Train chaos in Saxony and Thuringia: Longer journey times of up to 90 minutes!

Train chaos in Saxony and Thuringia: Longer journey times of up to 90 minutes!

The anticipation of a carefree summer is dampened for many travelers in Saxony, Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt. From June 23, 2025, extensive construction work will begin on crucial railway lines, which will primarily affect long-distance traffic between Leipzig and Munich. These measures are necessary to renew bridges in Thuringia and to optimize the route from Leipzig to Dresden. How stern.de reported, the first construction work will last until June 29th and will require the complete closure of the section between Dornreichenbach and Dahlen in order to renew switches.

The impairments are significant. There are no stops in Riesa and Dresden on the Wiesbaden-Dresden ICE line; the trains start and end in Leipzig. In order to fill the resulting gaps, replacement buses will be used between Leipzig and Dresden, with some trains being rerouted. Travelers must expect longer journey times of up to 90 minutes. The Hanover-Dresden IC connection is also affected, as its trains will run every two hours between Leipzig and Dresden in the future, although with different arrival times of 30 to 60 minutes.

Travel time extensions and diversions

But that's not all. In the period from June 26th to July 12th, further construction work will follow in Thuringia, which will result in diversions. The trains between Leipzig/Halle and Erfurt will then take up to 60 minutes longer, while the connection between Leipzig and Erfurt will take around 20 minutes more. On the route from Frankfurt/Main to Halle (Saale), travelers have to do without direct connections. The restrictions are becoming a real challenge for many.

Travelers are well advised to find out about the current timetables in good time and possibly use alternative means of transport. There is also information from nahverkehr-nrw.de, who advise using timetable apps and considering alternative options such as cycling or working from home. Because the summer of 2025 could be a test of patience for many travelers.

A look beyond national borders

A look at Cologne shows that there is also major construction work to be done there, although most of it will be carried out during ongoing operations. Deutsche Bahn is planning a new electrical signal box, and work has already begun. Loud radiokoeln.de Travelers must expect diversions and sometimes significant travel time extensions, especially on long-distance connections such as trains to Aachen, Berlin and Frankfurt.

The year 2025 is therefore an important year for rail travel in Germany, both in Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. The challenges are great, but the planned improvements could ultimately lead to a more reliable and better rail network. The hope remains that the investments will pay off and increase traveler mobility in the long term.