Train cancellations and diversions: Commuters must plan for September 2025!

Train cancellations and diversions: Commuters must plan for September 2025!

In September 2025, traveling by train in Schleswig-Holstein will be a real challenge for commuters and travelers. As ndr.de reports, extensive construction work is on the agenda, which will lead to numerous train cancellations, rail replacement services and timetable changes. Deutsche Bahn and Nordbahn are affected by this and are making a name for themselves not only during the day, but increasingly at night as well. Anyone who relies on rail in the next few weeks must expect delays and diversions.

The routes affected are diverse and the key construction periods provide an overview of the challenges ahead. The route between Hamburg, Büchen and Berlin will be completely closed for long-distance traffic from August 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026. Long-distance trains are being rerouted and regional services are faced with rail replacement services using buses.

Details about the construction work

A closer look at the Northern Railway shows that individual trains are canceled between September 1st and 3rd, particularly between Wrist/Itzehoe and Hamburg (RB61, RB71). From September 4th, train operations will only reach Hamburg-Altona until September 25th, which poses a real challenge for travelers. The nights between September 8th and 22nd also bring problems, as there will be train cancellations due to night-time closures. Anyone who alternatively uses the route from Husum to Bad St. Peter-Ording (RB64) in the region should also switch to other means of transport between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. on September 12th and 13th, as all train connections are canceled.

• Kiel – Eckernförde – Flensburg (RE72, RB73):
  • 1. bis 4. September: Vollsperrung zwischen Eckernförde und Süderbrarup.
  • 5. und 6. September: Vollsperrung zwischen Kiel und Eckernförde/Flensburg.
  • 12. und 13. September: Nächtliche Sperrung zwischen Flensburg und Schleibrücke Nord.
  • 23. und 24. September: Vollsperrung zwischen Kiel und Eckernförde/Schleibrücke Süd.
  • 24. und 25. September: Sperrung zwischen Flensburg und Schleibrücke Nord.
• Kiel – Rendsburg – Husum (RE74, RB75):
  • 29. August bis 5. September: Alle Zugfahrten zwischen Husum und Schleswig fallen aus.
  • 2. und 3. September: Vollsperrung zwischen Kiel und Rendsburg/Husum.
  • 6. bis 7., 13. und 14., 20. und 21., 27. und 28. September: Nächtliche Ausfälle zwischen Kiel und Owschlag.

It is also not possible to guarantee that bicycles will be taken along on alternative transport, which makes traveling even more difficult. Travelers are advised to regularly check the Deutsche Bahn and Nordbahn homepages for current timetable changes. Deutsche Bahn's central contact point for traffic information offers many useful functions in this regard, such as the interactive disruption map, which shows current traffic disruptions and indicates delays with push notifications. If you use the train radar, you can even view the real-time positions of trains, which is a particularly good tool for commuters to avoid unnecessary waiting times.

Sustainability in rail transport

The background to these construction measures is not just the need for renovations. Climate change is making rail transport increasingly more attractive as an environmentally friendly means of transport. According to an evaluation by statista.com, shifting passenger and freight transport to rail is an essential step towards reducing CO₂ emissions.

The German federal government has decided on various measures to promote sustainable mobility, including reducing VAT for long-distance rail transport and increasing investments in rail transport. Despite all efforts, the investment backlog in the German rail network remains significant. Compared to other countries such as Switzerland and Austria, the per capita investment in rail infrastructure in this country is well below expectations.

These were the current challenges of rail transport in Schleswig-Holstein. Travelers should be well informed and prepare for the coming changes in order to reach their destination in a relaxed manner.