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Tailor Made Rail · Self-guided rail holiday

Dresden & Saxon Switzerland by Rail

Nine-day self-guided rail tour from London through Dresden to Saxon Switzerland

Illustration of Dresden & Saxon Switzerland by Rail

Tailor Made Rail operates this 9-day self-guided rail holiday linking London with Dresden and the mountainous Saxon Switzerland region. You depart London on Eurostar, cross to Brussels, and continue on the high-speed ICE through Hannover and Leipzig to arrive in Dresden for a 3-night stay. The package includes timed access to the Historic Green Vaults and a walk across the Augustus Bridge. On Day 4, a free day allows you to take an optional trip on the historic narrow-gauge Weisseritz Railway to Meissen or explore Dresden further. From Dresden, you travel by historic steam ship (May to October) or S-Bahn and ferry along the Elbe to Kurort Rathen, where you base yourself for three nights in Saxon Switzerland. Here you visit the Bastei, a dramatic rock formation with a 200-year-old wooden bridge, and can venture by historic ferry, boat, or train to Bad Schandau and Konigstein. The return journey takes you to the medieval town of Erfurt for one night before Eurostar brings you back to the UK. Standard Class rail with seat reservations, eight nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast, and all travel documentation are included.

What to know before you look closer

  • The Weisseritz Railway tickets on Day 4 are paid locally and not included in the package price
  • Day 5 transport varies by season: steam ship (May to October) or S-Bahn plus ferry (November to April); confirm which applies at booking
  • The package departs London on Day 1 and returns on Day 9; connecting rail from your local UK station is available only if it can be completed the same day

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne

    London to Cologne

    Eurostar to Brussels, connecting by high-speed InterCity Express into Cologne, with connecting rail travel from your local UK station available if it can be made the same day.

  2. Day 2overnight: Dresden

    Cologne to Dresden

    Leisurely start, then a direct service via Hannover and Leipzig to Dresden, arriving early evening for a 3-night stay in the rebuilt Old Town area.

  3. Day 3overnight: Dresden

    Dresden

    Explore the Zwinger Palace collections and the Old and New Green Vaults (timed ticket included), and walk over the Augustus Bridge for the 'Canaletto View'.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Dresden

    Dresden

    Free day: a suburban rail day trip to historic Meissen and its porcelain visitor centre, or the historic narrow-gauge Weisseritz Railway from Freital-Hainsberg (tickets payable locally).

  5. Day 5overnight: Kurort Rathen

    Dresden to Kurort Rathen

    In season, a historic steam ship along the Elbe towards the Czech border (included); in winter, the S-Bahn plus a short ferry crossing. Check in at the base of the Bastei Rocks for a multi-night stay.

  6. Day 6overnight: Kurort Rathen

    Saxon Switzerland

    Visit the Bastei, a dramatic rock formation overlooking the Elbe valley with its two-century-old wooden bridge.

  7. Day 7overnight: Kurort Rathen

    Saxon Switzerland

    Cross the river on the historic ferry and take a boat or S-Bahn to Bad Schandau or Konigstein for further sightseeing and walks.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Erfurt

    Kurort Rathen to Erfurt

    Historic rope ferry across the river, S-Bahn to Dresden, then a direct train to the medieval Thuringian town of Erfurt.

  9. Day 9rail

    Erfurt to London

    Train to Frankfurt with time for lunch, continuing to Brussels for the return Eurostar to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Explore the Zwinger Palace collections and the Old and New Green Vaults with timed tickets included, then walk over the Augustus Bridge for the Canaletto View
  • Day 4Free day option: take the suburban rail to historic Meissen and its porcelain visitor centre, or ride the historic narrow-gauge Weisseritz Railway from Freital-Hainsberg
  • Day 5Travel by historic steam ship along the Elbe towards the Czech border (in season) or S-Bahn plus ferry, arriving at Kurort Rathen at the base of the Bastei Rocks
  • Day 6Visit the Bastei, a dramatic rock formation with a two-century-old wooden bridge overlooking the Elbe valley

Included

  • Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
  • 8 nights' handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Timed tickets to the Historic Green Vaults in Dresden
  • Comprehensive directions to your hotels
  • Easy-to-follow travel documentation

Not included

  • Weisseritz Railway tickets (payable locally)

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes, Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations is included from London to Frankfurt. The Weisseritz Railway narrow-gauge excursion on Day 4 is payable locally. First Class upgrades for all rail journeys are available from GBP 200 per person.
Is this trip escorted or self-guided?
This is a self-guided rail holiday. Tailor Made Rail provides comprehensive directions to hotels and easy-to-follow travel documentation, but you travel independently.
What is included in the price?
The package includes Standard Class rail with seat reservations, 8 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast, timed tickets to the Historic Green Vaults in Dresden, comprehensive directions, and travel documentation. Day trips and optional activities cost extra.
How many nights do I spend in each location?
One night in Cologne, three nights in Dresden, three nights in Kurort Rathen, and one night in Erfurt.
What is the itinerary like in Saxon Switzerland?
Days 5-7 are based at Kurort Rathen. Day 5 includes travel by steam ship (in season) or S-Bahn and ferry along the Elbe. Day 6 visits the Bastei rock formation with its historic wooden bridge. Day 7 includes a historic ferry crossing and options to visit Bad Schandau or Konigstein by boat or S-Bahn.
How much free time is there?
Day 4 in Dresden is free to explore on your own or take optional day trips. Days 6 and 7 in Saxon Switzerland are largely unguided, with suggested activities like the Bastei visit and boat or train excursions.

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