Latest Rail News for Travelers
Fresh updates on German rail travel, Deutschlandticket, strikes, and timetable changes. Written for travelers, not insiders.
Worth watching now
Timetable change in Saxony: VVO and VMS cut train services from December due to rising track access charges
High track access charges are forcing the Saxon transport associations VVO and VMS into a cost-cutting course: From the timetable change in December, numerous train services will be dropped – affected are S-Bahn lines in the Dresden area, regional trains in the Erzgebirge, as well as weekend and holiday connections.
New ICE and TGV connections from December: More direct trains to Berlin, Paris and Vienna
Deutsche Bahn is expanding its service with the timetable change on 13 December. Travelers from Baden-Württemberg will receive additional direct trains to Berlin, Paris and Vienna, more ICE stops in Baden-Baden and Offenburg, and possibly hourly IC connections to Zurich again.
More updates
SPD demands binding disruption plan for rail traffic in Schleswig-Holstein
After days of cancellations and delays between Pinneberg and Hamburg, SPD state chief Ulf Kämpfer is demanding that Transport Minister Claus Ruhe Madsen present a coordinated plan with clear rules for replacement buses, staffing and passenger information within four weeks. The Transport Ministry had already asked Deutsche Bahn on October 8 for measures to be in place by October 28.
DB expands Ulm-Dornstadt transshipment terminal with three fully automated cranes
Deutsche Bahn is expanding the combined transshipment terminal Ulm-Dornstadt with three fully automated gantry cranes. The second module is expected to increase annual capacity to up to 300,000 loading units.
DB Equips Ulm-Dornstadt Transshipment Terminal with Three Fully Automated Gantry Cranes
Three new fully automated gantry cranes will increase the planned capacity of the Ulm-Dornstadt transshipment terminal to up to 300,000 loading units per year. Trial operations of the second terminal module are expected to begin in mid-2027.
2027 timetable change: New ICE direct connections and night train from Baden-Württemberg
For the timetable change on 13 December 2027, Deutsche Bahn is significantly expanding services from Stuttgart and stations newly connected to Stuttgart: additional ICE Sprinter trains to Berlin, more TGV services to Paris, a returning night-ICE to Vienna, and weekend connections to Tyrol and the Baltic Sea.
ICE 596 speeds past Fulda: Driver misses stop – passengers forced to return by regional train
A fully occupied ICE traveling from Frankfurt to Berlin skipped its stop in Fulda on Sunday. The train only came to a halt in Hünfeld, 18 kilometers away – passengers had to return from there by regional train.
Line closure between Wiesbaden and Höchst: Commuters in Eddersheim now need twice as long
Since Friday morning, no trains have been running between Wiesbaden and Höchst. At the same time, the local road exit toward Okriftel is closed. Buses are supposed to replace the S-Bahn – but the app shows incorrect departure times, and commute times for Eddersheim commuters have doubled.
Construction work at Römerstadt: U1 and U9 in Frankfurt restricted from October 19
Due to construction work at the Römerstadt subway stabling facility, the U1 and U9 in Frankfurt will be partially out of service. From Monday, October 19, a rail replacement service with buses will run between Nordwestzentrum and Ginnheim Mitte.
2027 timetable change: Baden-Württemberg to get new ICE direct trains, TGV to Paris and night train to Vienna
Deutsche Bahn is significantly expanding its services from Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Baden-Baden and Offenburg for the timetable change on 13 December 2027. New additions include two ICE Sprinter trains to Berlin, an additional TGV to Paris, a night ICE to Vienna and weekend services to Tyrol.
Karlsruhe: Extensive rail construction sites from July 30 – Lines 2, 4, 5 and S2 affected by closures and diversions
The Karlsruhe Transport Authority (VBK) is launching several major construction sites from late July to modernize the rail infrastructure. Lines 2, 4, 5 and S2 are affected – with diversions, line closures and rail replacement services (SEV).
Signal box fault near Hamburg-Eidelstedt: Long-distance services between Hamburg and Kiel temporarily completely halted
Due to technical problems at a signal box near Hamburg-Eidelstedt, long-distance services between Hamburg and Kiel were at a standstill for several hours on Saturday morning. Travelers had to expect cancellations and delays; trains were running again from early afternoon.
Line closure near Hamburg-Eidelstedt: ICE and regional trains cancelled at start of school holidays
A signalling and interlocking fault between Hamburg-Eidelstedt and Pinneberg has been disrupting northbound rail traffic since Saturday morning. Affected are ICE and Railjet services to Stuttgart and Prague as well as several regional and Nordbahn lines.
Wiener Linien warn of subway trend: Phones glued to trains endanger passengers and attract penalties
A social media trend in which smartphones are attached to subway trains with suction cups or tape as the trains enter tunnels has prompted a clear warning from Wiener Linien. In addition to the risk of injury, legal consequences up to and including property damage and trespass are possible.
Baden-Württemberg puts 11 rail line reactivation projects on hold – 12 projects set to continue
Due to strained state finances, Baden-Württemberg's Ministry of Transport is reshuffling its rail reactivation projects: twelve initiatives are prioritized, eleven are put on ice for now. Transport Minister Razavi even considers the existing rail service to be at risk.
