Tramways of Germany

Day 1 – London to Frankfurt

Mid-morning departure on Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels Midi, where we connect to a high speed train to Frankfurt for an overnight stay – our hotel is a short walk from the station.

Day 2 – Onwards to Nuremberg

We take a late morning ICE to Nurnberg for another overnight stay. Our early afternoon arrival allows time to ride some of the network comprising of 5 tram routes. Alternatively visit the Railway Museum, located a short walk from the station.

Day 3 – Munich Beckons

An early afternoon departure allows us some time this morning to ride those lines not covered yesterday. A short journey to Munich and transfer to our well-appointed hotel where we stay for the next 4-nights.

Day 4 – Munich Trams

Munich first began operating trams in 1876, initially horsedrawn, until electric trams were introduced 19 years later. Today Munich boasts 13 tram routes and we spend the day covering as many as we can. Those lines not covered today can be revisited later in the week.

Day 5 – Tramways of Augsburg

Augsburg is around half an hour by ICE from Munich and has 5 tram routes. The second largest network in Bavaria after Munich, Augsburg began running trams in 1881. We make a day excursion to see and ride this busy network.

Day 6 – At Leisure

A free day to either travel the routes not covered on Day 4 or, take a day trip to Ulm to ride its 2 tram routes. The metre gauge tramways in Ulm offer a modern and efficient public transportation system that connects key parts of the city and nearby areas. The network is relatively small compared to those in larger German cities but plays a vital role for the locals.

Day 7 – Onwards to Stuttgart

After a leisurely breakfast, we catch a late-morning ICE train to Stuttgart for a 3-night stay. Although the city's transit system is technically classified as an underground, most of the lines run above ground once you leave the bustling stop beneath the main station – where nearly all routes intersect. In total, there are 15 lines to explore.

Day 8 – Stuttgart Tramways

We have a full day riding more of this extensive system. The tram network in Stuttgart began in 1868 with horse-drawn trams and transitioned to electric trams in 1895, marking the start of rapid expansion throughout the city. Severely damaged during World War II, the system was rebuilt and modernized in the post-war era. In the 1970s, Stuttgart began converting its aging tram system into a modern light rail network, known as the Stadtbahn, replacing narrow-gauge tracks with standard gauge. Today, operated by Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen, the Stuttgart Stadtbahn is a state-of-the-art public transport system with 15 lines, blending tram and metro features to serve the city and its surrounding areas efficiently.

Day 9 – Karlsruhe

A full day’s excursion to Karlsruhe. Another large system with 7 tram routes. There is also a chance to ride one or more of the Tram Trains that operate from the main station or from outside the station, street running. Known as the “Karlsruhe Model” these Tram Trains started operating in 1992 and provide a connection between the regular railway network and the city’s local tram network. This model has since been adopted by other cities worldwide.

Day 10 – Essen & the Ruhr Valley

After breakfast we take the train to Essen, where our hotel for the next 4 nights is located a short walk from the station. The Ruhr is the largest urban area of Germany and Essen is the central and second largest city in the area.

Days 11 to 13 – Ruhr Valley Trams

Krefeld, Dusseldorf, Duisburg, Mulheim, Essen, Gelsenkirchen and Bochum all have their own tram systems. All are linked by a series of underground lines (and mainly run on the surface) and we will attempt to visit and ride on as many as possible during our stay. If this is not enough then Dortmund is also in easy reach.

Day 14 – Homeward Bound

After a leisurely breakfast we take a morning train via Cologne to Brussels where we  connect with the Eurostar service to London St Pancras, arriving late afternoon.