Latest Rail News for Travelers
Fresh updates on German rail travel, Deutschlandticket, strikes, and timetable changes. Written for travelers, not insiders.
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S7 closed between Icking and Wolfratshausen: Buses replace trains due to slope stabilization work
Due to slope stabilization work, the Munich S7 line between Icking and Wolfratshausen will be fully closed from 12 August to 18 September 2026. S-Bahn München is setting up a replacement bus service at 20-minute intervals and deploying additional extra buses during the first week of school.
Deutsche Bahn blows up 540-tonne bridge in Hamburg-Altona for new Diebsteich long-distance station
In Hamburg-Altona, Deutsche Bahn detonated the 540-tonne Langenfelde crossing structure on Saturday afternoon. The roughly 100-year-old bridge near the Diebsteich S-Bahn station made way for one of the Hanseatic city's largest rail projects: the relocation of the Altona long-distance station to the Diebsteich site.
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Deutsche Bahn yields on Brenner North Approach: Saalach Tunnel to be nearly twice as long – Grafing secures partial successes on noise protection
Deutsche Bahn's preliminary planning for the Brenner North Approach on Grafing's territory is complete. The city achieves a significantly extended Saalach Tunnel and voluntary noise protection in Nettelkofen – but is calling for further measures.
Munich S-Bahn core line shut down due to switch works in Pasing
From Friday evening until Monday morning, only the S6 will run on the Munich S-Bahn core line. Due to switch construction works in Pasing, most lines will be diverted, reduced or replaced by buses. Further construction phases will follow in August and September.
S-Bahn chaos in Munich: Switch works in Pasing paralyze several lines over the weekend
From Friday evening to Monday morning (24–27 July 2026), there will be massive restrictions in the Munich S-Bahn network at Pasing station. The S3, S4, S5 and S8 lines are mainly affected – replacement buses and diversions are required.
Eighth strike at Saarbahn: GDL halts operations from Wednesday – replacement buses from Thursday
The GDL union has called on Saarbahn employees to strike again from Wednesday afternoon (22 July, 12 p.m.). From Thursday morning (4 a.m.), Saarbahn will set up rail replacement service with buses, which is expected to run until Sunday (26 July).
Deutsche Bahn plans blanket alcohol ban at stations – SBB sticks to existing rules
By 15 October, Deutsche Bahn wants to ban alcohol consumption on platforms and in station concourses at all 5,400 stations in Germany. The trigger was an incident in which a DB security employee fell from a moving train. Swiss operator SBB, by contrast, will not introduce a general ban.
Pro Bahn Hessen demands binding public transport expansion plan following transport transition ruling
Following the ruling on the "Verkehrswende in Hessen" (Transport Transition in Hesse), Pro Bahn is increasing pressure on the state government: instead of general announcements, the passenger association is demanding a concrete implementation plan with denser intervals, better connections and reactivation of rail lines.
Magdeburg–Stendal rail line: trains running again, but slower than expected
The expected end of construction work on the Magdeburg–Stendal line, anticipated since Friday, is being delayed. Trains are rolling again but must continue to run at reduced speed – passengers will need patience.
Deutsche Bahn announces nationwide alcohol ban at all 5,400 train stations
Deutsche Bahn wants to ban the consumption of beer, wine and spirits on platforms and in station concourses nationwide by mid-October 2026. Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla spoke of tougher crackdowns for more order and safety.
Italo comes to Germany in 2028: 26 high-speed trains to challenge Deutsche Bahn's ICE fleet
Italian private rail operator Italo Holding signed a contract in Munich with Siemens Mobility for 26 Velaro high-speed trains along with 30 years of maintenance. From mid-2028, Italo plans to disrupt DB long-distance services on two routes with 50 daily connections and 18 stops.
Deutsche Bahn closes Pfaffenwinkelbahn between Weilheim and Peißenberg – rail replacement service until mid-December
Rail commuters in the Oberland must expect months of restrictions starting today: Deutsche Bahn is renovating tracks and the railway embankment on the Pfaffenwinkelbahn. Between Weilheim and Peißenberg, no trains will run until mid-December; passengers will be transported by bus.
Signal fault between Wuppertal and Cologne: Commuter route disrupted since Sunday evening
A defective signal has been causing delays and cancellations on the Wuppertal Hbf – Wuppertal-Oberbarmen section since Sunday evening (8 pm). The affected services are the Regional-Express lines RE4, RE7, RE13 as well as RB48; RE7 and RB48 also connect Cologne.
Deutsche Bahn presents three-phase plan through 2035: corridor renewal, ETCS expansion and more stable long-distance services
Deutsche Bahn has unveiled its DB 2035 strategy. By the 200th anniversary of the railway in Germany, infrastructure is to be renewed, operations stabilized and the travel experience improved – in three clearly defined phases.
Criticism of Deutsche Bahn: Mother complains about lack of comfort for parents with strollers
A mother draws attention on the platform Threads to cramped conditions in the multi-purpose compartment of Deutsche Bahn and demands more comfort for parents with strollers. The elimination of the free family reservation also causes discontent.
