Status: Berlin and Hamburg are the two largest cities of Germany. Normally the train connection is every 30 minutes an ICE or other long-distance train with a travel time of appr. 2 hours between the main stations.
Plan: from August 1, 2025 until April 30, 2026 Deutsche Bahn will close the direct route between Berlin and Hamburg completely for 9 months with several impacts for train travelers. Reason for the construction work: General restoration of the Hamburg - Berlin high-speed corridor.
Key take-aways for travelers:
- Connection offering between Berlin and Hamburg will be reduced to one train per hour, re-routed via Stendal and the journey time will increase to 2:45 to 3 hours. So not a day trip option for the nine months (see illustration).
- No ICE trains between Hamburg and Schwerin, Rostock and Rügen.
- Schwerin, Rostock and Stralsund will be served by 2, partly 3 daily IC connections routed via Lübeck. Traverlers to Schwerin will need to switch trains in Bad Kleinen.
- Ludwigslust and Wittenberge can only reached by bus replacement services.
- Link to DB detail page in German language
- Link to an article of regional public media NDR in German language.
Recommendation: Train travelers shall use the DB journey planner or the app which contain the changes and schedules.
Alternatives: Buses such as Flixbus and also rental cars can be alternative travel options - Autobahn A24 is in widely good condition and with only a few speed limits.
Have good and safe journeys.