Search

Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

Christmas Market – Dresden

Eight-day escorted Christmas market tour through Germany on multiple steam railways

Illustration of Christmas Market – Dresden

Ffestiniog Travel operates this eight-day escorted Christmas market tour departing London in November 2026. The journey begins with Eurostar and high-speed trains through Brussels and Cologne, arriving in Dresden for a five-night base. From there, daily excursions explore four active narrow gauge steam railways: the Lößnitzgrundbahn and Weißeritztalbahn, both surviving within Dresden's city limits from the 19th century; the Zittauer Schmalspurbahn to the Czech border near Oybin and Jonsdorf; and the Fichtelbergbahn climbing through forests to Oberwiesenthal. A free day on Day 6 allows independent exploration of Dresden's Christmas markets, with the German Rail Pass valid for further travel across the country. The tour concludes with an evening in Wuppertal riding the Schwebebahn, the historic 1905 suspended railway spanning the Wupper River. A Ffestiniog Travel tour leader accompanies throughout. The package suits repeat rail travellers and couples seeking heritage railways combined with festive market shopping.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure date listed: November 2026; confirm availability before booking.
  • The package includes one evening meal and bed-and-breakfast accommodation; most meals are your own expense.
  • Day 6 is free time in Dresden; the German Rail Pass is valid if you wish to travel further afield, but scheduled group activities end.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne

    Cologne

    We start our tour by taking a mid-morning Eurostar from London St. Pancras International to Brussels where we connect with a high speed train to Cologne. Our overnight hotel is located a short walk from the station building.

  2. Day 2overnight: Dresden

    Onwards to Dresden

    Board a mid-morning ICE, travelling via Frankfurt before turning eastwards to Dresden for a 5-night stay. Our hotel is located adjacent to the main station giving easy access to the national network. Enjoy a three course meal in the hotel restaurant.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Dresden

    Dresden Area Narrow Gauge

    There are two narrow gauge steam lines which are almost within the city limits so we are able to ride both the Lößnitzgrundbahn and Weißeritztalbahn. Built in the late 19th Century these steam railways survived the Cold War and are still in daily operation. The Weißeritztalbahn is considered to be the oldest public narrow gauge railway in Germany that is still active.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Dresden

    Zittau

    We travel a short distance by rail to the nearby Czech border and arrive in Zittau to ride another active line. Steam hauled, it operates two branches to Kurort Oybin and Jonsdorf and we plan to travel on both before returning to Dresden in the afternoon.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Dresden

    Cranzahl & Oberwiesenthal

    A full day excursion beginning with a journey on the main line railway towards Chemnitz. We travel as far as Flöha before taking the branch line to Cranzahl. Here we find a steam train waiting to take us on the trip to Oberwiesenthal, travelling through forest and upland scenery. The end of the line is in sight of the Czech border. Return this afternoon to Dresden by the same route.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Dresden

    Christmas Shopping in Dresden

    Today we enjoy a free day in Dresden to experience the city’s festive Christmas Markets that transform Dresden into a colourful, magical place. Savour some traditional Saxon festive treats in the heart of this Baroque city and purchase some traditional gifts for your loved ones. If you wish to travel further afield today your German Rail Pass is valid throughout the country.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Wuppertal

    Wuppertal

    Travelling via Berlin we spend our final evening in Wuppertal. Our hotel is close to the station, where we stay for 1 night. An afternoon arrival in Wuppertal allows the evening free to travel on the Schwebebahn or hanging railway which runs along the Wupper Valley in the Ruhr. Built over a century ago, this monorail straddles the river and is not only a popular tourist attraction but an integral part of the region’s transport infrastructure.

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward Bound

    A morning departure by high speed train via Cologne to Brussels for Eurostar service to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Midday ICE departure from Cologne via Frankfurt, arriving in Dresden for a five-night stay with dinner in the hotel restaurant.
  • Day 3Ride both the Lößnitzgrundbahn and Weißeritztalbahn, two steam railways that survived the Cold War and operate daily within the city limits.
  • Day 4Travel by steam train on the Zittauer Schmalspurbahn to the Czech border, with options to ride both the Oybin and Jonsdorf branches.
  • Day 5Full-day excursion on the Fichtelbergbahn steam train from Cranzahl to Oberwiesenthal, climbing through forest and upland scenery to the Czech border.
  • Day 7Evening ride on Wuppertal's Schwebebahn, the 1905 suspended railway that straddles the Wupper River.

Included

  • Standard Class rail travel throughout
  • German Rail Pass
  • Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • 1 evening meal
  • All excursions as specified
  • All local taxes/fees
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour

Questions travellers ask

Is all rail travel included?
Yes. Standard Class rail travel throughout is included, including Eurostar to Brussels, high-speed trains to Germany, and all heritage steam railway excursions. A German Rail Pass is provided for unlimited mainline travel within Germany. First Class upgrades are available on request.
What accommodation is provided?
CityClass an Dom in Cologne (1 night), IntercityHotel in Dresden (5 nights), and Spark by Hilton in Wuppertal (1 night), all on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes, a tour leader from Ffestiniog Travel accompanies the group from London throughout the entire eight days.
Which steam railways are included?
The Lößnitzgrundbahn, Weißeritztalbahn, Zittauer Schmalspurbahn (to Oybin and Jonsdorf), and Fichtelbergbahn (Cranzahl to Oberwiesenthal). Day 3 and Day 4 are dedicated to these heritage lines.
What meals are included?
Bed and breakfast each morning, and one three-course dinner on Day 2 in the Dresden hotel restaurant. Other meals are not included.
When does this tour run?
Ffestiniog Travel has listed one departure in November 2026, priced from £1,900 per person.

Similar journeys