Germany: Delays & disruptions

Engineering works are happening in Germany. Major disruptions are listed below. You can check the status of a train on Deutsche Bahn's website and with Deutsche Bahn's traffic forecast tool.

IN THIS ARTICLE

Current disruption

Cancellation of the GDL strike in Germany

In Germany, the strike by the GDL trade union was ended at 02:00 on 13.03.24.

For operational reasons, there may be isolated train cancellations and delays in cross-border train services on 13.03.24.

Further information can be found in the ÖBB route information, the ÖBB timetable information SCOTTY, at oebb.at/streik and in the ÖBB customer service at 05-1717.
ÖBB long-distance trains via the Deutsche Eck between Salzburg and Kufstein will run on March 13th. according to plan.
ÖBB long-distance trains to/from Munich via Passau run on March 13th. as planned according to the construction site timetable.
Exceptions:
RJX 265, RJX 61 and RJX 63 start on March 13th. in Salzburg main station.
ÖBB long-distance trains to/from Munich via Kufstein run on March 13th. according to plan.
ÖBB long-distance trains to/from Germany via Lindau will run on March 13th. according to plan.
ICE trains to/from Germany depart on March 13th. according to plan.
Validity of the tickets:
International tickets: The train connection for international ÖBB Sparschiene and standard tickets up to the purchase date March 4th, 2024 for trips to/from Germany with a destination or starting station in Austria has been lifted.
Tickets are valid until March 15, 2024.
Nightjet tickets: Customers who already have a ticket for an affected night train can also use the ticket on daytime services. The tickets are still valid until March 15th, 2024 (provided the ticket was purchased by March 4th, 2024).
The regulation only applies to Nightjet tickets to/from Germany with a destination or starting station in Austria.

Deutsche Bahn - Strike on 12th March 2024

The GDL has called for strike action on Tuesday, 12 March 2024. During the strike, DB will once again implement a basic service on long-distance, regional and S-Bahn services.

The basic offer will be published step by step in the timetable information on bahn.de and in the DB Navigator.

Validity of tickets:

All passengers who have purchased a ticket for a journey 12 March 2024 up to and including 10 March 2024 and wish to postpone it due to the GDL strike can use their ticket at a later date. The for train selected is cancelled.  The ticket is valid for the journey to the original destination even with a changed route alignment. Seat reservations can be cancelled free of charge. Passengers (on long-distance services) also have the option of bringing their journey forward and travelling earlier on Monday, 11 March 2024 as part of a special concession.  

  • If you have purchased a ticket for a journey on 12 March 2024 up to and including 10 March 2024 and would like to postpone this journey due to the GDL strike, you can use your ticket at a later date. The for train selected is cancelled. The ticket is valid for the journey to the original destination, even if the route alignment is changed. Seat reservations can be cancelled free of charge.
  • You can also bring forward your journey and travel earlier on Monday, 11 March 2024 as part of a special arrangement.
  • You can also bring forward your journey and travel earlier from Monday, 4 March 2024 up to and including Wednesday, 6 March 2024 as part of a special
  • Your train has been or will be cancelled and you would like to cancel your journey completely? In this case, you can cancel your journey and receive a full refund of the full fare for your ticket without any deductions.

You will find detailed information below.

Travelling by train during the GDL strike

Free strike hotline +49 8000 99 66 33

Deutsche Bahn - Strike from 7 to 8 March 2024

The trade-union of the German train-drivers (GDL) will execute countrywide strike-activities between  7 March, 02 o'clock until 8 March 2024, 13 o'clock. The strike will have a massive impact on all German railway operations.

DB has drawn up an  replacement timetable for long-distance transport with a greatly reduced number of journeys. DB is using longer trains with more seats for these journeys in order to get as many people as possible to their destination. Nevertheless, it is not possible to guarantee a journey. In regional transport, the aim is to run a greatly reduced service. The extent to which this is possible varies greatly from region to region. In any case, there will also be massive restrictions on regional transport.

All passengers who wish to postpone their journey planned for 7 March 2024 or 8 March 2024 due to the GDL strike can use their ticket at a later date. The restriction for train selected journey is cancelled. The ticket is valid for the journey to the original destination, even if the route alignment is changed. Seat reservations can be cancelled free of charge.

As part of a  special arrangement, you can also bring forward your journey and travel as early on Monday, 4 March unl Wednesday, 6 March 2024.

DB will provide information about the effects of the GDL strike as soon as possible on bahn.de and in the DB Navigator app. Travellers should also check there before starting their journey.

If you are not able to travel (or choose not to), you can refund tickets  PRIOR to the validity date of your tickets. This will help expedite the refund process and prevent unnecessary waiting. You need to be logged to process the refund too.

If you are unable to obtain a refund, please contact us through Rail Europe's "Contact Us" page.  Refund requests must be submitted within 60 days after the first validity date of your tickets.

Further information to domestic trains, which are operated during the strike, are available in the timetable information on bahn.de 

Important links and information
www.bahn.de/sonderkulanz
www.deutschebahn.com/streik
www.bahn.de/passenger-rights
https://www.bahn.de/aktuell

Free strike hotline +49 8000 99 66 33

Deutsche Bahn - Strike from 24 to 29 January 2024

The GDL has announced strike action for the period from Wednesday, 24 January 2024 to Monday, 29 January 2024. 