German government plans stricter oversight of Deutsche Bahn – turnaround on the rails?
The German government wants to exercise stronger control over Deutsche Bahn with a new plan. Transport Minister Steffen Bilger (CDU) announces imminent improvements. A commentary from Berlin.
Schedule change on 13 December: New ICE direct connections from Fulda – fewer trains to Berlin
From 13 December 2026, rail passengers in Fulda will benefit from a new ICE direct connection to the Baltic Sea as well as an earlier ICE to Frankfurt. At the same time, ICE connections on the north-south axis to Berlin will be thinned out, and extensive construction works between Fulda and Hanau are planned for 2027.
Rail timetable 2027: Construction extends ICE journeys from Kassel by up to 40 minutes
With the timetable change on 13 December 2026, new ICE connections come into force for Kassel – at the same time, extensive construction work between Hannover and Berlin as well as from mid-August 2027 toward the north causes significantly longer journey times. A daily direct connection to Innsbruck returns.
DB launches Hamburg–Munich Sprinter in 5:20 hours: Timetable change on 13 December brings over 320 international connections
From 13 December, a new Sprinter will connect Hamburg and Munich in 5:20 hours with only two intermediate stops in Hanover and Nuremberg. Advance ticket sales start on 14 October, and according to Deutsche Bahn, prices will remain stable.
Schedule change on December 13: New Sprinter line Hamburg–Munich saves 20 minutes
Deutsche Bahn is expanding its long-distance services with the schedule change on December 13 and introducing a new fast connection between Hamburg and Munich. At the same time, many routes remain affected by construction work.
2027 Timetable Change: New ICE Sprinters, direct Paris connections and night train to Vienna from Baden-Württemberg
From 13 December 2027, the new timetable applies in Baden-Württemberg: more ICE Sprinters to Berlin, additional TGV/ICE connections to Paris, a revived night train to Vienna and better connections to the Baltic coast and East Westphalia. Tickets will be available from 14 October. However, Deutsche Bahn expects temporary restrictions due to construction work.
Timetable change in December 2026: New ICE connection Stralsund–Hamburg and further construction sites in MV
From the timetable change in December 2026, an additional ICE connection between Stralsund and Hamburg is planned. At the same time, new construction sites are planned in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
New DB timetable from December 13: 70 daily Sprinter connections, ticket prices stable
A new timetable applies at Deutsche Bahn from December 13. Around 70 daily Sprinter connections are planned, ticket prices stay unchanged. Planned train cancellations are reversed following criticism.
Nationwide alcohol ban at train stations: Saarland extends regulation to all stations
From 15 October 2026, a ban on alcohol consumption applies at all train stations in Germany. The regulation already in force in Saarbrücken since May is thus being extended to all stations in Saarland. Deutsche Bahn is relying on house rules rather than additional control staff.
Deutsche Bahn in Baden-Württemberg seeks apprentices for 2027 – Job events in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe
Deutsche Bahn will train in over 50 professions in 2027 – from electrical systems fitter to train traffic controller, in some cases to IT specialist. Free DB job events are being held in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe.
Deutsche Bahn makes the Family Ticket a permanent offering – sale starts on 26 October
From 1 November, Deutsche Bahn's Family Ticket will be permanently bookable. For 99.99 euros, families receive a return trip including ICE reservation. Advance sales begin on 26 October.
Archive
Gäubahn: Construction work in Stuttgart impacts IC 87 in May 2026
Due to maintenance work in Stuttgart, the Panoramabahn line is completely closed at times. The IC 87 (Stuttgart–Horb–Singen–Zurich) will only run between Stuttgart-Vaihingen and Zurich in sections during May 2026; additional service gaps are possible on individual weekends.
Rail Baltica: CEF grant of €295.5 million signed (RB Rail AS)
The Rail Baltica project is getting a new boost: the project coordinator RB Rail AS has signed a CEF grant agreement with an EU contribution of €295.5 million – for construction and technical works in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
€18 billion for rail: EU-Rail calls for major modernization by 2034
Europe’s rail network needs to become more competitive. The EU-Rail innovation program is calling for a coordinated strategy and a record €18 billion investment volume for the coming years.
A 20% increase in on-board space, i.e. a possible offer of up to 740 seats
The TGV M (Avelia Horizon) is the next generation of French double-decker high-speed trains. According to Alstom, the design enables more space on board and a configuration with up to 740 seats – while optimizing efficiency per seat.
Coradia iLint travels 1,175 km without refueling (Alstom)
Alstom reports a record run: A near-production Coradia iLint hydrogen train covered 1,175 kilometers without refueling – a signal that emission-free operation on non-electrified lines is also possible with high daily mileage.
Massive general strike in Italy: Complete shutdown expected on 1 May
Anyone traveling in or to Italy today needs strong nerves. A nationwide general strike by several unions is expected to bring rail, air and ferry traffic across large parts of the country to a standstill on 1 May.