First hydrogen train for Bavaria's regular service presented: From December 2026 on Mühldorf–Burghausen
Südostbayernbahn and Siemens Mobility presented the Siemens Mireo Plus H in Mühldorf on 17 July 2026. After test runs, emissions-free train operation is to start from December 2026.
Hydrogen train Mireo Plus H in service on Mühldorf–Burghausen line from December 2026
Südostbayernbahn and Siemens Mobility have presented the first hydrogen train for regular operation in Bavaria. After test runs starting immediately, operation with three vehicles is set to begin from December 2026.
Japan's Oigawa Railway converts the Ikawa Line entirely to tourism – flat fare of 3,500 yen
Since 1 July 2026, Oigawa Railway has been marketing its historic Ikawa Line in Shizuoka exclusively as a tourist product. Instead of distance-based fares, a ride now costs a flat 3,500 yen per adult – including Japan's only Abt rack railway in regular service.
Commentary: Stuttgarter Nachrichten call for stronger government action at Deutsche Bahn
In a commentary, the Stuttgarter Nachrichten criticize the lack of improvement in rail services and call on the federal government to take action. The trigger was the presentation of a new customer communication program by DB CEO Evelyn Palla and Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU).
S5 between Aying and Kreuzstraße: Roughly three months of closure due to a new bridge in Großhelfendorf
From late July to mid-October, no S-Bahn trains will run on the S5 between Aying and Kreuzstraße. The reason is a new road bridge in Großhelfendorf that replaces a failure-prone level crossing. Passengers should prepare for bus replacement service.
DB and HessenForst launch unique forest edge partnership on Frankfurt–Mannheim new line
DB InfraGO and HessenForst are developing climate-stable forest edges across around 90 hectares in the Darmstadt state forest – as compensation for the Frankfurt–Mannheim new line and as a model for all of Hesse.
Munich S-Bahn: Replacement service on the S5 between Aying and Kreuzstraße – construction work in Großhelfendorf from 24 July
DB InfraGO is building a new road bridge in Großhelfendorf and renewing the level crossing at Göggenhofener Weg. From 24 July to 16 October, buses will replace S-Bahn trains on the S5 between Aying and Kreuzstraße.
Munich S-Bahn: Switch renewal in Pasing causes timetable restrictions and replacement service on the S3 from 24 to 27 July
DB InfraGO is renewing 23 switches, 900 sleepers and 800 tons of ballast in the Pasing area. The first of three construction phases, from Friday, 24 July, 9:50 pm, until Monday, 27 July, 5 am, leads to a limited service on the trunk line and replacement service on the S3.
Deutsche Bahn consolidates communications: Five agencies to handle brand, products, social media and PR going forward
Deutsche Bahn is restructuring its agency pool. Following an EU-wide tender with 35 applicants, the group has awarded four lots to five agencies. Jung von Matt is new on board, while Ogilvy, Serviceplan, GUD and fischerAppelt remain – with clearer roles and a long-term orientation running until at least 2029.
After the general refurbishment of the Cologne–Wuppertal–Hagen line: rail traffic remains heavily disrupted by bridge damage and follow-up works
The general refurbishment of the 65-kilometer Cologne–Wuppertal–Hagen line, which has been running since the beginning of February, has been completed, but on the first working day numerous trains are cancelled again. A dilapidated bridge discovered near Opladen forces a single-track clearance; in parallel, S-Bahn tracks remain closed until early September.
Ringbahn in Berlin-Westend fully passable again – new bridge construction over S-Bahn and mainline tracks completed
After a closure since Friday noon, the S41 and S42 trains are running again between Westend and Halensee. The construction of the new A100 bridge over the Ringbahn tracks in Berlin-Charlottenburg is largely completed.
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Gäubahn: construction in Stuttgart affects IC 87 in May 2026
Due to maintenance work in Stuttgart, the Panoramabahn is temporarily fully closed. The IC line 87 (Stuttgart–Horb–Singen–Zürich) will run in parts of May 2026 only between Stuttgart-Vaihingen and Zurich, with additional service gaps on some weekends.
Rail Baltica: €295.5m CEF grant agreement signed (RB Rail AS)
The Rail Baltica project gains momentum: 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.
TGV M: up to 740 seats and more space on board (Alstom)
The TGV M (Avelia Horizon) is the next generation of French double-deck high-speed trains. According to Alstom, the design provides more space on board and can be configured with up to 740 seats, while improving efficiency per seat.
Coradia iLint travels 1,175 km without refuelling (Alstom)
Alstom reports a record run: a near-series Coradia iLint hydrogen train covered 1,175 kilometres without refuelling—signalling that zero-emission operations on non-electrified lines can also achieve high daily mileage.
Major General Strike in Italy: Near-total shutdown expected on May 1
Anyone traveling in or to Italy today needs patience. A nationwide general strike by several unions is disrupting rail, air and ferry services across large parts of the country on May 1.