Hamburg–Berlin Line Back in Full Operation After Ten Months of Renovation

The renovation was part of Deutsche Bahn's corridor program, under which around 40 particularly important routes in the German rail network are to be fundamentally renewed by 2036. DB infrastructure chief Philipp Nagl described the completion as a milestone, stating that with Hamburg–Berlin, the largest corridor renovation within the program planned through 2036 has now been completed. The Riedbahn between Mannheim and Frankfurt kicked off the program in the second half of 2024. Following the Hamburg corridor, four additional routes are still to undergo comprehensive renovation this year, including the sections Hagen–Wuppertal–Cologne, Nuremberg–Regensburg, Obertraubling–Passau, and Troisdorf–Wiesbaden. Construction work on the Obertraubling–Passau line already began on Sunday.

Why the Renovation Took Six Weeks Longer

Construction work between Hamburg and Berlin had begun last August. „Seit August 2025 wurde an der Strecke zwischen Berlin und Hamburg gebaut," reads Deutsche Bahn's announcement. The original plan was to put the line back into full operation on 30 April 2026. That did not happen: Because the winter this year was particularly severe, the work was delayed by around six weeks. Deutsche Bahn explained that the harsh winter and the frozen ground had exhausted the time buffer. Frost, snow, and ice had also temporarily delayed the work. The comprehensive renovation was therefore not completed until 14 June 2026, six and a half weeks after the originally targeted date.

The renovation was far-reaching in scope. In total, 165 kilometers of track were renewed and a further 61 kilometers of track were repaired, as Deutsche Bahn reported. In addition, there were 249 new switches, the new construction or modernization of 25 signal boxes, and the replacement of the overhead contact line over 25 kilometers, which was additionally renewed over a further 22 kilometers. At 28 stations along the route, the stations were modernized, and at several stations the platforms were extended so that longer trains can stop there. Restrooms and weather protection facilities were also renewed, and bicycle racks were installed. The condition of the route was rated by Deutsche Bahn before the renovation with a grade of 3.7; after completion of the work, the company expects an improvement to 2.3.

More Direct Connections, but Longer Travel Times for Now

With the reopening, the services in passenger traffic are also changing. The number of daily direct long-distance connections between Hamburg and Berlin – that is, ICE and Railjet lines – is growing from 38 to 52, according to Deutsche Bahn. Trains are once again running between the two major cities at thirty-minute intervals. The stations of Büchen in Schleswig-Holstein, Ludwigslust in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Wittenberge in Brandenburg will once again be served by long-distance trains; Wittenberge station had been ceremoniously reopened shortly before the line was released. The IC connections to the Baltic Sea are also back; the IC connection to Hamburg is to follow later, according to the company. Travel time on the Berlin–Dresden route is reduced by 40 minutes to three and a half hours, according to Deutsche Bahn.

During the months-long construction work, the line was completely closed to regional traffic. „Während der Fernverkehr über Stendal und Uelzen umgeleitet wurde, waren auf der Strecke monatelang keine Regionalbahnen unterwegs," Deutsche Bahn reported. According to earlier information, the diversion increased travel time in long-distance services by around 45 minutes. The rail replacement service with buses, in which more than 200 buses were temporarily involved, is being discontinued. The temporary international connections to Prague and Copenhagen are also being dropped. With the summer timetable change, the additional ICE stops in Salzwedel and Stendal that had been added during the diversions will be removed from the timetable.

Regional Traffic and Diversions in Retrospect

The offer in regional traffic is also returning to normal: S-Bahn trains are once again running regularly from Stendal to Wittenberge and regional trains to Salzwedel. „Außerdem sind jetzt wieder regelmäßiger S-Bahnen im Regionverkehr nach Wittenberge und Salzwedel unterwegs," Deutsche Bahn announced. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, trains are once again running continuously between Hagenow Land and Berlin-Spandau, although the new signaling technology on this section still needs to be approved. On individual sections, long-distance trains must still run more slowly until the end of June because technical systems are being tested. „Das sei wie auf der Straße. Wenn viele Autos unterwegs seien, werde langsamer gefahren," a Deutsche Bahn spokesperson explained regarding the longer travel times.

The scheduled ICE travel time between Berlin and Hamburg initially increases by two minutes to 107 minutes. However, this longer travel time applies only to the current timetable, according to Deutsche Bahn. Throughout the entire duration of the renovation, the condition of the line had regularly been the subject of political criticism. Hamburg's First Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) and several other Minister Presidents had complained in a sharp letter to Deutsche Bahn's corporate leadership about the delays. The passenger association Pro Bahn also expressed criticism. Its spokesperson Marcel Drews told NDR Info that one of the major mistakes had been „dass die Anforderung der Umleitungs- und Ausweichstrecken nicht ausreichend bei der Planung berücksichtigt wurde. Es hätte mehr Ausweichmöglichkeiten auf eingleisigen Zugstrecken geben müssen."

Criticism of Planning, ETCS, and Communication

Criticism was also directed at the lack of equipment on the line with the European train protection system ETCS. The digital control system, which is to be deployed uniformly throughout Europe in the future according to EU standards, makes it possible for trains to run more closely behind one another on a line. Deutsche Bahn stated that equipping the line with ETCS will not happen until the early 2030s; however, the prerequisites for later retrofitting have already been created. Passenger associations criticized this decision as a departure from the original planning.

To thank travelers for their patience, Deutsche Bahn intends to offer 100,000 discounted tickets for the direct Hamburg–Berlin connection during the current week. The reduced tickets can only be booked until Sunday, according to the company, and the journey itself is possible until 12 December 2026. In the first phase of the commissioning, however, delays remain possible, the company warned: „Bei einer Inbetriebnahme dieses Ausmaßes kann es anfänglich noch zu Anlaufschwierigkeiten kommen." Travelers were therefore asked to check departure times again before starting their journey. „Wir bitten daher alle Fahrgäste, sich vor die Reise nochmals über mögliche Abweichungen der Abfahrtszeiten zu informieren," a railway spokesperson said. According to the company, DB experts had worked intensively the night before on a stable operational start for the new week.

Next Corridors and New Construction Sites in the South

The platforms at the stations of Bergedorf, Nauen, and Falkensee are not yet fully barrier-free; until the new elevators go into operation, passengers with limited mobility can order on-call buses to barrier-free stations if needed. Deutsche Bahn estimates the total cost of the renovation at 2.2 billion euros, with additional costs to be expected in view of the delays. A final accounting is to take place only after the end of construction. DB Regio chief Harmen van Zijderveld stated that the company is aiming for a punctuality rate of more than 90 percent again in regional traffic; every completed comprehensive renovation makes the overall network more stable and has a positive effect on punctuality. CDU transport politician Björn Simon called for „verlässliche Zeitpläne und eine transparente Kommunikation" for the upcoming corridor renovations.

While travelers between Hamburg and Berlin are breathing a sigh of relief, passengers in the south of Saxony-Anhalt must prepare for new restrictions. „Im Süden Sachsen-Anhalts kommen aber neue Einschränkungen hinzu: Wegen Bauarbeiten an Weichen und Brücken wird der Zugverkehr rund um Naumburg weiter eingeschränkt," Deutsche Bahn announced. Since Friday evening, the city of Naumburg has initially no longer been directly connected to Weißenfels and Leipzig. Between Halle and Naumburg, trains have already not been running for several weeks.

The Hamburg–Berlin