Train chaos between Munich and Salzburg: Travelers wait hours!

Train chaos between Munich and Salzburg: Travelers wait hours!

Travelers between Munich and Salzburg are currently experiencing a rather unpleasant time. Due to unforeseen delays in construction work between Rosenheim and Freilassing, numerous trains are delayed or canceled altogether. A railway spokeswoman confirmed that these restrictions massively affect both regional and long-distance transport. Some passengers even reported waiting times of almost three hours, leaving many stranded at the train station in Salzburg. People stood tightly packed on the platforms, waiting for some hope to reach their destination. It is sometimes possible to take the S-Bahn to Freilassing and use regional trains there, but this also has its pitfalls.

The route between Rosenheim and Freilassing is currently fully passable apart from a short single-track section, but the backlog continues to cause significant delays. According to traffic reports, delays of up to 120 minutes can be expected at times for ÖBB, while Deutsche Bahn reports delays of around 20 minutes. A further challenge is the construction work towards Austria announced in the first half of August, which will not make the situation any easier. The existing construction sites on the Rosenheim – Munich route with the renewal of overhead lines and rails are contributing their part to the current misery.

Current traffic situation and expectations

Despite the adversities, constant updating of traffic reports for long-distance and regional transport is good news. Daily updates help travelers stay up to date. If you need the relevant information, you should consult the official websites of Deutsche Bahn and the S-Bahn operators so as not to experience any unpleasant surprises, according to bahndampf.de. bahndampf.de reports.

The inconvenience is a sign of the current developments in rail transport. In 2023, very high passenger numbers were achieved in Germany and other EU countries, which shows that rail is once again popular. After a massive decline in the pandemic year 2020, the number of passenger kilometers almost doubled by 2023. Germany has the highest passenger numbers, followed by France, Italy, Spain and Poland. A huge increase in rail passengers has been seen in some countries, such as Ireland and Croatia, while Greece has seen a decline. destatis.de informed.

Rights of travelers

But what happens if you are affected by these delays? Travelers should be aware of their rights. If the delay is 60 minutes or more, there will be a refund of 25% of the ticket price; with a delay of 120 minutes it is already 50%. These regulations apply not only to single tickets, but also to season tickets. Alternative options for reimbursement of taxi and hotel costs are also offered in the event of delays in the early hours of the morning. Anyone who trusts in the rail network should therefore also insist on the corresponding compensation regulations. bahndampf.de provides further helpful tips.

The coming days could be challenging for travelers and commuters. It remains to be hoped that the construction work will be completed quickly and smoothly so that the usual mobility can be restored soon.