Group tour suggestion: Experience Saxony by Steam
Journey
What to expect
Nostalgic traces can be found everywhere in Saxony: The first German steam train was built here, the first inter-city railway line of Germany was inaugurated and still today it is a marvellous way to experience “Saxony by Steam”.
The locomotive whistles briefly, the valves hiss and the stoker bucks up for your nostalgic ride in the oldest narrow railway in commission: The Weißeritz Valley Railway (Weißeritztalbahn), which counts as one of the most beautiful tracks in Europe due to its scenic variety. It runs from Freital through the charming Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) to Kipsdorf. Of course we would like to send you on further "tracks": Discover the Lößnitz Ground (Lößnitzgrund) during a trip with the Lößnitz Valley Railway ("Lößnitzdackel") or betake yourself to the mountain area which opens up during a trip with the Fichtelberg Railway or the Zittau narrow-gauge railway (Zittauer Schmalspurbahn).
Not only onshore you get to see "Saxony by Steam" but also by sea, for example on a trip with a historic paddle steamer from Dresden to Pillnitz. Enjoy the view at the Old Town of Dresden and Pillnitz Palace!
Contact Person
Frauke Mollée
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Itinerary
Detailed information for journey "Saxony by Steam"
Basic package for your special interest tour "Saxony by steam":
4 days / 3 nights
Day 1: Individual arrival to Dresden
On the first day of your tour to Saxony you get to know Dresden on a guided walk. On your way with the guide you see the Old Town with the Church of Our Lady, the Green Vault and the Semper Opera. Afterwards you learn everything about steam engines during a visit to the railway museum in Dresden. In the evening, a very special dinner is awaiting you in the restaurant Dresden 1900 which tells the story of transport in Dresden at the turn of the century.
Day 2: Boat tour with a historic paddle steamer
Today you start with a railway tour from Freital to the northern Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) to Dippoldiswalde. The Weißeritz Valley Railway (Weißeritztalbahn) weaves through partly narrow and sharply incised valleys, passes majestic rock faces over the viaduct up to the dam Malter and ends in the health resort Kipsdorf. In the afternoon you take a boat trip with a historic paddle steamer through the picturesque Elbe Valley from Dresden to Pillnitz. Enjoy the view over the protected biota. In Pillnitz you have the possibility to visit the palace from the 18th century and the adjacent park.
Day 3: Moritzburg and ride with the Lößnitz Valley Railway 
On the third day of your group tour the topic "Saxony by Steam" will be enlarged on again. On a tour with the Lößnitz Valley Railway "Lößnitzdackel", a popular Saxon narrow-gauge railway, you go from Radebeul to Moritzburg. Here you visit the baroque Moritzburg Hunting Lodge which is located on an artificially formed island. After your return in Dresden the rest of the day is free time at your disposal.
Day 4: Individual departure from Dresden
With many new impressions and great experiences around the topic steam engines you strike out for home today. Extend your group tour to Dresden and plan further trips to the surroundings for example with the narrow railway to the Zittau Mountains. Visit the Dresden Transport Museum or the engine shed in Bertsdorf. We will be pleased to organise further steam engine tours or exciting excursions to museums which are specialised on steam engines for you.
This itinerary is only a suggestion for your next steam train tour to Saxony which can be adjusted according to your desires. Whether you draw inspiration from the proposals made in this itinerary or blend them with your own ideas, the AugustusTours team is looking forward to putting together your next steam train tour.
Contact Person
Frauke Mollée
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Services
Services included
Basic package for your special interest tour "Saxony by steam":
4 days / 3 nights
- 3x overnight stay incl. breakfast in Dresden
- Sightseeing tour to Dresden
- Admission and guided visit to the Dresden Railway Museum
- 1 dinner in the restaurant Dresden 1900
- Boat trip with a historic paddle steamer from Dresden to Pillnitz
- Ride with the Weißeritz Valley Railway (Weißeritztalbahn) from Freital to Kipsdorf
- Ride with the Lößnitz Valley Railway ("Lößnitzdackel") from Radebeul to Moritzburg
- Visit to the Moritzburg Hunting Lodge
- Travel documents for the tour manager/ driver
- 24-hrs AugustusTours telephone service during your group tour
PLUS packages for your steam train tour to Saxony
DresdenPLUS
No group trip to Dresden is complete without an excursion to Pillnitz Castle, which was once the summer residence of Saxon rulers from the House of Wettin. A stroll through the park gives visitors the chance to explore a fascinating and important collection of rare and valuable plants. To finish your excursion to Pillnitz in style, why not travel back to Dresden on a historic paddle steamer?
