Drachenfels Railway
Drachenfels Railway things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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The Drachenfels Railway is a charming and historic cogwheel railway in Königswinter, Germany, offering a delightful journey to the summit of Drachenfels mountain. Opened in 1883, it is one of the oldest rack railways in Germany, adding a sense of nostalgia to the experience. The ride, lasting about 10 minutes, provides stunning views of the Rhine Valley, vineyards, and the surrounding Siebengebirge hills. The vintage carriages, with their wooden interiors and large windows, create a cozy and scenic atmosphere. Upon reaching the summit, visitors are rewarded with panoramic views stretching from Cologne to Bonn. The Drachenfels ruins, steeped in legend and history, are a short walk from the station, offering a glimpse into the region’s medieval past. The modern Drachenfels Plateau also has a café, providing the perfect spot to relax and take in the breathtaking scenery. The railway is a convenient and accessible way to explore one of the Rhineland's most picturesque spots. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for a unique excursion, the Drachenfels Railway offers a memorable experience that beautifully combines history, nature, and magnificent views.
Niroshan Pathberiya
00
Lovely staff and there's a little museum inside the "station" which is nice to walk around while waiting for the next tram. The tram leaves every 30 minutes. Even though the museum is cute, I don't recommend taking the tram if you are not bad on your feet, especially considering the price (€12 or €17 if you get a combo ticket with the castle). The ride is literally 5 minutes and you don't see anything on the way, just the forest. You do not get a view of the Drachenburg castle nor the ruins. The tram makes a stop at the castle before it takes you up to the Drachenfels ruins. The surroundings are beautiful, so I recommend hiking instead. It's an easy hike. If you have kids, then it might be a fun ride though. Make sure to sit at the front.
Anjani
20
Wir waren am Brückentag nach Himmelfahrt an der Talstation. Hatten vorher Mittag gegessen in der Fußgängerzone beim griechischen Restaurant Taverna Olympia ( wirklich gut ), Wir wußten das das Lokal an der Bergstation bei gutem Wetter völlig überfüllt war. Menschen mit Behinderung und Ausweis zahlen nur die Hälfte. Wir hätten für den Spaß mit der Bahn und der supertollen Aussicht oben auch gerne den vollen Preis bezahlt. Es war recht voll, ging aber zügig voran. Also uns hat es super gefallen... KLEINER TIP >> wenn man unten ander Rheinallee parkt ist es nur 500 m Fußweg bis zur Talstation. Dafür kann man 4 Std. kostenlos parken. Parkscheibe ist ein muß. Wenn man sie aber geschickt einstellt, werden auch leicht 5 Std. draus 😉. Zum Schluß noch ein paar Worte an die ewigen Nörgler betreff des Fahrpreises und der erbrachten Leistung : inzwischen ist ja wohl fast jeder in der Lage das Internet zu nutzen ( das schaffen sogar wir mit 75 Lenzen ). Dort kann man auf der WEB - Seite der Zahnradbahn > VORHER < alles über die Bedingungen und Preise erfahren. Wirklich alles. Es ist halt wie immer >> wer Lesen kann ist klar im Vorteil ! Aber inzwischen nimmt es ja schon groteske Züge bei vielen Rezessionen an. Für sein eigenes Unvermögen sind immer die anderen Schuld....
Jürgen H.
10
As in other places, it seams people here have a problem forming and respecting a proper cue, so getting in the train is a bit a fight due to the great amount of people. It seams a bit overpriced, but the staff is very friendly and helpful. The old rack trains are a nice touch, but the ride up the mountain is not very interesting. You might be better off just going uphill on foot...
Ricardo Mota
00
Loved the small coach chugging up the hills. The ticket fare is €12 for both ways and €10 for one way. U can buy the ticket online which is valid till end of the year or buy it directly at the counter. It has 2 stops, one at the Castle and another at the peak. Lovely views of the Rhine from the peak. Train runs every 15 mins till 7 pm during summer.
Santanu Kar Gupta (SKG)
20
Really nice little station to take you up to the top of the hill with the old castle, the reception are is good and speak English well and the trains leave every 15 minutes from the hour. Thier is a mid station stop at the main castle and the main stop is the old ruin at the top, it only takes a few minutes on the train from bottom to top
Matt Metcalfe
10
Nearby Attractions Of Drachenfels Railway
Schloss Drachenburg
Nibelungenhalle
Siebengebirgsmuseum
Weingut Pieper
Reptilienzoo Königswinter
Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung

Schloss Drachenburg
4.7
(7.8K)
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Nibelungenhalle
4.0
(881)
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Siebengebirgsmuseum
4.5
(117)
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Weingut Pieper
4.6
(71)
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Nearby Restaurants Of Drachenfels Railway
Winzerhäuschen
K.u.K. Weinhäuschen am Rhein
Ristorante Pizzeria Luise
Kaufmannsladen Königswinter
Altes Fährhaus
Kleinpetersberg
Cosy Corner 1717
Sarah's Konditorei & Café
Zur Meerjungfrau
Asia Restaurant Königswinter

Winzerhäuschen
4.6
(698)
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K.u.K. Weinhäuschen am Rhein
4.6
(462)
$$
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Ristorante Pizzeria Luise
4.5
(448)
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Kaufmannsladen Königswinter
4.7
(417)
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Basic Info
Address
Drachenfelsstraße 51, 53639 Königswinter, Germany
Map
Phone
+49 2223 92090
Call
Website
drachenfelsbahn.de
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.5
(4.8K reviews)
Ratings & Description
outdoor
scenic
adventure
family friendly
accessibility
Description
The Drachenfels Railway is a rack railway line in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany. The line runs from Königswinter, on the east bank of the Rhine, to the summit of the Drachenfels mountain at an altitude of 289 m. Besides the two terminal stations, an intermediate station serves the Schloss Drachenburg.
attractions: Schloss Drachenburg, Nibelungenhalle, Siebengebirgsmuseum, Weingut Pieper, Reptilienzoo Königswinter, Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung, restaurants: Winzerhäuschen, K.u.K. Weinhäuschen am Rhein, Ristorante Pizzeria Luise, Kaufmannsladen Königswinter, Altes Fährhaus, Kleinpetersberg, Cosy Corner 1717, Sarah's Konditorei & Café, Zur Meerjungfrau, Asia Restaurant Königswinter

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