Berlin’s S-Bahn network, a vital artery for the capital and Brandenburg, is set to undergo extensive construction and closures in 2026, leading to significant disruptions for passengers.
2026: A Challenging Year for Berlin Commuters
According to an article in the “Berliner Zeitung,” the Berlin Stadtbahn will become a major construction site between June 14 and December 12, 2026. During this period, long-distance and regional trains will be rerouted or operate only on partial routes. The work will involve renewing switches, tracks, and stations.
The S-Bahn itself will also be affected. Between Friedrichstraße and Tiergarten, there will be closures on three weekends: June 26-29, July 24-27, and July 31-August 3. These closures are necessary for work on bridges, a switch trapezoid, and joint transition structures at the main station.
Successive Construction Projects Across the Network
In the S-Bahn’s Nord-Süd-Tunnel (lines S1, S2, S25, S26), traffic will be interrupted during the first three weekends of February 2026. Additionally, no S-Bahn service will be possible between Gesundbrunnen and Schönholz from July 10 to August 17, due to bridge and track work. Line S7 will also experience restrictions, with the Westkreuz-Grunewald section completely closed from May 11 to May 20.
On the Ringbahn between Tempelhof and Treptower Park, trains will be suspended from March 30 to April 13. In Schöneweide, work on the electronic interlocking system will cause extended outages between Baumschulenweg and Altglienicke or Grünau at various times between January and August.
Impact on Regional and Long-Distance Services
The disruptions will extend beyond the S-Bahn. The RE7 will be replaced between Bad Belzig and Dessau from September 19 to November 20, and the RB60 will have rail replacement services from September 26 to December 12. The high-speed line between Berlin and Hanover will also undergo renovation, leading to cancellations or rerouting of ICE connections via Magdeburg from October 2 to December 12, 2026.
2026 is therefore expected to be another year of detours and replacement buses for rail travelers in the capital region, but also a significant step towards a modern rail network.
Source: https://www.berlin-live.de/berlin/verkehr/s-bahn-berlin-ausfaelle-2026-umstellen-muessen-fahrgaeste-id557329.html
