Quick takeThe line between Hanau and Wächtersbach will close from Friday, 3 July, 9 pm, to Monday, 6 July 2026, 5 am. Replacement buses will run for regional services and long-distance trains will be rerouted.
Deutsche Bahn will close the line between Hanau and Wächtersbach in both directions from Friday, 3 July, 9 pm, until Monday, 6 July 2026, 5 am. The closure is needed for construction work on the four-track expansion between Hanau and Gelnhausen.
Quick overview
The closure affects both regional and long-distance services in the Hanau-Gelnhausen corridor. Travellers in the Rhine-Main area should expect replacement buses, diversions and longer journey times that weekend.
Key points
- The closure applies in both directions from Friday, 3 July, 9 pm, until Monday, 6 July 2026, 5 am.
- Replacement buses will run for RE50 and RB51 as RE50E and RB51E.
- Long-distance trains will be rerouted during the works.
- Deutsche Bahn says replacement-service timetables should be available in journey planners from 26 June 2026.
- The construction focus is on Gelnhausen, Hailer-Meerholz and the section towards Wolfgang (Hanau).
What this means for travelers
Travellers should recheck their connections before departure and allow extra time. Deutsche Bahn explicitly notes that buses will take longer on the road and that bicycles usually cannot be carried on the replacement services.
Context
DB InfraGO is using the closure for several tasks at once: sheet piling to stabilise the embankment, foundations for new noise barriers, two new culverts under the rail embankment, overhead-line work, rail grinding and tamping at switches. The aim is to keep the four-track expansion moving while limiting disruption over the coming months.
What to watch now
- Allow extra buffer time for trips to major events in Frankfurt.
- Check replacement timetables and bus stopping points in digital journey planners.
- If you are travelling with a bicycle, look for alternatives in advance.