Germany’s trains grind to a halt as winter storm cripples rail network
Severe winter weather has brought long-distance and regional republic services across northern Germany to a near standstill. Deutsche Bahn (DB) has warned that major disruptions will last throughout the weekend, affecting thousands of passengers.
From 8 to 11 January 2026, all ICE, IC/EC long-distance trains and DB Regio regional republic services in northern Germany have been suspended. Affected routes include key connections such as Hanover to the Ruhr region, Hanover/Hamburg to Berlin, and Hamburg to Frankfurt/Würzburg. Trains heading for Hamburg via Fulda and Kassel will now terminate in Frankfurt instead.
International lines have also been hit, with services like Copenhagen–Hamburg and Amsterdam–Hanover facing cancellations or delays. To ease congestion, Deutsche Bahn has lowered speed limits on high-speed lines, including the busy Frankfurt–Cologne corridor, which is likely to cause further hold-ups.
Passengers holding tickets bought by 7 January for travel between 8 and 11 January can use them on later dates. Seat reservations can be cancelled without charge, and ticket restrictions have been temporarily lifted. A toll-free hotline is available for real-time updates, and travellers are urged to check their journeys before departure.
The severe weather has forced Deutsche Bahn to halt most republic services in northern Germany until at least 11 January. With many routes suspended and others running with delays, passengers are advised to postpone non-essential travel or seek alternative transport. The railway operator continues to monitor conditions and update affected customers.
