Berlin City Rail Construction: What Passengers Need to Know from June 14 to December 12
From June 14 to December 12, 2026, extensive construction work on the Berlin City Rail (Stadtbahn) will cause significant disruptions for rail passengers. The construction, primarily affecting long-distance and regional train tracks between Charlottenburg and Ostbahnhof, will lead to detours, cancellations, and alternative stops. S-Bahn services will largely remain unaffected, with exceptions on three weekends and a few evenings.
The German railway company (Deutsche Bahn) has announced that the works are scheduled to last until December 12. Passengers should prepare for longer travel times and fewer direct connections, especially in long-distance traffic.
What is Being Built?
The primary goal of the construction is to modernize and expand central sections of the highly frequented East-West connection. Key aspects of the project include:
- Berlin Hauptbahnhof: Installation of a new point trapezoid (Weichentrapez) to allow trains more flexible track changes and quicker responses to disruptions, aiming for a more stable network.
- Ostbahnhof: Renewal of switches.
- Along the Route: Track and fastening maintenance, modernization of bridge transitions, overhead line work, and fire protection measures on station roofs.
Impact on Long-Distance Traffic (Fernverkehr)
Most long-distance trains will stop at the lower level of Berlin Hauptbahnhof during the construction period. Alternative stops will be set up for the usual stops at Ostbahnhof or Bahnhof Zoo, including Südkreuz, Gesundbrunnen, Ostkreuz, Charlottenburg, and Lichtenberg.
Several important ICE lines are affected:
- ICE trains Berlin-Düsseldorf/Cologne: Operate to/from Südkreuz via Hauptbahnhof (lower level).
- Intercity trains Dresden-Berlin-Rostock: Rerouted via Ostkreuz.
- Connections to Frankfurt and North Rhine-Westphalia: Partially start and end in Charlottenburg.
- Trains to Hamburg: Cannot stop in Spandau.
- Eurocity connections to Poland: Rerouted via Gesundbrunnen from the end of August.
Impact on Regional Traffic (Regionalverkehr)
June 14 to October 1: City Rail Closure between Charlottenburg and Ostbahnhof
- RE1: Cancellation of all services between Charlottenburg and Ostbahnhof, as well as the booster train during peak hours from Erkner to Charlottenburg.
- RE2: Rerouted from Spandau via Gesundbrunnen, Ostkreuz (upper level) to Königs Wusterhausen and then normally to Cottbus.
- RE4: RE4 and RB14 will be routed through Spandau. RE4 trains from Berlin Hauptbahnhof will change their line number to RB14 in Spandau and continue to Nauen without transfer. RE4 will be cancelled between Spandau and Stendal Hauptbahnhof from October 2.
- RE6: Unchanged to Charlottenburg.
- RE7: Cancellation between Charlottenburg and Ostbahnhof.
- RB10: Cancellation of all services (except individual services Nauen – Berlin Hauptbahnhof between 0:00 and 4:00).
- RB14: Cancellation between Charlottenburg and Ostbahnhof.
- RB21: Rerouted from Spandau to Charlottenburg, cancellation between Spandau and Gesundbrunnen.
- RB23: Cancellation between Ostbahnhof and Potsdam Griebnitzsee.
October 2 to December 12: Continued City Rail Closure and Extensive Construction between Berlin and Lehrte
- RE1: Cancellation of all services between Charlottenburg and Ostbahnhof, as well as the booster train during peak hours from Erkner to Charlottenburg.
- RE2: Rerouted from Spandau via Gesundbrunnen, Ostkreuz (upper level) to Königs Wusterhausen and then normally to Cottbus.
- RE4: Cancellation between Spandau and Stendal.
- RE6: Cancellation between Hennigsdorf and Charlottenburg (replaced by RB21).
- RE7: Cancellation between Charlottenburg and Ostbahnhof.
- RB10: Resumes service between Nauen <> Rangsdorf.
- RB14: Cancellation between Spandau and Ostbahnhof.
- RB21: New route: Priort – Golm – Potsdam Hauptbahnhof – Wannsee – Charlottenburg – Spandau – Falkensee – Hennigsdorf, with all stops between Priort and Charlottenburg, and RE6 stops between Charlottenburg and Hennigsdorf.
- RB23: Complete cancellation between Ostbahnhof and Golm (replaced by RB21).
S-Bahn Services
The S-Bahn is generally not affected, except for three weekends (June 26-29, July 24-27, July 31-August 3) and a few evenings. During these times, replacement bus services will be provided.
Planning Your Journey
Passengers are strongly advised to check current timetables and plan their journeys in advance using the Deutsche Bahn website or travel apps. Information regarding specific detours and replacement services will be updated regularly.
Contact and Information:
- Deutsche Bahn Customer Service: For detailed information on specific connections.
- Online Timetables: Check the official Deutsche Bahn website for updated schedules.
Source: https://www.morgenpost.de/berlin/article411784499/monatelange-bauarbeiten-auf-der-berliner-stadtbahn-so-werden-die-zuege-umgeleitet.html