This will result in massive disruptions to Deutsche Bahn's long-distance, regional and S-Bahn services during this period. The emergency timetable only ensures very limited train services on DB's long-distance, regional and S-Bahn services. 

Please refrain from unnecessary journeys during the GDL strike and postpone your journey to another time.

Regulations for affected travellers:

  • You can postpone your journey and use your ticket at a later date. You will no longer be restricted to using the train printed on your ticket. The ticket will be valid for the journey to the original destination, even if the route is different. Seat reservations can be cancelled free of charge.
  • Your train has been cancelled or will be cancelled and you would like to cancel your journey completely? In this case, you can cancel your journey and receive a full refund of the full fare for your ticket without any deductions.

Deutsche Bahn - Strike from 10 to 12 January 2024

The GDL has announced strike action for the period from 2 a.m. on Wednesday, 10 January 2024 up to and including Friday, 12 January 2024. 

This will result in massive disruptions to Deutsche Bahn's long-distance, regional and S-Bahn services during this period. The emergency timetable only ensures very limited train services on DB's long-distance, regional and S-Bahn services. 

Please refrain from unnecessary journeys during the GDL strike and postpone your journey to another time.

Regulations for affected travellers:

All passengers who wish to postpone their journey planned for Wednesday, 10 January 2024 to Friday, 12 January 2024 due to the GDL strike can use their ticket at a later date. The for train selected is cancelled.

The ticket is valid for the journey to the original destination, even with a changed route alignment. Seat reservations can be cancelled free of charge.

In addition, passengers also have the option of bringing their journey forward and travelling earlier on Monday, 8 January 2024 and Tuesday, 9 January 2024 as part of a special goodwill gesture.

Deutsche Bahn - Strike in Germany on 15 & 16 November 2023

Strike action has been announced from Wednesday evening of the 15th November 2023 up to and including the 16th November 2023. Massive disruptions on Deutsche Bahn's long-distance, regional and S-Bahn services must be expected.

All passengers wishing to postpone their journey planned for Wednesday evening, the 15th November 2023 and Thursday, 16th November 2023, can use their ticket on a later date. Tickets are no more bound to a specific time and date. They are valid for reaching the original destination, even with a different route. Seat reservations can be cancelled free of charge. 

Passengers can also bring their travel forward earlier on Wednesday, 15 November 2023 as part of a special goodwill gesture. In this case, we recommend travelling early in the day to ensure arriving at your destination before commencement at 10 pm. 

Deutsch Bahn - Strike by the EVG trade union from 14 May 2023

DB long-distance services will be suspended from 14.05.2023 10 p.m. to 16.05.2023 midnight due to a strike by the EVG trade union. 

Local transport will be massively affected nationwide.

Aftersales:

If you have booked a long-distance journey for this period, you now have the following options:

  • Are your travel plans flexible? Can you change the date or time of your journey? If so, you can use your ticket at any time until 14.05.2023. The validity ticket will no longer be restricted to the selected train, so you can simply choose another one.
  • Your train been or will be cancelled, and you have decided not to travel. You can receive a full refund of your ticket price by contacting us.

Deutsch Bahn - Strike by the EVG trade union on 21 April 2023

Due to a strike by the EVG trade union, Deutsche Bahn long-distance rail transport will be suspended from 3 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 21.04.2023.

DB regional services will be largely cancelled in the morning.

Please note that we expect a gradual ramp-up of long distance trains on Friday, 21.04.23 from 1pm.

Aftersales:

If you have booked a long-distance journey for this period, you now have the following options:

  • Are your travel plans flexible? Can you change the date or time of your journey? If so, you can use your ticket at any time from 19.04.2023 until 25.04.2023. The validity ticket will no longer be restricted to the selected train, so you can simply choose another one.
  • Your train been or will be cancelled, and you have decided not to travel. You can receive a full refund of your ticket price by contacting us.

Deutsch Bahn - Strike in Germany on 27 March

Due to the strike in Germany, considerable Deutsche Bahn train cancellations and restrictions are expected from the 27th to the 28th March 2023.

  • If you wish to postpone your journey planned between the 27th and the 28th March 2023 because of the strike you can use your ticket flexibly from the 23rd March to the 4th April 2023. This rule apply to Saver and Supersaver fares as well. 
  • Seat reservations can be cancelled or rebooked free of charge. 
  • Flexibility applies to the whole ticket, meaning that the return ticket can also be used flexibly, even if it is not booked for the 27th and 28th March.
  • Other railway companies tickets (e.g. ÖBB, SBB, SNCF...) can also be used flexibly for domestic routes within Germany and for international routes to/from Germany. 
  • Passengers with Nightjet tickets can use DB day trains in case of cancellation. "De Luxe" comfort category tickets are valid in 1st class, all other tickets in 2nd class.

What to do if you experience a delay

Please speak to staff on the train or at the station if you are delayed. They will have the most up to date information and can tell you what to do. Also ask the staff to stamp your ticket with proof of delay. This will make it easier for you to travel on later trains.

Keep all of your tickets until you return home. They can be used to submit a claim to the rail operator if you incur any unavoidable additional costs (new tickets, taxis).

For more information, please see our Help article: What happens if I miss my connection. If you need to submit a claim, see: Submitting a claim to Deutsche Bahn.

If you have tickets for onward travel on trains which are scheduled to run as normal, refunds and exchanges are only permitted as per fare conditions.
Please note that this information is provided by the rail operator and cannot be guaranteed by Rail Europe.