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Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

South West Germany

Escorted German rail tour through Rhine, Moselle valleys, heritage railways

Illustration of South West Germany

Ffestiniog Travel operates this 10-day escorted tour through southwest Germany's Rhine and Moselle valleys, beginning in Karlsruhe and ending in Freiburg. A tour leader accompanies the group from London throughout the journey. The itinerary balances heritage railway excursions with scenic main-line rail travel and riverside exploration. Day 2 features the Cuckoo Railway, a steam-powered heritage line through the Palatine forest. Day 5 includes a cruise on the former paddle wheel steamer Goethe past riverside castles and terraced vineyards. Day 6 combines rail travel through the Moselle valley with a guided wine tasting in Trier's oldest cellar. Days 8 and 9 showcase two additional preserved railways: the Wutachtalbahn near the Swiss border and the Kandertalbahn to the pottery town of Kandern. Overnight stays are in Karlsruhe, Koblenz (at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle), and Freiburg in the Black Forest foothills. This tour suits rail enthusiasts, couples, history lovers, and those interested in German wine and heritage railways.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is currently listed (July 2027); confirm availability before planning

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Karlsruhe

    London to Karlsruhe

    Morning departure on Eurostar to Paris, to connect to a high speed train to Karlsruhe. Our hotel for the next 2 nights is a short walk from the station.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Karlsruhe

    Cuckoo Railway

    Board a regional service to the Palatine forest railway, known as the Kuckucksbähnle or Cuckoo Railway, built in the early 20th Century. After a museum visit we board the standard gauge steam service to Elmstein, then return via Lambrecht to Karlsruhe.

  3. Day 3overnight: Koblenz

    Rhine Valley to Koblenz

    Travel north along the Rhine valley to Koblenz for a 4-night stay, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. The afternoon is free to explore the city.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Koblenz

    Vulkan Express

    To Brohl to ride a 17km long metre gauge railway, built in the early 20th Century primarily for transporting goods, with tourist operations from the early 90s.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Koblenz

    On the River

    We take a trip on the former paddle wheel steamer, now diesel powered, “Goethe” up-stream to Rüdesheim, passing castles, vineyards and the Loreley Rock, before returning to Koblenz by train.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Koblenz

    Trier & the Moselle Valley

    Journey by rail along the Moselle valley, following the river past terraced vineyards and ruined castles. In Trier we take a guided tour of Germany’s oldest wine cellar and a wine tasting before returning to Koblenz.

  7. Day 7overnight: Freiburg

    South to Freiburg

    Travelling via Mannheim we transfer to Freiburg, in the foothills of the Black Forest. Our hotel is a short walk from the station. We stay here for 3 nights.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Freiburg

    Wutachtalbahn

    We visit the Wutachtalbahn, a spectacular preserved standard gauge line built as a strategic railway on the Swiss border, from Zollhaus-Blumberg to Weizen, nicknamed the “pigtail railway”.

  9. Day 9overnight: Freiburg

    Kandertalbahn

    We head south to Haltingen to ride the preserved standard gauge Kandertalbahn which runs 13km to the pottery town of Kandern.

  10. Day 10rail

    Homeward Bound

    After a leisurely breakfast we take a morning train via Karlsruhe to Paris to connect with the Eurostar service to London St Pancras, arriving early evening.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board the Cuckoo Railway's steam service through the Palatine forest to Elmstein, a standard gauge line built in the early 20th century
  • Day 4Ride the Vulkan Express, a 17km metre gauge railway from Brohl, built originally to transport goods and now operating tourist services
  • Day 5Cruise upstream on the former paddle wheel steamer Goethe past castles, vineyards and the Loreley Rock to Rüdesheim, then return by train
  • Day 8Experience the Wutachtalbahn, the preserved 'pigtail railway' from Zollhaus-Blumberg to Weizen, built as a strategic line on the Swiss border

Included

  • All rail travel as stated in Standard Class
  • Excursions as listed
  • Heritage Rhine river cruise
  • Accommodation in good, quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. All rail travel in Standard Class is included, including Eurostar to and from London, regional services, and four heritage railway excursions.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Ffestiniog Travel provides a tour leader who travels from London and stays with the group throughout the 10 days.
Which heritage railways are featured?
The Cuckoo Railway (Kuckucksbähnle) in the Palatine forest, the Vulkan Express (17km metre gauge near Brohl), the Wutachtalbahn from Zollhaus-Blumberg to Weizen, and the Kandertalbahn from Haltingen to Kandern.
What are the main overnight cities?
Karlsruhe (2 nights), Koblenz (4 nights), and Freiburg (3 nights). All hotels are a short walk from the station.
What is included in the price?
All rail travel in Standard Class, bed and breakfast accommodation, four heritage railway excursions, a Rhine river cruise, a guided wine tasting in Trier, and the services of a tour leader.
How much walking is involved?
City exploration in Koblenz and Freiburg, boarding heritage trains and river boats, and guided tours. The tour is structured but involves standard city walking.

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