Steam in Denmark and Northern Germany

Embark on a refreshing summer escape to the Scandinavian seaside and the vibrant city of Copenhagen. Your journey features nostalgic steam railway rides through rural Denmark, scenic sightseeing cruises in both Copenhagen and Hamburg, and charming adventures aboard delightful narrow-gauge trains and countryside tramways. Enjoy the perfect blend of coastal relaxation, cultural exploration, and heritage rail experiences.

• Visit the provincial Danish heritage steam railways at Maribo and Hedelands, where you will enjoy charming overland steam journeys complete with photo stops—perfect for enthusiasts and photographers alike.
• Explore Denmark’s national railway museum at the Odense roundhouse, featuring the museum’s own running track and the fully operational 19th-century steam locomotive Odin. Continue to the nearby Skjoldenæsholm Tramway Museum, home to an impressive overland route and a superb collection of early 20th-century tramcars—the Danish counterpart to Crich Tramway Village.
• Savour attractive sightseeing cruises in both Copenhagen and Hamburg, including a private charter dinner cruise in Hamburg aboard the vintage 1876 steamboat St. Georg on the serene inland waters of the River Alster.
• Enjoy ‘ferry hopping’ on Hamburg’s lively River Elbe ferry network, rubbing shoulders with ocean-liner giants and exploring the waterfront freely with your inclusive ferry and public transport rover ticket.
• Take the spectacular round-trip railway journey over the long Öresund Bridge to Malmö, offering one of Scandinavia’s most impressive and scenic train rides along the Baltic Sea – an unforgettable highlight of your stay in Copenhagen.

Tuesday 4 August

Arrive in Copenhagen

Fly directly from London to Copenhagen, Denmark’s vibrant capital. Transfer by train to the city centre and your hotel near the main railway station and major attractions, ideal for using your complimentary Metro rover ticket. If arriving from our Baltic Seasider holiday, you continue from Rostock by ferry to Gedser and onward by DSB train across the islands of Lolland and Sjælland. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)

Wednesday 5 August

Sightseeing cruise and leisure in Copenhagen

After breakfast, board an open-top canal boat for a scenic cruise through Copenhagen’s waterways, passing many famous landmarks. The rest of the day is free to explore the city at your own pace using your public transport pass or simply enjoy the harbour on foot. (B)

Thursday 6 August

Steam at the Danish Railway Museum; tramway museum at Skjoldenæsholm

Travel by DSB Intercity train to Odense on the island of Fyn. Visit the Danish National Railway Museum, housed in the historic roundhouse and featuring Odin, a working 1846 steam locomotive replica. After a café break, continue by coach to the Danish National Tramway Museum at Skjoldenæsholm for rides on heritage trams along its open-air line. Return to Odense and take the Intercity train back to Copenhagen for dinner. (B D)

Friday 7 August

Train trip to Malmö over the Öresund Bridge

Experience one of Scandinavia’s greatest engineering achievements the nearly 8-km Öresund Bridge, a striking cable-stayed crossing linking Denmark and Sweden over the Öresund Strait. This impressive structure—one of Europe’s longest bridges—carries fast, frequent trains between Copenhagen and Malmö. After arriving in Malmö you enjoy some free time before returning by rail to Copenhagen for an afternoon and evening at leisure. (B)

Saturday 8 August

Steam at the Maribo heritage railway

In the morning you take a DSB train to Lolland to visit the preserved Maribo–Bandholm railway, worked by early 20th-century tank engines. Enjoy the full route, photo stops, and a look inside the engine shed. Lunch is included before returning to Copenhagen via Nykøbing. (B L)

Sunday 9 August

Steam at the Hedelands narrow-gauge railway

Travel by DSB train to Hedehusene near Roskilde for a ride on the 700 mm gauge Hedelands railway, winding through scenic countryside and operated by steam tank engines. Enjoy the full 5.3 km journey with photo stops, followed by lunch and your return to Copenhagen. (B L)

Monday 10 August

To Hamburg; evening dinner cruise on steamboat St. Georg

Take a direct EuroCity train from Copenhagen to Hamburg, passing through Flensburg, and enjoy scenic views of Denmark and Northern Germany along the way. After checking into your central hotel, enjoy a tranquil evening cruise aboard the historic 1876 steamboat St. Georg, complete with buffet dinner and views of Hamburg’s canals and historic districts. (B D)

Tuesday 11 August

Miniature Wonderland; River Elbe cruises

Visit Miniature Wonderland, the world’s largest model railway attraction, it’s a captivating and entertaining display featuring detailed geographic layouts in HO scale, ] with over 8 miles of track. Afterwards, enjoy views from the Elbphilharmonie terrace. Your inclusive rovers for public transport and River Elbe ferries allow unlimited travel and superb views of Hamburg and its busy port. (B)

Wednesday 12 August

Steam at Germany’s northernmost preserved railway

Travel north by DB service train to the Baltic seaside near the Danish border. The Angelner railway is particularly remarkable, operating historic steam locomotives and coaches of Scandinavian rather than German origin.

Ride behind a powerful 1952 Swedish 2-6-4 tank engine on a charter train from Kappeln to Süderbrarup along the 15km standard gauge line. After lunch, return to Kappeln with several run-pasts, then travel back to Hamburg for a free evening. (B L)



Thursday 13 August

Hamburg at leisure and return to London

Enjoy a free morning in Hamburg before taking the S-Bahn to the airport for your flight back to London. (B)

Please note that this tour can be easily combined with our preceding holiday, Baltic Seasider, for an extended journey filled with even more steam experiences and scenic views along the Baltic coast.