DRESDEN STEAM TRAIN TO MORITZBURG CASTLE: A Dresden Day Trip

Catching the Dresden Steam Train to Moritzburg Castle is a great choice for a day trip from Dresden. The steam train named the Lößnitzgrundbahn runs from Radebeul to Radeburg. The train passes through tranquil woodland, open valleys and tempting hill-side vineyards before making a stop in Moritzburg. 

This is the first in my Dresden day trips series. Check out my Best of Dresden with Kids post for more things to do in Dresden and the Rock Town for hiking nearby.

DRESDEN STEAM TRAIN TO MORITZBURG CASTLE ITINERARY

Catch the Dresden Steam Train to Moritzburg Castle from Radebeul Ost train station just outside of Dresden.

Radebeul Ost is on the S1 train line, which leaves from Dresden Hauptbahnhof, Dresden Mitte or Bahnhof Neustadt. The alternative is to take the number 4 Tram which runs through Postplatz. 

My kids love to visit the Dresden Hauptbahnhof even if we have no intention of catching a train. So for this excursion, we took the S-Bahn train.

At Dresden Hauptbahnhof, you can start your day with a good breakfast at Marche cafe. This large cafe offers a children’s play area and an extensive breakfast buffet for €15.90 on weekdays, €19.90 weekends.

The S1 departs the Dresden Hauptbahnhof every 30 minutes. Use the online planner to check the times.  

In the main hall near the tracks, there is also a small model railway in a glass cabinet that can be activated with coins.

Purchase and validate your ticket prior to boarding the train.

Disembark the train at Radebeul-Ost station. On exiting the station you will see the glossy black steam train puffing out a thick cloud of white, waiting to be boarded. Tickets can be purchased directly from the conductor. Find time table of the Dresden Steam Train to Moritzburg Castle and ticket information here.

If the weather allows sit in the open carriage. This gives a great view up to the steam engine pulling down the track as well as to the hillside vineyards as they emerge in the distance.

Tip: Since the Dresden Steam Train is running on coal it does also produce some smoke and ash, occasionally we had some ash blowing towards us, wear sunglasses or just be prepared to look away for a moment if this happens.

The train runs all year. So if the weather is not suitable, take comfort inside one of the carriages. Stoves are kept burning within the compartment in the winter months and keep passengers toasty.

Disembark at Moritzburg Station and head towards the main street, named Schloßallee, this runs through the town centre and directly to the steps of  Schloss Moritzburg (Moritzburg Castle).

Moritzburg castle was built as a hunting and recreational palace in the 16th century. The palace sits on an island in the middle of a man made lake. The lake is drained in Autumn to allow the collection of fish, before the winter freeze.  Many of the fish only make it as far as the festival which is held to celebrate the occasion.

A Disney castle to rival Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. The German-Czech Cinderella story ” Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel” (Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella) was filmed here in 1973. The film still plays on German television every Christmas. Visitors to the castle in November won’t have access to the usual castle exhibition, but instead to the Cinderella Exhibit which runs at this time each year.

Tip: Be sure to check the Moritzburg Castle website for closures when you plan your visit.

DRESDEN DAY TRIP ADD ON:

2 km from the entrance to the palace you will find the Wildgehege Moritzburg. This is a gaming reserve, forest zoo, which is home to a number of forest dwelling animals. 30 different species of animals are found here including fox, lynx, racoons, deer and elk. Deer can be fed with grains can be purchased from the ticket booth. A raised wooden pavilion allows visitors to view the wolf enclosures from above.  

There is an infrequent bus service. Reach the park on foot in around 25 minutes or take a taxi. Most taxis will only carry a booster seat so you will need to prearrange a taxi require additional child restraints.

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