- 2x additional overnight stay incl. breakfast in Dresden
- Sightseeing tour by vintage tram through Dresden incl. guided visit to the Tram Museum Dresden
- Excursion by paddle steamer to Pillnitz Palace and guided visit to the Park
- Tour with the historic funicular in Pillnitz and coffee break at the restaurant Luisenhof, also called the "Balcony of Dresden"
- Guided visit to the Railway Museum and depot Dresden-Altstadt
OreMountainsPLUS
If you would also like your group trip to include tradition, craftsmanship and enchanting landscapes, we recommend taking an excursion to the Ore Mountains. In addition to a steam train tour to Steinbach by the narrow gauge railway "Pressnitztalbahn" you will visit two important railway museums.
- 2x additional overnight stay incl. breakfast in Chemnitz
- Day excursion incl. tour on the "Pressnitztalbahn" from Joehstadt to Steinbach
- Guided visit to the Railway Museum in Schwarzenberg
- Day excursion incl. guided visit to the Saxon Railway Museum in Chemnitz
- Tour on the museum Railway in Schönheide and visit to the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in Rittersgruen.
LusatiaPLUS
This extension of your group tour includes a guided walking tour of the historic old town of Bautzen, which boasts a wonderful variety of listed buildings, towers, narrow mediaeval streets and atmospheric pubs.
- 2x additional overnight stay incl. breakfast in Bautzen/Görlitz
- Guided sightseeing tour in Bautzen
- Tour on the Zittau Railway from Zittau to Oybin
- Exursion to the city of Goerlitz and following tour with the narrow-gauge Railway Bad Muskau
LeipzigPLUS
Complement your group tour with an extention in Leipzig. Your guests will be delighted by this lively city and its network of architecturally interesting traders’ buildings and beautiful, historic shopping arcades.
- 1x additional overnight stay incl. breakfast in Dresden
- Sightseeing tour Leipzig
- Visit to the Railway Museum Leipzig
- a tour on the “Döllnitzbahn” from Oschatz to Mügeln (Under steam during several weekends)
Further suggestions
- Visit to the Dresden Transport Museum
- Ride with the Dresden Park Railway
- Ride with the narrow-gauge railways Zittauer Schmalspurbahn, Döllnitzbahn and Preßnitztalbahn
- Visit to the engine shed of the Zittau narrow-gauge railway (Zittauer Schmalspurbahn) in Bertsdorf
Our hotel recommendation
IBIS hotels Dresden
The IBIS hotels Bastei and Königstein are located in the heart of Dresden in a pedestrian zone. The railway station, public transport and the sights of the Old Town are easily-accessible within minutes. For coaches a fee-based parking spot is located approx. 500 m from the hotels.
The Dresden lodging tax is quoted based on the accommodation rate per person per night. The exact costs will be calculated for each tour individually. Please note that coach driver/tour manager can be excluded from the payment of the tax as it is a work related overnight stay. An attestation by the employer has to be produced at the latest on departure day.
Please note: The steam train travel is only offered for groups off 10 people. But we are also offering a similar service for individual travelers or small groups with less than 10 persons. Visit our topic experience travels for private clients and discover our travels about the topic of steam, which are also bookable off one person.
This itinerary is only a suggestion for your next steam train tour to Saxony which can be adjusted according to your desires. Whether you draw inspiration from the proposals made in this itinerary or blend them with your own ideas, the AugustusTours team is looking forward to putting together your next steam train tour.
Contact Person
Frauke Mollée
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Quotes
Prices for services included
This steam train tour to Dresden "Saxony by Steam" is characterized by its creativity and flexibility, with each itinerary specially tailored to both your requirements and those of your guests. It can be shortened, extended or adapted according to your desires. The prices are based on the programme, group size and hotel class. We are looking forward to your inquiry and provide you with an individual offer for your steam train tour to Dresden "Saxony by Steam" or for other steam train tours in Germany. We are also happy to organize a cultural tour in different German cities for your group!
Please note:
The state capital of Dresden has passed an amendment regarding the calculation of the „Lodging Tax“, introduced 01/07/2015, effective 01/01/2016. The tax is now quoted based on the accommodation rate per person per night. The exact costs will be calculated for each tour individually, included in the offer and are to be paid on the spot.
Request
Booking inquiry for your steam train tour
Are you a passionate railway enthusiast? Do you enjoy visiting steam locomotive events as well? Then we are pleased about your interest in our individual trips, e.g. to Dresden for the Dresden Steam Engine Festival. Working as an incoming and tour operator in Germany for almost 25 years now, AugustusTours has become a reliable partner for both groups and clubs as well as for individual travellers wishing to visit Germany.
Unfortunately, our tour to the Dresden Steam Engine Festival is already fully booked. We can also no longer offer you tickets. However, for short-term requests, we recommend that you inquire directly with the organizers of the Dresden Steam Engine Festival.
Tour impressions from fellow travellers