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Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

Germany, Austria & the Czech Steam Festival

14-day escorted rail journey through Germany, Austria and Czech Republic with steam festivals

Illustration of Germany, Austria & the Czech Steam Festival

Ffestiniog Travel's 14-day escorted tour combines scenic rail journeys and heritage railways across Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. Beginning with Eurostar travel from London St Pancras, the journey passes through Cologne, Nuremberg, Vienna, Prague and Dresden, ending with the return to London. The itinerary weaves together specialist railways including the Oberweissbacher Bergbahn funicular into the remote Cursdorf, the UNESCO World Heritage Semmering Pass with its 41 kilometers of dramatic viaducts and tunnels, and a full day at the Czech Steam Locomotive Festival with unlimited access to vintage locomotives and special departures. City stays allow free exploration of each destination, supported by a 48-hour Vienna travel card and guided experiences such as a chartered vintage tram ride in Prague. A tour leader from London travels throughout, handling logistics and accompany the group on excursions. This tour suits repeat rail travellers seeking heritage railways and railway museums combined with classical European city stays.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is currently listed for this tour, in September 2026.
  • Rail travel is included in Standard Class; no upgrade options are mentioned in the pack.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne

    London to Cologne

    A mid-morning departure by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels then onwards to Cologne where we have an overnight stay. A welcome dinner is included this evening.

  2. Day 2overnight: Nuremberg

    Cologne to Nuremberg

    Morning departure from Cologne, arriving Nuremberg early afternoon for a 3-night stay. The rest of the day is at leisure.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Nuremberg

    Railway Museum

    Excursion to one of Germany’s best railway museums displaying virtually all classes of engine in use at the end of the German steam era. The museum is in the old roundhouse loco shed and still retains the feel of a working depot.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Nuremberg

    Oberweissbacher Bergbahn

    Today we take an excursion to the Oberweissbacher Bergbahn and Schwarzatalbahn, a funicular railway leading on to an isolated line and the remote village of Cursdorf.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Vienna

    Nuremberg to Vienna

    Morning train to Vienna, arriving around lunch time. The rest of the day is free to explore this exciting city’s history, culture or simply enjoy its amazing transport network, there is something for everyone. We stay here for 3 nights.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Vienna

    Day Trip to Salzburg

    By train to Salzburg where we have a day to explore. The birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg is dominated by churches, castles and palaces. We head back to Vienna late afternoon for an evening at leisure.

  7. Day 7overnight: Vienna

    The Semmering Line

    Today we travel from Vienna to Graz across the stunning Semmering Pass, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Including 41km of tunnels and viaducts, it is a most impressive feat of engineering with spectacular views enroute. There will be time for lunch in Austria’s second city Graz before returning to Vienna for the evening.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Prague

    Continue to Prague

    A morning train sees us arrive in Prague around lunch time for a 3-night stay. We have the rest of the day to enjoy this stunning city. Why not visit sights such as the Old Town, Jewish Quarter or Prague Castle.

  9. Day 9overnight: Prague

    Steam Locomotive Festival

    Today we will travel to Benesov to spend a full day at the Steam Locomotive Festival. There will be several vintage steam and diesel locomotives and railcars running special departures and your ticket will enable unlimited access to all. You will also have access to the Vehicle Exhibition displaying an array of locomotives, vintage cars and model railways.

  10. Day 10overnight: Prague

    Prague Transport Museum

    Enjoy a guided tour of the Public Transport Museum, which houses a unique collection of trams and trolleybuses and take a ride on a privately chartered vintage tram.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Dresden

    Prague to Dresden

    By train to Dresden, arriving around lunch time. We have the rest of the day to enjoy Dresden, where we have a 2-night stay.

  12. Day 12overnight: Dresden

    Dresden

    Today we make a return trip on the two local steam railways located on the outskirts of Dresden, the Weisseritztalbahn and the 17km Loessnitzgrundbahn line from Radebeul.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Cologne

    Dresden to Cologne

    A morning train back to Cologne, following a change of trains we arrive late afternoon. We regroup for a farewell dinner at the hotel.

  14. Day 14rail

    Cologne to London

    We take a morning train from Cologne to Brussels and where we connect with the Eurostar service to London, arriving mid-afternoon.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Day 4: excursion on the Oberweissbacher Bergbahn funicular railway to the remote village of Cursdorf on the Schwarzatalbahn.
  • Day 7Day 7: travel across the Semmering Pass, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 41 kilometers of tunnels and viaducts, from Vienna to Graz.
  • Day 9Day 9: full day at the Czech Steam Locomotive Festival in Benesov with unlimited access to vintage steam and diesel locomotives running special departures and a vehicle exhibition.
  • Day 12Day 12: return journeys on two local steam railways, the Weisseritztalbahn and the 17-kilometer Loessnitzgrundbahn from Radebeul near Dresden.

Included

  • All rail travel in Standard Class
  • Standard Class InterRail Pass
  • Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • Excursions as detailed
  • 48-hour Vienna city travel card
  • Welcome and farewell dinners in Cologne
  • All local taxes/fees
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour

Questions travellers ask

Is all rail travel included in the price?
Yes. The tour includes all rail travel in Standard Class, a Standard Class InterRail Pass, and the Eurostar service from London St Pancras to Cologne and return.
Who leads the tour?
A tour leader from London accompanies the group throughout the 14 days.
Which heritage railways are featured?
The tour includes the Oberweissbacher Bergbahn and Schwarzatalbahn in Germany, the Weisseritztalbahn and Loessnitzgrundbahn steam railways near Dresden, and a full day at the Czech Steam Locomotive Festival in Benesov.
What is included in the price?
All rail travel in Standard Class, accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, the listed excursions, a 48-hour Vienna city travel card, welcome and farewell dinners in Cologne, and all local taxes and fees. The tour leader's services are also included.
When does the tour run?
One departure is confirmed for September 2026.
What happens on free days in cities?
Afternoons and some evenings in Cologne, Nuremberg, Vienna, Prague and Dresden are free to explore on your own. A 48-hour Vienna city travel card is included.

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