Archive
Every rail news update we have published, newest first.
Travel abroad with the Deutschlandticket: These three routes are worth a short trip
The Deutschlandticket is valid not only in Germany – on certain regional routes you can also cross the border to Basel, Salzburg and Arnhem without a surcharge.
Tragic electric shock from railway overhead line: 19-year-old dies after climbing freight train in Munich-Trudering
What seemed like a harmless walk home ends in catastrophe for two friends at Munich-Trudering station. After climbing onto a parked tank car, one of them comes into contact with the 15,000-volt overhead line – with fatal consequences.
EVG threatens strike in regional rail: Law on attacks on train staff must come by year-end
The Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft (EVG) rail and transport union is stepping up pressure on the German federal government: If the announced draft law with harsher penalties for attacks on rail employees is not debated in the Bundestag by the end of 2026, works councils at DB Regio and private regional rail operators want to refuse approval of duty rosters in January.
EVG demands better protection for train conductors and threatens strike
Following the fatal attack on a train conductor, the EVG union sees the promised protective measures for rail staff being implemented only sluggishly. DB Regio works council chief Ralf Dampe demands protection "similar to that of the police and fire department" and does not rule out a strike.
Reserve ICE seats cheaper: Booking via České dráhy saves almost half
Those who reserve their ICE seat not directly with Deutsche Bahn but with the Czech provider České dráhy (ČD) pay around 3.10 euros instead of 5.50 euros (2nd class) or 6.90 euros (1st class), according to a Merkur report. The ticket itself remains a DB ticket – only the reservation runs via cd.cz.
Line closure between Offenburg and Lahr: Replacement buses on Sunday evening
Due to an emergency medical response, the railway line between Offenburg and Lahr (Schwarzw) has been closed since Sunday evening (23/08/2026). Deutsche Bahn expects disruption until at least 10 pm. Passengers should expect delays, partial cancellations and replacement buses.
Karlsruhe: VBK launches major construction sites during summer holidays – Lines 2, 4, 5 and S2 affected
From the end of July 2026, the Karlsruhe transport operator begins extensive modernization work on the rail network. Passengers must expect diversions, route changes and rail replacement services.
European Sleeper launches direct night train from Cologne and Brussels to Lake Como and Milan
From 9 September 2026, European Sleeper will connect Brussels and Cologne directly with Lake Como and Milan. Tickets in the shared Classic compartment start at 49.99 euros, in a private compartment at 179.99 euros. From 13 December 2026, Antwerp, Breda and Eindhoven will be added as further stops.
European Sleeper launches night train from Cologne and Brussels to Lake Como and Milan
From 9 September 2026, European Sleeper will connect Brussels and Cologne directly with Lake Como and Milan. From 13 December 2026, the night train will additionally stop in Antwerp, Breda and Eindhoven. Tickets in a shared Classic compartment are available from €49.99 per person and journey.
Commissioning of modernized Niedtalbahn stations postponed to August 30
The modernization of the Siersburg, Hemmersdorf (Saar) and Niedaltdorf stations along the Niedtalbahn is delayed: due to still-missing platform lighting, rail service cannot begin as planned on August 24. Rail replacement service will remain in place until at least August 30.
Cologne–Düsseldorf: Full closure from Friday evening – no trains for two weeks, S-Bahn for even three months
Deutsche Bahn is interrupting rail traffic between Köln-Mülheim and Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof from Friday, 21.08, 9 pm, until 04.09. The S-Bahn line will remain closed until 04.12. Long-distance, regional and S-Bahn trains will be diverted or replaced by buses.
Hannover S-Bahn: Buses replace trains on S1, S5, S21 and S51 until end of August
Construction work in Seelze and Stadthagen as well as a strained vehicle situation are causing significant restrictions on the Hannover S-Bahn. Several lines are cancelled all day, while replacement buses run in the evenings on other routes.
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.