Gera loses direct long-distance rail connection to Erfurt

Gera, Thuringia's second-largest city, is losing its direct long-distance rail connection. Deutsche Bahn has announced that the last Intercity service between Gera and Erfurt will run on Sunday evening, with all Intercity and ICE services between Erfurt, Weimar, Jena, and Gera being discontinued as of Monday, September 21, 2026.

Deutsche Bahn cited low passenger demand for the decision. To maintain regional connectivity, additional Regionalexpress trains will operate between Gera and Erfurt. However, long-distance travelers will now be required to transfer to long-distance trains in Erfurt, a change that the passenger association Pro Bahn describes as a “noticeable deterioration” that could extend travel times by more than 20 minutes.

The discontinuation marks the end of a service that had been reintroduced in 2018 after a twelve-year hiatus. Previously, the connection allowed travelers to reach destinations such as North Rhine-Westphalia via Erfurt and Kassel without changing trains.