Train chaos in July: Commuters have to switch to replacement buses!

Train chaos in July: Commuters have to switch to replacement buses!

The summer months bring a number of challenges for commuters in Schleswig-Holstein and beyond. Deutsche Bahn and Nordbahn in particular must expect significant restrictions due to extensive construction work on important routes in June and July 2025. As ndr.de reports, commuters from cities such as Hamburg, Lübeck and Neumünster are particularly affected.

The reasons for the disruption are extensive construction work, which extends, among other things, to the Hamburg – Lübeck railway line and several Northern Railway lines. The timetables can currently be found both in the Deutsche Bahn app and on the Nordbahn homepage. So anyone planning to travel should inform themselves in advance and consider diversions if necessary.

Important routes and departure changes

The restrictions on the connection between Hamburg and Neumünster are particularly significant. From June 30th to July 6th, trains will be canceled between 6:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m., but the RE 70 offers hourly alternatives. Later, from July 25th to August 4th, the trains will start and end in Hamburg-Altona. Travelers must also expect cancellations and replacement bus services on the Hamburg Hbf – Ahrensburg route on July 4th and 5th and between July 7th and 9th.

For the Nordbahn, from July 11th to 18th, the rail replacement service between Büsum and Heide is intended to support night owls on their journey to Neumünster. The RB 82, which runs from Bad Segeberg to Bad Oldesloe, also has to cope with changes. From Friday evening to Monday morning, numerous trains will be canceled, making travel planning even more difficult.

General renovation of the Hamburg-Berlin railway line

The general renovation of the Hamburg-Berlin railway line will begin on August 1, 2025 and is expected to last until April 30, 2026. Unfortunately, this will also have a noticeable impact on passengers in Schleswig-Holstein, especially from Kiel, Neumünster and Rendsburg. Planned outages are also planned for Eurocity connections from Kiel and Flensburg to Prague, as kn-online.de reports.

A particularly unpleasant detail for travelers: the RE 83, which runs from Kiel via Lübeck to Lüneburg, will be canceled between Mölln and Lauenburg. However, there will be buses as an alternative that will take travelers to Hamburg, where they can be connected to the rapid transit network.

Long-term construction sites and future outlook

These measures are just one part of a much larger plan. According to adac.de, Deutsche Bahn plans to close 42 important sections of the route for fundamental renovations by 2031. This will lead to further major construction sites, route closures and timetable changes that could last until the mid-2030s. There are already numerous construction sites for 2025, including in the Berlin hub and on the route between Hamburg and Lübeck, which we will have to keep an eye on in the coming years.

In the meantime, it is advisable for all travelers to remain flexible and inform themselves in good time about possible changes. The summer months are notoriously hectic, and with the current conditions, passengers need to ensure they travel well prepared for vacation or work.