Ffestiniog Travel
Narrow Gauge Steam in Eastern Germany (2026)
15 daysfrom $3,973
Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour
Narrow Gauge Steam in Eastern Germany (2027)
This popular tour combines high speed rail with local and narrow-gauge lines that have survived the Cold War and are still operational.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Cologne
London to Cologne
Mid-morning departure on Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels Midi, where we make an onwards connection by high speed train to Cologne. Our hotel tonight is a short walk from the station.
- Day 2overnight: Dresden
Onwards to Dresden
We take 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. Enjoy a three course meal in the hotel restaurant.
- Day 3overnight: 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 Radeburg and Weisseritztalbahn, built in the late 19th Century and still in daily operation.
- Day 4overnight: Dresden
Döllnitzbahn Festival
Our visit coincides with the Open Monuments weekend and traditionally the Döllnitzbahn holds a transport festival. We ride the line from Oschatz to Glossen where we find a Feldbahn and there is also the spur to Kemmlitz.
- Day 5railovernight: Dresden
Zittau
We travel by rail a short distance from Dresden to the nearby Czech border and arrive in Zittau to find another steam hauled line which operates two branches to Kurort Oybin and Jonsdorf, before returning to Dresden in the afternoon.
- Day 6railovernight: Dresden
Cranzahl & Oberwiesenthal
A full day excursion beginning with a journey towards Chemnitz, then the branch line to Cranzahl. Here we find a steam train waiting to take us to Oberwiesenthal, in sight of the Czech border, before returning to Dresden.
- Day 7overnight: Stralsund
Stralsund & the Baltic Sea
Travelling via Berlin we arrive in Stralsund, once the second most important Hanseatic port. Our hotel for 3 nights is located adjacent to the station.
- Day 8overnight: Stralsund
The Molli
From Stralsund we take a short journey westwards via Rostock to Bad Doberan, home of the line affectionately known as the Molli, which travels through the streets to the coastal resort of Bad Kühlungsborn.
- Day 9railovernight: Stralsund
Rügen Island
The Island of Rügen is a favourite seaside destination for German tourists and the railway with its steam trains, nicknamed ‘Rasender Roland’, is an important attraction.
- Day 10overnight: Wernigerode
Inland to the Harz Mountains
Travelling on the main line we make our way to the old town of Wernigerode, full of half-timbered buildings and sitting high above the town is the 12th Century Castle. Wernigerode is the northern terminus of the Harzquerbahn (HSB), and we stay here for 4 nights.
- Day 11railovernight: Wernigerode
Harz Narrow Gauge Railway
The HSB is the biggest network on this tour. We include a Harz Rover Ticket for unlimited travel and your tour leader will offer an optional escorted excursion each day, including a trip to the summit of the Brocken by steam train.
- Day 12railovernight: Wernigerode
Harz Narrow Gauge Railway
The HSB is the biggest network on this tour. We include a Harz Rover Ticket for unlimited travel and your tour leader will offer an optional escorted excursion each day, including a trip to the summit of the Brocken by steam train.
- Day 13railovernight: Wernigerode
Harz Narrow Gauge Railway
The HSB is the biggest network on this tour. We include a Harz Rover Ticket for unlimited travel and your tour leader will offer an optional escorted excursion each day, including a trip to the summit of the Brocken by steam train.
- Day 14railovernight: Wuppertal
West to Wuppertal
Time to leave the mountains behind and head west to Wuppertal, where our hotel is close to the station for a 1-night stay. The afternoon is free to travel on the Schwebebahn hanging railway which runs along the Wupper Valley.
- Day 15rail
To London
After a leisurely breakfast we take a morning train via Cologne to Brussels where we finally connect with the Eurostar service to London St Pancras, arriving late afternoon.
Included
- Travel throughout in Standard Class
- Standard Class InterRail Pass
- Excursions as listed
- 3-day Harz Rover ticket
- Accommodation in good, quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- 1 evening meal
- Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour
