The Troisdorf – Wiesbaden corridor renovation will close the railway line completely from 10 July to 12 December 2026. Long-distance trains will be diverted around the affected section, while regional passengers will use an extensive network of replacement buses to complete their journeys.

Railway maintenance machine working on track during corridor renewal
Official project image illustrating track renewal work associated with the Troisdorf – Wiesbaden corridor renovation. Photo: Deutsche Bahn AG / Oliver Lang

Information on replacement services and revised journey times will be displayed at all affected stations before construction begins. Details of how to reach the replacement bus stops are available at bahnhof.de/en.

Passengers can check bus routes and departure times through bahn.de/en, the DB Navigator app, local public transport applications and the websites of the relevant transport associations. A ⁠route network map and replacement transport overview will also provide details of the connections available during the closure.

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Changes to regional and long-distance services

Regional passenger services will be suspended for the full construction period. The disruption will affect regional rail lines on both sides of the Rhine, together with further services in North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland.

Long-distance services on the left-bank Rhine route will also be reduced to make capacity available for freight trains diverted from the closed corridor. The revised schedules are already included in Deutsche Bahn’s electronic timetable information. Travellers can check connections and book their journeys in advance through bahn.de/en or the DB Navigator app.

Works planned on the Troisdorf – Wiesbaden railway line

The 160 km route between Troisdorf in North Rhine-Westphalia and Wiesbaden in Hesse is part of the freight corridor linking Rotterdam and Genoa. The programme includes the ⁠renewal of tracks, switches, overhead lines and bridges, while 36 stations will also be modernised and upgraded.

The renovation can also accelerate the expansion of the S13 between Troisdorf and Bonn-Beuel by two years.

Replacement bus services and passenger information

All replacement bus services will be shown through the usual travel-information channels, including bahn.de/en, DB Navigator and the applications of regional transport associations. Departure timetables will also be available at the bus stops used by the replacement network.

Replacement bus stops will generally be located outside railway stations. In some cases, they will be placed at another convenient central location to reduce bus journey times. The stops will be clearly marked, with signs directing passengers from the station. Maps on platform notice boards will show the walking routes to the relevant bus stops.

Passengers must have a valid ticket before boarding. Regional replacement buses will accept valid local public transport tickets, including the Deutschlandticket. Tickets can be purchased through the apps, websites, ticket offices and ticket machines of participating transport associations and rail companies, including DB Navigator and bahn.de/en. The same ticket will be valid on the replacement bus instead of the train, but tickets cannot be purchased on board.

The regional replacement buses will be completely purple and will carry the words “Ersatzverkehr Replacement Service” on their sides. They will also display the replacement-service symbol, while digital signs on the front and side will show the route number and destination.

Troisdorf – Wiesbaden Corridor Renovation Begins
Photo: generalsanierung.db

What will change for passengers?

The replacement transport plan includes two express bus routes for direct journeys: Wiesbaden–Rüdesheim–Koblenz and Koblenz–Bad Honnef–Bonn-Ramersdorf–Troisdorf. Selected Rhine ferries will also form part of the network, giving passengers another way to cross the river and connect with trains operating on the left bank. Valid local public transport tickets, including the Deutschlandticket, can be used on the participating ferries, subject to the respective operators’ conditions of carriage. (⁠rechter-rhein.deutschebahn.com)

Accessibility and passenger assistance

Passengers with restricted mobility can contact Deutsche Bahn’s Mobility Service Center for assistance with boarding, transfers or alighting. The service also provides information about suitable trains, station accessibility and minimum transfer times. Further details are available through Deutsche Bahn’s ⁠accessible travel information, and assistance can be requested online at msz.bahnhof.de.

Questions about the replacement services can be directed to the relevant transport company: go.Rheinland, SPNV-Nord, RMV, VIAS or DB Regio.

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