Hamburg‑Berlin rail corridor reopens after major renovation

On 14 June 2026 Deutsche Bahn announced that the Hamburg‑Berlin railway line is fully back in service after the completion of the large‑scale “generalsanierung”. The project, started in August 2025, was originally slated to finish in April 2026 but was delayed by six weeks because of a harsh winter and frozen ground. Roughly €2.2 billion was allocated for the works, which involved renewing 165 km of track, replacing 249 switches, installing new signalling, and modernising 28 stations.

The first long‑distance ICE departed Hamburg Hauptbahnhof at 05:36 a.m. with a slight delay. Trains now run on a half‑hourly schedule, cutting the journey time to under two hours (about 1 h 47 min). Daily direct services increased from 38 to 52 ICE/Railjet trains, and freight traffic has also resumed. Temporary speed restrictions and possible timetable adjustments will remain in place until the end of June while final acceptance tests are completed. Passengers were advised to check exact departure times as initial “teething problems” may occur.

German politicians criticised the lack of transparent planning and communication, calling for more reliable timelines for future corridor projects. The reopening restores a key north‑south link in Germany’s rail network, benefiting thousands of commuters and supporting regional mobility and economic activity.