Dresden Steam Festival

Holiday Highlights

  • Dresden Steam Engine Festival, including evening photographic session at Roundhouse 1
  • Return journey on Kirnitzschtal tramway
  • Return journey on the Weisseritztalbahn & Loessnitzgrundbahn steam railways
  • Travel by paddle steamer on the Elbe River
  • Public transport ticket for central Dresden
  • 8 days from £1,645pp
Tailor this tour for independent travel

Tour Dates:
Thursday 11 April to Thursday 18 April 2024

Our tour to Dresden for the Steam Festival has become an annual favourite. Enjoy lots of steam content over the 16th Festival weekend before experiencing return trips on both the Weisseritztalbahn and Loessnitzgrundbahn. We also include a day trip up the Elbe on a historic paddle steamer.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Aachen

Early afternoon Eurostar from St Pancras London to Brussels where we connect to the high speed train to Aachen. Our hotel for tonight, the Ibis am Marschiertor, is just a short walk away. Dinner is included.

Day 2 – Onwards to Dresden

Travel via regional services and ICE from Aachen to Dresden. Our hotel for the next 5 nights is the IntercityHotel which is situated adjacent to the main station in Dresden.

Days 3 & 4 – Dresden Steam Engine Festival

We have 2 full days to spend at the festival. Exact details of the festival’s programme will be confirmed by the festival’s organisers closer to the time, but we can expect informative presentations, fascinating displays, steam loco cab rides, diesel engines at the Verkehrsmuseum, model trains and both historic and modern locos. We will have access to the festival area around the railway and Dresden traffic museums and entry also includes an evening, illuminated photo session of steam locomotives at Roundhouse 1, with commentary, and a steam journey ‘special’ (route details are still to be confirmed).

Day 5 – Weisseritztalbahn & Loessnitzgrundbahn

Today we make a return trip on the two local steam railways located on the outskirts of Dresden, the Weisseritztalbahn and the 17km Loessnitzgrundbahn line from Radebeul.

Day 6 – Paddle Steamer up the Elbe

A journey up the Elbe River by paddle steamer. We take a morning paddle steamer from Dresden to Bad Schandau, stopping off at Pillnitz en route. At Bad Schandau we board the historic Kirnitzschtal tramway which runs through the valley of the Kirnitzch River to the Lichtenhain Waterfall. The return journey to Dresden is by S-bahn.

Day 7 – Cologne

Morning departure to Cologne via ICE train. Following a change of trains in Frankfurt, we arrive in Cologne early evening. Our hotel is ideally located in the station building.

Day 8 – Homeward Bound

We take a morning ICE to Brussels and change on to the Eurostar to London. Arrive back in London mid-afternoon.

Tour Route

Tour route map

Selected Hotels

Ibis am Marschiertor, Aachen

InterCityHotel, Dresden

Ibis Köln am Dom, Cologne

Please note - hotels can be subject to change

Price Includes

  • All rail travel as stated in Standard Class
  • Entry to Dresden Steam Festival
  • Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
  • Welcome dinner in Aachen
  • Excursions as stated
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour

Price per person

Escorted holiday: £1,645
Single room supplement: £205
Deposit for this holiday: £200

Booking form

Download your tour booking form here.

Download

Why Choose Ffestiniog Travel?

  • UK's first rail tour operator to run an overseas escorted rail holiday in 1974
  • Created for people who love rail holidays and exploring the world’s heritage railways
  • Dedicated rail holiday specialist - great destinations, sightseeing and unparalled railway content
  • Train ticket supplier for worldwide rail operators - we can plan and arrange your rail journey to anywhere
  • Knowledge of the world’s rail routes makes us leading specialists in escorted and Tailor Made rail holidays
  • Over 60% of our existing rail tour travellers return to holiday with us year after year
  • Committed to supporting rail travel and heritage railways around the world
  • Our profits support the continued preservation of the famous Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways
  • Small, dedicated rail holiday travel team offering an award winning personal service

Logos Pharos Response ABTOT AITO Quality Charter

Facebook Twitter YouTube Flickr