Archive
Every rail news update we have published, newest first.
Bad news for rail travelers: Karlsruhe becomes a major construction site – ICE line 60 cancelled entirely
Due to extensive track, cable and bridge works between Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof and Weingarten as well as Wilferdingen-Singen, there will be massive restrictions in regional and long-distance services from August 29 to September 11. Numerous ICE and IC lines are cancelled, rerouted or no longer stop in Karlsruhe.
Steffen Bilger speaks about rail bonuses on Maischberger
The Federal Ministry of Transport has published a video of Steffen Bilger's appearance on the talk show Maischberger. The topic was bonuses at the railway – the source text provides no further content details.
Construction site at Bremen Steintor causes hazards at tram stops until August 2027
Since the beginning of the year, the sidewalk on Steintor between Ritterstraße and Sielwall has been closed – residents complain about a lack of information and a strained traffic situation that extends to the Sielwall stop.
Nuremberg–Neumarkt rail line reopened: Car-free trips to the Altmühltal possible
After months of closure, S-Bahn and regional trains have been running again between Nuremberg and Neumarkt since the beginning of August. Hiking destinations in the Altmühltal Nature Park are now reachable from Nuremberg Hauptbahnhof in just over an hour – combined with the leisure bus 515.
Deutsche Bahn and PayPal: 5 percent cashback on tickets until September 13, 2026
Travelers receive a credit in PayPal points when buying tickets via bahn.de since August 17, 2026. The promotion is limited to 250,000 customers with a German PayPal account.
Reserve ICE seats cheaper: The ČD trick saves up to €3.80 per booking
Those who book their seat reservation in ICE trains not through Deutsche Bahn but through the Czech provider České dráhy (ČD) pay only around €3.10 instead of €5.50 (2nd class) or €6.90 (1st class), according to a report. The ticket itself is still purchased via DB.
Freight rail line construction: A5 between Freiburg-Nord and Teningen with new traffic layout from 22 August 2026 – until March 2027
Deutsche Bahn is building a new freight rail line between Offenburg and Müllheim and renewing bridges over the A5. From 22 August 2026, all four lanes will be routed over the carriageway toward Basel – the new traffic layout is expected to last until March 2027.
Deutsche Bahn and PayPal launch 5% cashback on ticket bookings via bahn.de
From August 17, 2026, rail travelers in Germany will receive 5 percent cashback in PayPal points on ticket purchases via bahn.de. The promotion runs until September 13, 2026 and is limited to 250,000 participants and 5 euros per account.
New traffic routing on the A5 from 22 August: DB builds bridges for the Karlsruhe–Basel freight rail line
From 22 August 2026, all four lanes on the A5 between the Teningen and Freiburg-Nord junctions will be routed over the carriageway towards Basel. DB is building new bridges there for the freight rail line – expected to last until March 2027.
Rüdesheim: Cyclists simply forgotten during rail closure – DB has bikes carried up stairs
During corridor renovation on the right Rhine corridor, Deutsche Bahn closed a level crossing in Rüdesheim – without a functioning detour for cyclists. The makeshift solution: two helpers carrying bikes up a steep staircase.
CSU politician Holz sends angry letter to Deutsche Bahn – "Enough is enough" in the Werdenfels network
Due to ongoing disruptions on the Werdenfelsbahn and the S7, state legislator Thomas Holz (CSU) has written a six-page letter to the DB group's leadership. He is demanding substantive answers rather than references to complex operating procedures.
Infrastructure damage between Kassel Hbf and Obervellmar: Trains run more slowly – full closure in October
Damage to the rail infrastructure is causing delays on lines RT1 and RT4 between Kassel Hauptbahnhof and Obervellmar. DB is combining the repairs with an already planned closure in October.
Saarbahn: 17th GDL strike looms on Monday – weekend warning strikes called off at short notice
The German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) has withdrawn at short notice the warning strikes at Saarbahn that had been announced for Saturday and Sunday. The S1 line services subsequently ran as scheduled, but for Monday, 17 August 2026, the GDL is keeping open the option of further industrial action.
Deutsche Bahn kept 800,000 water packs ready for heat emergencies in long-distance trains
During the heat months of June and July 2026, Deutsche Bahn had around 800,000 Tetra Paks of water as an emergency supply in its long-distance trains. According to Deutsche Bahn, there was no wave of cancellations following the heat goodwill policy.
Deutschlandticket valid cross-border: These international destinations you can reach without surcharge
The Deutschlandticket covers not only German local transport. On certain routes, it also takes you directly to Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands – at no extra cost.
Bike carriers instead of ramps: DB InfraGo has bikes carried up stairs because cyclists were left out of planning for the Rhine line closure
During the two-week closure of a level crossing in Rüdesheim, Deutsche Bahn apparently failed to consider cyclists. Instead of a barrier-free detour, helpers had to carry bicycles up a steep staircase – the ADFC is calling for systematic changes.
Operation Laim: Munich's S-Bahn main line partially closed from August 25 – special timetables for seven lines
From Monday evening (August 17), Deutsche Bahn begins the second construction phase at Laim station. Until at least mid-2028, the S3, S4, S6 and S8 will no longer stop in the city-bound direction. From August 17 to 25, the main line will also be partially closed with special timetables for all lines.
Weeks of IC cancellations between Stuttgart and Nuremberg: Rail repairs heat-damaged tracks until end of August
Due to heat-related track damage, several stops on the IC route between Stuttgart and Nuremberg are cancelled for weeks. Deutsche Bahn is working to clear the disruption – travelers should expect rescheduling and delays.
Deutsche Bahn adjusts refurbishment strategy: Routes to be reopened in stages
DB CEO Evelyn Palla is adapting the modernization program: refurbished sections are to go into service in stages going forward – with a particular focus on control and safety technology as well as ETCS preparation. At the same time, key projects such as Hamburg–Berlin are being delayed.
Bridge works between Magdeburg and Halberstadt: Rail replacement service until end of September
Due to bridge works in Groß Quenstedt, the Dodendorf–Halberstadt section has been closed to rail traffic since 11 August 2026. Deutsche Bahn is setting up a rail replacement service with buses and asks passengers for patience.
Deutsche Bahn launches "DB Junior Express": Supervised travel for children on selected ICE trains
From 21 August 2026, Deutsche Bahn will offer a new service for unaccompanied children aged 6 to 14 on selected ICE trains: the "DB Junior Express". Specially trained pedagogical staff will accompany the children throughout the entire journey – including handover at the departure and arrival station.
Saarbahn strike reaches new peak: GDL to halt trains again from Tuesday
In the collective bargaining dispute over an independent locomotive engineers' agreement at Saarbahn, the GDL is continuing its rolling strike. From Tuesday, 11 August, 7 a.m., trains on the Lebach–Sarreguemines line will come to a standstill – with no end in sight. A strike notice has also already been issued for Wednesday.
DB closes level crossing in Rüdesheim – cyclists directed to steep stairs
During the corridor renovation of the right Rhine line, Deutsche Bahn has closed the level crossing on the B42 in Rüdesheim. For cyclists, the only detour was a steep, narrow staircase – two helpers carried bikes up and down.
Niedtalbahn: Commissioning of modernized stations postponed to 24 August 2026
Deutsche Bahn (DB InfraGO) is renovating the Siersburg, Hemmersdorf and Niedaltdorf traffic stations on the Niedtalbahn. Weather, planning adjustments and additional civil engineering works are delaying completion – rail service will now start on 24 August 2026, with replacement bus service continuing until then.