As reported by RailwayPro, Hamburg–Berlin line reopening will take place in two phases following Deutsche Bahn’s corridor modernisation programme. Train operations on the northern section of the route, between Hamburg and Hagenow Land, are due to resume on 15 May.

Hamburg–Berlin line reopening starts on May 15
Hamburg–Berlin line reopening starts on May 15

In addition, services from Hamburg towards Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will return to their regular timetable once that section reopens. The full reopening of the Hamburg–Berlin line remains scheduled for this summer.

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“The unusually severe and prolonged winter in northern Germany has used up all our planned time buffers. However, together with the companies involved, we have done everything possible to make up for the delays. Unfortunately, despite the tremendous efforts of everyone involved, we have not been entirely successful. The two-stage commissioning concept allows the continuation of construction works on adjacent lines, which remain urgently necessary,” said Gerd-Dietrich Bolte, Member of the Management Board for Infrastructure Planning and Projects at DB InfraGO.

From early January, persistent frost and almost continuous snow slowed construction progress. Meanwhile, DB InfraGO and the construction companies increased staffing levels on site when milder weather arrived. Over the coming weeks, the remaining work includes:

  • final installation of signalling and safety systems
  • overhead lines
  • a software update at the control centre in Schwerin
  • extensive works at stations

Hamburg–Berlin line reopening timetable

The second phase will start on 14 June. At that point, traffic is set to resume along the entire corridor between Hamburg and Berlin. Also, all long-distance, regional and freight trains will return to their regular routes.

Passenger services will be more extensive than before. For example, FlixTrain will operate every two hours. Existing ICE services will continue to run every half hour.

Separately, DB InfraGO is now working with railway companies to incorporate the final commissioning concept into timetables as quickly as possible. At the same time, passengers and freight customers will benefit from modernised and reliable infrastructure. They will also benefit from more punctual trains. In addition, at least five years without major construction works are expected.

Corridor modernisation on the Hamburg–Berlin rail line

As Deutsche Bahn notes, the corridor modernisation project covers 165 kilometres of track and nearly 250 points. It has delivered six new crossover points. Also, it has delivered six new signalling installations. In addition, a further 19 have been modernised.

Also, 28 stations along the route have been upgraded. Some of them were upgraded extensively. In addition, these improvements will make it possible to increase rail traffic on the route compared with before.

DB InfraGO is also upgrading signalling and safety systems. Meanwhile, axle-counting technology is being prepared for the future deployment of the European Train Control System (ETCS). The commissioning of the remaining signalling components still has to be completed. This is particularly the case on the approaches to the Hamburg and Berlin hubs. Still, these works will not affect scheduled journey times. Once finished, they will also allow for additional timetable buffer time.

Traffic levels and route importance

The line linking Hamburg and Berlin is 278 km long. It is the busiest direct rail connection in the country. Also, around 470 trains use it each day. These include 110 long-distance services, 270 regional trains and 90 freight trains.

Since August 2025, as previously reported by RailwayPro, Deutsche Bahn has been carrying out the modernisation works. At the same time, traffic on the route has been fully suspended.

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