Baltic Sea rail connections face capacity limits

Regional rail services connecting Berlin to the Baltic Sea coast, specifically the RE3 line between Berlin and Stralsund, are reaching capacity limits during summer weekends. High demand from tourists, combined with a large number of passengers carrying bicycles, luggage, and strollers, has created significant congestion on the route. The Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg notes that the two-hour direct connection to Stralsund is particularly popular among excursionists.

While capacity increases are expected by the end of 2026, travelers are currently advised to seek alternatives. For those heading to Chorin or Angermünde, using RE3 trains from the direction of Schwedt is recommended to avoid the most crowded segments.

In the Usedom region, travelers face a choice between rail and car travel. While driving from Berlin takes approximately three hours, the Peene Bridge in Wolgast frequently causes traffic jams due to ship openings. Rail access to the island involves traveling via Züssow and transferring to the Usedomer Bäderbahn (UBB), which connects to destinations including the Kaiserbäder and Świnoujście, Poland.