DB InfraGO has announced that rail service on the Hamburg–Berlin route will resume in full on June 14, following the completion of modernization work on one of Germany’s most important rail corridors. Regional trains will return to their normal schedule, the alternative bus service will be discontinued, and freight capacity will be fully restored.
The German rail infrastructure manager stated that the modernization of the Hamburg–Berlin corridor is nearing completion, and continuous service between the two major German cities will resume according to the announced schedule. Starting June 14, all regional connections will once again run according to the regular schedule.
Freight transport capacity between Hamburg and Berlin will also be fully restored, as will capacity on the access lines to the corridor. On part of the route, trains have already been running since May 15 between Hamburg and Hagenow Land/Schwerin.
The final section currently undergoing acceptance testing is the one between Hagenow Land and Berlin-Spandau, where checks are being conducted on the new signaling and control systems. Test runs for loading and acceptance are also taking place on this section, monitored by the experts responsible for technical verification.
Temporary adjustments for long-distance trains
Until these runs are fully completed, speed restrictions will be necessary on certain sections in the first few days after reopening. These will affect only long-distance trains.
For this reason, DB InfraGO, in coordination with long-distance transport operators, will preemptively adjust the schedules of these trains until June 30. The changes will be in the order of minutes to ensure stable service from the very first day of operation.
The company notes that all scheduled trains will run at full capacity. Passengers are advised to check for updated information in the DB Navigator app or on the Deutsche Bahn website before departure.
Major work on the track, switches, and signaling
The main infrastructure work on the corridor has been fully completed. As of August 1, 2025, DB InfraGO has modernized 165 kilometers of track, 249 sets of switches, seven new cross-track connections, 678 signals, and 25 platforms on the Hamburg–Berlin route.
In total, extensive modernization work has been carried out at 28 stations, with the aim of making them more attractive and functional for passengers.
The modernization of the Hamburg–Berlin corridor is part of Germany’s broader program of concentrated rehabilitation of major rail corridors. Through this approach, DB aims to reduce repetitive work and successive disruptions on the same routes by temporarily closing certain corridors entirely and modernizing them in a single comprehensive package.
Outstanding work at several stations
After the line reopens, DB InfraGO will continue some remaining work at several stations. The company explains that this work could not be completed on time due to weather-related restrictions earlier this year.
For this reason, the platforms at the stations Müssen, Nauen, Falkensee, and Albrechtshof will be temporarily inaccessible without barriers or will be only partially accessible.
At the stations in Nauen, Falkensee, and Albrechtshof, passengers with reduced mobility are asked to contact the mobility service center to find an individual solution to the nearest accessible station.
DB InfraGO states that it is working intensively to complete all remaining work as quickly as possible.
What the Hamburg–Berlin Modernization Involved
The Hamburg–Berlin corridor is one of the most important rail links in Germany. The line is approximately 280 kilometers long, crosses five federal states, and was used, prior to the closure for construction, by approximately 30,000 long-distance passengers per day, with a total of about 470 daily trains.
Work began on August 1, 2025, when the route was closed for modernization. The full reopening was initially scheduled for spring 2026, but DB subsequently announced a two-stage resumption of service: starting May 15 on the Hamburg–Hagenow Land/Schwerin section and starting June 14 on the entire route to Berlin.
During the closure, long-distance trains were rerouted, which led to increased travel times. According to German media, travel times were extended by an average of approximately 45 minutes, and service on the Hamburg–Berlin route was reduced during the construction period.
Share on:
