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 (948 ft).

The line is 1.5 km (0.93 mi) long and is single track.

[5] The line opened, with trains propelled by steam locomotives, on July 13, 1883.

[4][6] The Drachenfels Railway was converted to electric traction in 1953, with steam trains retained for use in times of peak traffic.

One of the line's former steam locomotives is displayed outside the lower station.