Day trips

Day trip to Trier from Luxembourg

6 min read

The Porta Nigra Roman gate in Trier, Germany

Getting there

Direct trains run from Luxembourg Central to Trier Hauptbahnhof every hour, journey time 50 minutes. The Luxembourg leg is free but you’ll need a German ticket for the section from the border — buy the Rheinland-Pfalz-Ticket ($30, valid for up to 5 people) or a single from the CFL machine (about $9 return). Trier's old town is a 10-minute walk from the station.

Roman Trier

Trier was a Roman imperial capital and it shows. Buy the Antiquities Card ($20) for entry to the Porta Nigra (the black 2nd-century gate), the Imperial Baths, the Amphitheatre and the Basilica of Constantine. The Rheinisches Landesmuseum by the baths ($9) holds the gold hoard and the Neumagen wine ship. Give the Roman circuit 3-4 hours.

Old town and Karl Marx

The Hauptmarkt with its 10th-century market cross is the pretty medieval heart. Karl Marx was born at Brückenstrasse 10 — the house is now a museum ($6). Have lunch at Weinstube Kesselstatt beside the Dom, $18 for schnitzel with local Riesling by the glass at $6. For coffee and cake, Konditorei Kartes on Fleischstrasse is the local pick.

Wine and beer for the return

Trier sits at the top of the German Moselle. Weinstube Palais Kesselstatt pours estate wines from $5 a glass. If beer is more your thing, Kraftbräu on Bruchhausenstrasse brews on-site, pints $4.50 — half what you’ll pay back in Luxembourg. Last direct train back is around 10pm.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a ticket for the German train section?

Yes. Free travel ends at the Luxembourg-German border. Buy a single at the CFL machine (about $4.50 each way) or a Rheinland-Pfalz-Ticket if you plan to explore further into Germany.

Is Trier cheaper than Luxembourg?

Significantly — beer is half price, meals 30% less, hotels 40% less. Many Luxembourgers cross weekly to shop.

How much time do I need in Trier?

A full day covers the main Roman sites, old town and 1 museum. Two days lets you add the Amphitheatre in depth, a wine tasting and a walk along the Moselle.

Can I combine Trier with a Luxembourg Moselle stop?

Yes. Get off at Wasserbillig on the return leg for a walk along the river or a tasting at Domaine Krier-Welbes across the border in Ehnen.