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Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

Poland & the Wolsztyn Steam Locomotive Parade

Poland and Germany by rail, with steam locomotives and railway museums

Illustration of Poland & the Wolsztyn Steam Locomotive Parade

Ffestiniog Travel operates this 14-day escorted tour combining railway heritage and Eastern European cities. Beginning in Cologne and ending in Frankfurt an der Oder, the itinerary centres on Poland's railway museums and the world-famous Wolsztyn Steam Locomotive Parade, where more than a dozen historic steam engines from across Europe converge at Europe's last working steam locomotive depot. Days are structured around train journeys linking Cologne, Poznan, Warsaw, Krakow, Berlin, and Frankfurt an der Oder, interspersed with leisure time for tram exploration in three Polish cities, each day including a public transport ticket. Specialist excursions visit the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in Sochaczew, the Chabowka Rolling Stock Heritage Park near Krakow, and key historical sites including Wieliczka Salt Mine and Auschwitz. The tour suits repeat rail travellers interested in railway heritage, history enthusiasts, and photographers seeking structured access to museum collections and operating heritage railways. A Ffestiniog Travel guide leads the group throughout, handling logistics and providing context at each destination.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is currently listed: April 2027 at GBP 2,825 (approximately USD 3,773).
  • Day 10 includes a visit to Auschwitz Birkenau; potential visitors should be prepared for the historical and emotional significance of this site.
  • The from-price covers Standard Class rail travel; First Class rail upgrade is available upon request, subject to availability.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Cologne

    To Cologne

    A mid-morning departure by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, then onwards to Cologne where we stay for 1 night.

  2. Day 2overnight: Poznan

    Onward to Poland

    An early morning departure for a full day’s journey to Poznan where we stay for 3 nights.

  3. Day 3overnight: Poznan

    Steam Locomotive Parade

    A full day at the Steam Locomotive Parade featuring more than a dozen steam engines from across Europe, in Wolsztyn, famous for its steam locomotive depot which still operates regular steam powered passenger trains, the last of its kind in Europe.

  4. Day 4overnight: Poznan

    Day at Leisure in Poznan

    Poznan is known for its stunning Old Town. A 24-hour public transport ticket is included today to explore the city using its tram system.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Warsaw

    On to Warsaw

    After a leisurely breakfast we catch a mid-morning train to Warsaw for a 3-night stay. The rest of the day is at leisure.

  6. Day 6overnight: Warsaw

    Day at Leisure in Warsaw

    A full day at leisure in Warsaw, exploring the city’s tram network (28 lines, approximately 90 miles) with a 24-hour public transport ticket included.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Warsaw

    Narrow Gauge Railway & Warsaw Railway Museums

    We travel by train to Sochaczew to visit the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, housing Europe’s largest collection of narrow gauge steam, diesel and electric locos, then to the Warsaw Railway Museum (Stacja Museum) in the afternoon.

  8. Day 8overnight: Krakow

    On to Krakow

    Morning departure on a direct service to Krakow. A lunchtime arrival leaves the afternoon free with the 24-hour public transport ticket included. The tram network here has 27 lines covering over 50 miles.

  9. Day 9overnight: Krakow

    Chabowka Heritage Park

    A private bus transfer to Chabowka Rolling Stock Heritage Park, an open-air museum with around 90 exhibits including steam, electric and diesel locomotives, carriages and freight cars. A packed lunch is included.

  10. Day 10overnight: Krakow

    Wieliczka Salt Mine & Auschwitz

    A private coach takes us to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, the “Underground Salt Cathedral of Poland”, then after lunch we continue to Auschwitz Birkenau, the largest concentration camp in occupied Europe during 1940-1945.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Berlin

    Rail to Berlin

    We leave Poland this morning by train and head back into Germany for a 2-night stay in Berlin. The rest of the day is at leisure.

  12. Day 12overnight: Berlin

    Frankfurt an der Oder

    A chartered ride on a historic tram car through the streets of Frankfurt an der Oder, preserved by the Historic Frankfurt Association. The rest of the day is free to explore Frankfurt’s tram network.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Cologne

    To Cologne

    After breakfast we take a train to Cologne for a 1-night stay, the rest of the day is at leisure.

  14. Day 14rail

    Homeward Bound

    Morning departure to Brussels where we connect with the Eurostar, arriving London early afternoon.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3A full day at the Wolsztyn Steam Locomotive Parade featuring more than a dozen steam engines from across Europe, at the depot that still operates regular steam-powered passenger trains, the last of its kind in Europe.
  • Day 7Train journey to Sochaczew to visit the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, housing Europe's largest collection of narrow gauge steam, diesel and electric locomotives, then to the Warsaw Railway Museum in the afternoon.
  • Day 9Private bus transfer to Chabowka Rolling Stock Heritage Park, an open-air museum with around 90 exhibits including steam, electric and diesel locomotives, carriages and freight cars.
  • Day 12A chartered ride on a historic tram car through the streets of Frankfurt an der Oder, preserved by the Historic Frankfurt Association, with the rest of the day free to explore the tram network.

Included

  • All rail travel as stated in Standard Class
  • Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • 24-hour public transport tickets for Poznan, Warsaw and Krakow
  • Excursions as specified
  • 1 packed lunch
  • Local taxes/fees
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes, Ffestiniog Travel includes all rail travel in Standard Class as stated in the itinerary, from London via Eurostar to Cologne, then across Germany and Poland, returning via Cologne to London.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes, a tour leader from Ffestiniog Travel accompanies the group from London and throughout the 14 days.
What is the main focus of this tour?
The tour centres on railway heritage and steam locomotives, with a full day at the Wolsztyn Steam Locomotive Parade, visits to the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in Sochaczew, Warsaw Railway Museum, and Chabowka Rolling Stock Heritage Park.
What accommodation is included?
Ffestiniog Travel provides bed and breakfast in good quality hotels: CityClass am Dom in Cologne, Mercure Poznan, Polonia Palace Hotel in Warsaw, Tribe Hotel in Krakow, and Intercity Hotel in Berlin.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes city walking and tram exploration in Poznan, Warsaw, and Krakow (with included 24-hour transport tickets), coach transfers to heritage parks and museums, and walking in the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
What is not included?
Meals other than bed and breakfast (except one packed lunch on Day 9), flights, visas, travel insurance, and items of a personal nature are not included.

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