How much does it cost?

From £1,929 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,606 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Rail travel is included in the tour price if you choose the Standard or First Class option from London St Pancras via Eurostar to Stuttgart; if you join and leave at Stuttgart yourself, UK-Germany rail is not included. Within Germany, the tour rides the Killesbergbahn, the Schwaebische Waldbahn, and the Sauschwaenzlebahn.

Yes, with an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager throughout, based at one hotel in Stuttgart.

The Maritim Hotel in Stuttgart, for all six nights.

What meals are included?

Breakfast daily, plus 2 evening meals and 1 lunch across the six nights.

One departure is scheduled, in September 2027, priced from £1,929 per person joining at Stuttgart.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Rail & Ale in Stuttgart 2027

Stuttgart beer and heritage steam railway tour by Eurostar

Railtrail Tours runs this seven-day escorted tour based at the Maritim Hotel in Stuttgart, Germany, built around beer heritage and heritage steam railways, with an experienced Tour Manager throughout. After arriving by Eurostar and onward rail, or joining independently at Stuttgart, the days combine a guided walking tour of the city's brewing history, a ride on the narrow-gauge Killesbergbahn, and a beer tasting at the Stuttgart TV Tower, followed by a free day at the Cannstatter Volksfest festival. A rail trip into the Black Forest reaches the historic Alpirsbach Brewery, and two heritage steam railways follow: the Schwaebische Waldbahn through the Swabian Forest to Welzheim, and the Sauschwaenzlebahn, known as the 'Pig-Tail Railway', with its Stockhalde spiral tunnel. This suits beer enthusiasts and rail travellers who want scenic heritage lines paired with brewery visits from a single hotel base, with only 2 evening meals included so some dinners are on your own.

What to know before you look closer

The £1,929 lead-in price is for joining and leaving the tour at Stuttgart yourself; rail travel from the UK via Eurostar costs extra, from £2,199 in Standard Class or £2,399 in First Class, which includes Eurostar Plus.
Only 2 evening meals and 1 lunch are included across the six nights; breakfast is included daily, so budget for some dinners on your own.
Only one departure is scheduled, in September 2027.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Maritim Hotel, Stuttgart
London to Stuttgart by Eurostar
Travelling by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, then onwards to Stuttgart and our hotel for six nights, the Maritim Hotel, where we check in and enjoy our first evening meal together.
Day 2overnight: Maritim Hotel, Stuttgart
Stuttgart walking tour, Killesbergbahn and TV Tower beer tasting
After breakfast this morning, we enjoy a guided walking tour of Stuttgart and its rich brewing legacy that dates back centuries offering a perfect mix of history, culture, and local beer with culinary highlights and beer tastings along the way. This afternoon, we visit Killesberg Park for a ride on the narrow-gauge Killesbergbahn following the curvy, varied route around the park with its beautiful green spaces. As evening falls, we ascend the iconic Stuttgart TV Tower for a fantastic beer tasting with finger-food served alongside and we enjoy sweeping panoramic views from Stuttgart's highest vantage point.
Day 3overnight: Maritim Hotel, Stuttgart
Cannstatter Volksfest
Today, we are free to immerse ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the Cannstatter Volksfest, one of Germany's great festivals for almost 200 years. Explore the lively fairground, browse the traditional trade stands, sample classic German dishes, and soak up the music, flavours, and camaraderie inside the famous beer tents. This is a true celebration of local culture and, of course, great beer!
Day 4railovernight: Maritim Hotel, Stuttgart
Alpirsbach Brewery in the Black Forest
After breakfast, we travel by rail into the Black Forest to Alpirsbach, home to centuries-old brewing traditions. Here, we visit the Alpirsbach Brewery for a guided tour of this historic brewhouse gaining deep insights into the craft and brewing process with impressive exhibits, historical machines, and practical tools finishing, of course, with a refreshing, freshly tapped draft beer! Afterwards, we enjoy our lunch together at a local restaurant before returning to Stuttgart by rail for an evening at leisure.
Day 5railovernight: Maritim Hotel, Stuttgart
Schwaebische Waldbahn steam journey
This morning, we travel by train to Schorndorf to board the spectacular Schwaebische Waldbahn for a scenic, steam-hauled journey through the Swabian Forest to Welzheim and return. This demanding mountain route showcases brilliant engineering as it crosses fantastic viaducts, iron bridges, and steep inclines whilst passing beautifully renovated station buildings, historic mills, stunning green valleys, and dense forests - this is a highlight for railway enthusiasts and scenery lovers alike.
Day 6railovernight: Maritim Hotel, Stuttgart
Sauschwaenzlebahn - the 'Pig-Tail Railway'
Today, we travel by coach to experience one of Germany's most famous heritage railways - the Sauschwaenzlebahn - affectionately known as the 'Pig-Tail Railway'. This dramatic, steam-hauled journey combines engineering ingenuity with superb scenery thanks to its impressive loops, viaducts, and tunnels including the iconic Stockhalde spiral tunnel, the only tunnel of this type in Germany, and reminiscent of a curled pig's tail - hence the railway's name! Afterwards, we retrace our steps to Stuttgart in time for our final evening meal together.
Day 7rail
Return to London
We bid farewell to Stuttgart 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 2A guided walking tour covers Stuttgart's brewing history, followed by a ride on the narrow-gauge Killesbergbahn and a beer tasting at the Stuttgart TV Tower.
Day 3A free day at the Cannstatter Volksfest, one of Germany's great beer festivals, running for almost 200 years.
Day 4A rail journey into the Black Forest reaches Alpirsbach for a guided tour of its historic brewery, finishing with a freshly tapped draft beer.
Day 5The Schwaebische Waldbahn runs a steam-hauled journey through the Swabian Forest to Welzheim and back, crossing viaducts and iron bridges.
Day 6The Sauschwaenzlebahn, or 'Pig-Tail Railway', makes a steam-hauled run through loops, viaducts, and the Stockhalde spiral tunnel, the only one of its type in Germany.

Included

6 nights bed & breakfast plus 2 evening meals and 1 lunch
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 £1,929 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,606 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Rail travel is included in the tour price if you choose the Standard or First Class option from London St Pancras via Eurostar to Stuttgart; if you join and leave at Stuttgart yourself, UK-Germany rail is not included. Within Germany, the tour rides the Killesbergbahn, the Schwaebische Waldbahn, and the Sauschwaenzlebahn.
Is it escorted?: Yes, with an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager throughout, based at one hotel in Stuttgart.
Which hotel is used?: The Maritim Hotel in Stuttgart, for all six nights.
What meals are included?: Breakfast daily, plus 2 evening meals and 1 lunch across the six nights.
When does it depart?: One departure is scheduled, in September 2027, priced from £1,929 per person joining at Stuttgart.