Germany rail closures: Hamburg and Lübeck services disrupted in 2026

Major railway construction projects in northern Germany will cause significant service disruptions in late 2026. Due to work on the Norderelbe Bridge, all train services between Hamburg Hauptbahnhof and Hamburg-Harburg will be suspended from October 26 to November 22, 2026. During this period, passengers are advised to use the S-Bahn, as no replacement bus service will be provided for these specific lines.

Additionally, the track between Lübeck and Büchen will be closed until December 12, 2026, to upgrade the route as a diversionary line for future corridor renovations. A replacement bus service will operate between Büchen and Lübeck, while connections between Büchen and Lüneburg will remain active on an hourly basis via Lauenburg, Echem, and Adendorf.