Steam in Slovakia and Austria

Enjoy steam in two different Central European countries, with the Bratislava railway festival ‘Rendez’ and a private steam charter at the Schneeberg rack railway in Austria among the signature attractions of this all new holiday.

• Join Slovakia’s largest annual railway festival ‘Rendez’ for two days in Bratislava, with most of the country’s large 4-8-2 steam locomotives a 4-8-4 tank engines in attendance, plus scores of other historic locomotives and guest steam locos from neighbouring countries, with ample opportunities to ride and along and photograph as well.
• Explore the mountains of Austria on and off the beaten path with private charter trains and steam delights at the Schneebergbahn rack railway with a vintage 1893 0-4-2 rack tank and in the Waldviertel at Siegmundsherberg with a 1920s 2-8-2 main line locomotive.
• Travel on scenic Austrian bylines like the Franz-Josefs-Bahn and the Kamptalbahn aboard loco-hauled OBB trains.
• Stay in the attractive and vibrant European capital cities Bratislava and Vienna with ample free time to enjoy local attractions and culture.

Friday 11 June

Arrive to Vienna: Railjet to Bratislava 

Fly from London to Austria on an early morning departure, on arrival you continue your journey by rail to Slovakia’s charming capital, Bratislava. From Vienna Airport you take a short Railjet service to Wien Hbf, where you change on to the Regional Express (REX) service to Bratislava Main Station. On arrival in Bratislava, transfer to your hotel, where you enjoy lunch before receiving a complimentary public transport rover ticket, giving you the freedom to explore the city at your own pace. With a tram stop conveniently located right outside the hotel, you can reach the city centre in just five minutes. Spend the afternoon discovering Bratislava’s delightful Old Town, historic landmarks and iconic bridges, as well as the vibrant waterfront along the River Danube. (L)

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 June

Bratislava Steam Festival ‘Rendez’

These two days are entirely dedicated to participating in Slovakia’s largest annual railway festival, which takes place at the historic railway depot in the east of the city. From the main railway station to the festival grounds there are numerous shuttle trains using different historic rolling stock, including steam. At the festival scene you can then enjoy turntable shows, photo posing and an exhibition of international guest locomotives. There are also numerous steam excursion trains that start at the festival grounds and then run over ‘rare track’ to different corners of the city or small towns outside of Bratislava. On each day you will join one of these fun excursion trains. Enjoy the vibrant scene at this enjoyable railway festival, which always brings a vibrant cast of visiting international guest locomotives from neighbouring countries. (B)

Monday 14 June

Bratislava at leisure and on to Vienna

In the morning you may still enjoy time at leisure to explore Bratislava’s attractions and tram network at your own pace, before you take an early afternoon train to Vienna. Indeed Bratislava and Vienna are the two closest capital cities in continental Europe, just 60 mins apart by fast express train. You arrive at Wien Hbf by train in the mid afternoon and then walk across the street to check in to your centrally located quality hotel. You have a group dinner at a nice local restaurant and will also be given a complimentary public transportation rover, allowing you to freely get around Vienna by tram, underground train or S-Bahn. (D)

Tuesday 15 June

Steam at the Schneeberg rack railway

Today another tour highlight awaits as you steam straight into the Austrian Alps on a privately chartered train at the Schneeberg rack railway south of Vienna. An original 19th century steam locomotive pushes you up the 1800m ascent, seated in the comfort of your photogenic green heritage coach. Along the way the elegant 0-4-2 rack tank will pose for photos and from the summit there are sweeping views of the Alps and the plains of Hungary. After a delightful group lunch at a mountain lodge you’ll return downhill with your steam train. In the late afternoon you return to Vienna by ÖBB service train. (B L)

Wednesday 16 June

Steam at Sigmundsherberg with 93.1421, Kamptalbahn journey back to Wien

In the morning you make the scenic journey by OBB service train from Wien FJB over the Danube and along the storied Franz-Josefs-Bahn to Siegmundsherberg, which still has a grand old Austro-Hungarian era railway station and a quarter roundhouse that is the home to an attractive railway museum with the operational tank engine 93.1421. This iconic 2-8-2 tank will be in steam for our visit, give cab rides on the museum track and also pose for photos in front of the roundhouse.

A nice buffet lunch will be served at the museum for mid day refreshments, before you return to Vienna on the scenic Kamptalbahn via Horn and Krems. Final dinner will be served at the hotel restuarant. (B L D) 

Thursday 17 June

Vienna at leisure and return to London

In the morning you still have free time to enjoy and explore all the Vienna has to offer, before transfering to Vienna airport for your flight back to London. (B)