Zittau Narrow Gauge Railway

Zittau Narrow-Gauge Railway has been operating since 1890 and is one of the few historic steam railways in Germany that still runs daily scheduled services.

Departing from Zittau Hauptbahnhof, the route travels to Bertsdorf, where the track forks off to two scenic mountain spa resorts: either Oybin or Jonsdorf. The whole journey takes around 45 minutes, winding through the beautiful wooded valleys of the Zittau Mountains.

In peak season, trains depart every two hours, with services more frequent at weekends. Buy your tickets at any station along the way or on board the train. A return ticket costs €20 (€15 for concessions), although passengers using a Deutschlandticket can travel the line by paying a local "historical heritage surcharge" of €10 (€5 for concessions).

Top tips:

Oybin: Perched high on a hilltop of the same name, the spectacular ruins of a Gothic castle and monastery serve up fabulous views of the Tri-Country Region.

Jonsdorf: A more peaceful, less-crowded alternative surrounded by striking sandstone rock formations that are ideal for scenic walks.