and Wernigerode.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is currently listed: September 2026 at GBP 1,950 for the full 11-day itinerary; confirm availability with PTG Tours before planning.
  • Light lunch on Day 1 in Brussels is not included in the price.
  • Days 8 and 9 offer suggested itineraries for the Harz network; the exact trains and stops depend on your choices rather than a fixed schedule.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne

    London - Brussels - Cologne

    Meet Tour Manager Kevin at St Pancras. Late morning Eurostar to Brussels, break for light lunch (not included), then on to Cologne. Welcome dinner in a local restaurant.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Berlin (2 nights)

    Cologne - Berlin

    Free morning. German high speed ICE train (first class) from Cologne to Berlin, arriving 17:47. Check in to hotel by the station.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Berlin

    Berlin

    Optional visit to Berlin Technical Museum's railway section in the old Anhalter roundhouse, or explore the city, Potsdam (steam tug "Gustav") or branch lines with a city transport pass.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Dresden (3 nights)

    Berlin - Dresden

    09:01 train to Dresden (arr 11:07), check into hotel. Afternoon suburban train to Radebeul for a narrow-gauge steam train to Radeburg and back.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Dresden

    Dresden - Freital-Hainsburg

    Train to Freital-Hainsburg for a steam-hauled ride on the Weiseritztal narrow gauge railway. Return to Dresden; optional 15-inch gauge park railway visit or free time.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Dresden

    Dresden - Bad Schandau

    Train to Bad Schandau, ferry over the river, walk to the Kirnitzschtalbahn vintage electric tramway (8km through a national park to Lichtenhainer Waterfall) with guided depot visit. Return to Dresden by paddle steamer on the River Elbe through Saxon Switzerland.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Wernigerode (3 nights)

    Dresden - Wernigerode

    Train to the half-timbered town of Wernigerode (arr c.13:20), check in to the railway-themed Hotel Altora near the station. Afternoon option: castle visit by road train, or steam trip up to the Brocken summit.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Wernigerode

    Harz narrow gauge railway

    3-day pass for the Harz narrow gauge railway; suggested itinerary or explore independently, e.g. steam train to the Brocken summit with stops at Schierke and Drei Annen Hohne.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Wernigerode

    Harz narrow gauge railway

    Continue exploring the Harz network, e.g. bus (pass included) to the UNESCO town of Quedlinburg and steam train back to Wernigerode, a 97km steam journey.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Wuppertal

    Wernigerode - Wuppertal

    Train via Goslar and Hannover to Wuppertal (arr 13:38). Wuppertal is home to the "Schwebebahn" hanging monorail; pass included to ride the full 13km line.

  11. Day 11rail

    Wuppertal - Cologne - Brussels - London

    Regional train from Wuppertal (08:20) to Cologne, ICE (first class) to Brussels (arr 11:35), Eurostar (dep 12:52) to London (arr 13:57). Edinburgh flyers connect via Cologne airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Afternoon narrow-gauge steam train from Radebeul to Radeburg and back through the suburbs of Dresden.
  • Day 6Kirnitzschtalbahn vintage electric tramway climbs 8km through Saxon Switzerland to Lichtenhainer Waterfall, followed by a return to Dresden by paddle steamer on the River Elbe.
  • Day 8Three-day pass on the Harz narrow-gauge railway; steam train to the Brocken summit with stops at Schierke and Drei Annen Hohne.
  • Day 997km steam journey from Quedlinburg back to Wernigerode on the Harz network.
  • Day 10Full 13km ride on Wuppertal's Schwebebahn, a suspended hanging monorail above the city streets.

Not included

  • Light lunch break in Brussels on Day 1

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
The package includes Eurostar (London to Brussels and return), ICE first-class (Cologne to Berlin and Cologne to Brussels), regional trains between cities, and multiple heritage railways: narrow-gauge steam trains at Radeburg and Freital-Hainsburg, the Kirnitzschtalbahn vintage electric tramway, the Harz narrow-gauge network, and the Schwebebahn hanging monorail.
Is the tour escorted or independent?
It is escorted. Tour Manager Kevin accompanies the group from London St Pancras through the entire journey. Some days offer optional activities, and you have free time to explore Berlin and Wernigerode independently.
What hotels are used?
Hotel Kommerz in Cologne (1 night), Intercity Hotel Berlin Hof (2 nights), Intercity Hotel Dresden (3 nights), Hotel Altora in Wernigerode (3 nights), and Spark Hotel by Hilton in Wuppertal (1 night). Hotel Altora has a railway theme.
How many days are spent on steam railways?
Three full days are dedicated to the Harz narrow-gauge steam railway network from Wernigerode. Additional steam and heritage rail excursions occur on Days 4, 5, and 6 around Dresden and Radeburg.
When does the tour depart?
One departure is currently listed: September 2026. There is an 8-day joining option from 17 September for those unable to travel from London from the start.
What is the walking level?
Day 6 includes an 8km walk through a national park to Lichtenhainer Waterfall. Other days involve city walking tours, stairs at stations, and luggage handling. Most days in Wernigerode and Berlin offer optional activities.

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