How much does it cost?

From £2,199 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,970 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes, Eurostar from London St Pancras and rail travel in Germany are included in your chosen class; a lower-priced option exists for travellers who join at Gotha and leave at Dresden without that Eurostar and Germany rail portion.

Is it escorted or independent?

Escorted, with the services of an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager.

Which trains are used?

The tour rides the narrow-gauge Lössnitzgrundbahn and Weisseritztalbahn, a heritage steam excursion from Leipzig to Quedlinburg, the 'St. Nicholas' steam special to Grosskorbetha, Dresden's suspended monorail and a funicular, plus main-line trains between Gotha, Dresden, and Leipzig.

What hotels are included?

One night at the Hotel Am Tierpark in Gotha, two nights at the InterCity Hotel in Dresden, and three nights at the InterCity Hotel in Leipzig.

The only listed departure is in December 2026.

What meals are included?

Breakfast every day, plus two evening meals; other evening meals are not included.

Railtrail Tours · Steam & Heritage Rail Tour

Festive Steam in Saxony 2026

Seven-day festive steam railway tour through Saxony from London

Railtrail Tours runs this seven-day festive steam tour through Saxony, Germany, moving from Gotha to Dresden and on to Leipzig by train. A Railtrail Tour Manager leads the group on the narrow-gauge Lössnitzgrundbahn between Radebeul and Radeburg on day 2, and the Weisseritztalbahn through woodland and past lakes to Kipsdorf on day 3, alongside a visit to the Dresden Transport Museum. Day 4 mixes Dresden's suspended monorail and a funicular railway with a River Elbe cruise before the move to Leipzig. From there, a heritage steam train reaches the UNESCO-protected town of Quedlinburg for its Christmas courtyard event on day 5, and the 'St. Nicholas' steam special runs to Grosskorbetha and back on day 6, with time afterward at Leipzig's Christmas Market, one of Germany's oldest. Activity level is listed as Moderate. The trip suits travellers who want a concentrated dose of heritage steam alongside Germany's festive markets.

What to know before you look closer

The 'Join at Gotha, leave at Dresden' fare of £2,029 is actually lower than the advertised £2,199 from-price, which is based on the Standard Class Eurostar-inclusive fare; check which fare applies to your booking.
Only 2 of the 6 evening meals are included; breakfast is included daily but other evenings are left free to arrange independently in Dresden and Leipzig.
Only one departure is listed, for December 2026.
A £199 single traveler supplement applies on top of the £2,199 per-person price.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Hotel am Tierpark, Gotha
London to Gotha
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 2railovernight: InterCity Hotel, Dresden
Lössnitzgrundbahn & Dresden
This morning, 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 two-night stay where we enjoy our evening meal together.
Day 3railovernight: InterCity Hotel, Dresden
Weisseritztalbahn & Transport Museum
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 enjoy a visit to the Dresden Transport Museum for an exciting journey back in time with walk-in carriages and locomotives to explore allowing us to soak in the atmosphere of past times. Afterwards, we have time to explore the traditional Christmas Markets around the Church of our Lady before returning to the hotel this evening.
Day 4railovernight: InterCity Hotel, Leipzig
Dresden monorail, River Elbe cruise & Leipzig
Today, we will use our included transport day ticket to 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. This afternoon, we join a relaxing cruise along the River Elbe passing by some of the valleys most beautiful landmarks whilst enjoying a delicious slice of Christmas cake and a tea/coffee. Afterwards, we transfer by rail to Leipzig and check-in to the InterCity Hotel for our three-night stay.
Day 5railovernight: InterCity Hotel, Leipzig
Quedlinburg steam excursion
Today, we travel by heritage steam train from Leipzig to the UNESCO protected town of Quedlinburg, home to the 'Advent in den Hofen' Event (Christmas in the Courtyard). To view the historic buildings in this beautifully quaint town is a true 'chocolate box' Christmas scene and we enjoy time at leisure to explore and, perhaps, buy Christmas presents and souvenirs made locally in this most romantic of locations. This, and tomorrow's excursion, are scheduled to be hauled by Class 52 8154-8, an example of the powerful 2-10-0 German steam locomotive which will, undoubtedly, enhance the wonderful wintry Christmas scene.
Day 6overnight: InterCity Hotel, Leipzig
St. Nicholas steam journey & Leipzig Christmas Market
Today, we enjoy a return, steam-hauled 'St. Nicholas' journey from Leipzig to Grosskorbetha with Class 52 8154-8 once again scheduled to set the festive scene. On our return to Leipzig, we have the remainder of the day at leisure to explore this charming Saxon city and its beautiful Christmas Market, one of Germany's oldest with origins dating back to 1458.
Day 7rail
Homeward to London
We bid farewell to Leipzig and to Germany, returning by rail to Brussels, where we will join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2The group rides the 750mm narrow-gauge Lössnitzgrundbahn between Radebeul and Radeburg, a steam line that still runs with some street running.
Day 3A steam-hauled ride on the Weisseritztalbahn, the oldest narrow-gauge railway in public operation, runs through a narrow gorge, woodland, and past lakes to Kipsdorf.
Day 5A heritage steam train, Class 52 8154-8, carries the group from Leipzig to the UNESCO-protected town of Quedlinburg for its 'Advent in den Hofen' Christmas event.
Day 6The 'St. Nicholas' steam special makes a return run from Leipzig to Grosskorbetha behind Class 52 8154-8, before free time at Leipzig's Christmas Market, dating back to 1458.

Included

6 nights bed & breakfast plus 2 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

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,199 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,970 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes, Eurostar from London St Pancras and rail travel in Germany are included in your chosen class; a lower-priced option exists for travellers who join at Gotha and leave at Dresden without that Eurostar and Germany rail portion.
Is it escorted or independent?: Escorted, with the services of an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager.
Which trains are used?: The tour rides the narrow-gauge Lössnitzgrundbahn and Weisseritztalbahn, a heritage steam excursion from Leipzig to Quedlinburg, the 'St. Nicholas' steam special to Grosskorbetha, Dresden's suspended monorail and a funicular, plus main-line trains between Gotha, Dresden, and Leipzig.
What hotels are included?: One night at the Hotel Am Tierpark in Gotha, two nights at the InterCity Hotel in Dresden, and three nights at the InterCity Hotel in Leipzig.
When does it run?: The only listed departure is in December 2026.
What meals are included?: Breakfast every day, plus two evening meals; other evening meals are not included.