Essen’s XMAS Express returns for its second season on Saturday combining a guided red double-decker bus tour, a two-hour electrically powered lake cruise, and a visit to the city’s central Christmas market across five winter dates.
As Travel PR News reported on November 10, the seasonal excursion—originally launched in 2025—is a collaborative effort between RevierTouristik GmbH and Weisse Flotte Baldeney GmbH, with backing from EMG – Essen Marketing GmbH. The itinerary mixes industrial heritage with winter sightseeing in Germany’s Ruhr region.
Travelers may board the vehicle either at the Grenoblestraße coach stop located in Essen-Steele or at the Haus_der_Technik stop situated close to Essen’s central railway station. An accompanying guide provides context as the bus travels through the southern part of the city.
The route passes Margarethenhöhe, a historic garden suburb, and Villa Hügel, the former Krupp family residence, before reaching Lake Baldeney, according to reporting from Essen.de. At the lakeside, travelers transfer to a festive vessel operated by Weisse Flotte Baldeney for a roughly two-hour cruise.
The boat ride offers a quiet view of the reservoir on the Ruhr River, surrounded by woods and walking paths that often turn misty in late autumn and early winter. One hot drink per person is included in the excursion price, and daylight constraints make the late morning and midday departures ideal for maximizing visibility.
After the cruise, the double-decker bus resumes the guided sightseeing route. It passes the Krupp Quarter and heads towards Zollverein, the UNESCO-listed former industrial complex.
The tour concludes with an optional stop at the International Christmas Market Essen in the city center. The market runs from November 13 to December 23, 2026, featuring seasonal food, drink, and a medieval market area.
The XMAS Express operates on five specific dates: Saturday, November 14; Saturday, November 28; Sunday, November 29; Saturday, December 12; and Sunday, December 13, 2026. According to Deep Arrival, services depart from Essen Steele at 1:15 p.m. on November 14, and at 11:45 a.m. for the remaining four scheduled dates.
Adult tickets cost 49 euros, children’s tickets for ages 4 to 13 cost 29 euros, and front-row bus seats cost 55 euros. The fare covers the guided bus tour, the boat cruise, one hot drink, and a voucher for the Christmas market.
| Passenger Category | Standard Fare | Front-Row Bus Seat |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | €49 | €55 |
| Children (Ages 4-13) | €29 | Not Specified |
The market voucher provides a 50 percent discount on the first glass of mulled wine or non-alcoholic punch, valid at specific stalls including “Zum Ritter” on Kettwiger Straße and Kennedyplatz, as well as “Feuerwald” on Friedensplatz, according to Essen.de.
Tickets are available through the RevierTouristik website or in person at Essen Tourist Information at Kettwiger Straße 35. The tourist office can be reached at 0201 8872333.
Journalists interested in joining the inaugural departure on November 14 can arrange attendance in advance through RevierTouristik at [email protected].
