Line RE2 runs from the Berlin Stadtbahn via Berlin-Spandau and Dallgow-Döberitz to Hennigsdorf. It replaces line RE6 on this section.

RE5 is rerouted between Rostock and Langhagen, with the stop in Güstrow omitted. For travel to/from Güstrow, passengers can use line RE50, which runs one hour offset, from Neustrelitz, Kratzeburg, Waren (Müritz), Langhagen, Rostock Hbf (and from Berlin with a transfer in Neustrelitz). Line RE85 also operates between Berlin, Oranienburg, Waren (Müritz), and Güstrow. Additionally, the Rostock S-Bahn can be used between Rostock and Güstrow.

Line RE6 operates on a shortened route between Perleberg and Berlin but is rerouted between Neuruppin and Berlin due to additional construction work. It now stops in Löwenberg (Mark), Oranienburg, and Berlin Gesundbrunnen.
Between Kremmen and Hennigsdorf, line RB55 operates with stops at all stations, and RE6 shuttle services also run (stopping only in Kremmen, Velten, and Hennigsdorf). Line RE2 connects Hennigsdorf with central Berlin, and buses operate as a replacement between Neuruppin and Kremmen.

Line RE8 runs from BER Airport via the Berlin Stadtbahn, Berlin-Spandau, and Dallgow-Döberitz to Elstal.
As a long-distance rerouting option, special line RE85 operates between Schwerin Hbf and Berlin Südkreuz, with stops in Bad Kleinen, Güstrow, Waren (Müritz), Neustrelitz (only in the direction of Schwerin), Oranienburg, Berlin Gesundbrunnen, Berlin Hbf, and Berlin Potsdamer Platz.

Line RB10 is completely suspended.
Line RB14 runs from the Berlin North-South Tunnel via Berlin-Spandau and Dallgow-Döberitz to Wustermark.

Line RB20 is suspended between Oranienburg and Birkenwerder. Passengers are advised to use S-Bahn line S1 instead.

Line RB32 is suspended between Oranienburg and Berlin-Lichtenberg and only operates between Berlin-Lichtenberg and Schönefeld (near Berlin).

Line RB54 continues to operate between Rheinsberg (Mark) and Löwenberg (Mark), but with slightly adjusted departure times to accommodate the additional RE6 service on this route.

Line RB73 does not operate between Kyritz and Neustadt (Dosse). As a replacement, passengers can use replacement bus line R and regular ORP bus services.

The road-based replacement concept builds on the intensified train service. The core element of the replacement transport in the state of Brandenburg is the interregional line X4, which runs from Wittenberge via Perleberg and along the B5 highway, stopping in Kyritz and Nauen, to Wustermark. From there, it continues to Brieselang to provide a fast connection from the municipality to Wustermark station. At each of these points, passengers can transfer to trains with short waiting times for onward travel to Berlin.
Line X4 is supplemented by additional regional replacement services, which are coordinated at key transfer points to ensure short connection times. A dense service frequency and centrally located bus stops aim to minimize inconvenience for passengers as much as possible. The replacement buses also connect the Falkensee area to Dallgow-Döberitz station.
In Wustermark and Dallgow-Döberitz, connections from the replacement buses to train services are available.
In the Falkensee, Finkenkrug, and Brieselang areas, the replacement services are complemented by municipal bus routes.
A complete overview of all replacement bus lines is available here.

Long-distance trains will continue to operate between Hamburg and Berlin. The connection remains attractive in terms of frequency, travel time, and price. With up to 65 daily ICE services – 36 of them direct – DB offers a reliable connection between Germany’s two largest cities: hourly, with non-stop direct services, mostly operated by long ICE 4 trains with capacity for up to 830 passengers. As with previous construction projects, the trains will run via Uelzen and Stendal. The travel time between Hamburg and Berlin will be extended by 45 minutes. Long-distance trains will also stop in Salzwedel and Stendal, and alternate hourly between additional stops in Lüneburg and Uelzen.
At the start of the general renovation, direct replacement buses (IC buses) will operate between Wittenberge or Ludwigslust and Hamburg.

During the general renovation of the Hamburg–Berlin route, no train services will operate on the main line Hamburg <> Ludwigslust <> Wittenberge <> Berlin-Spandau. This also includes stations from which other lines branch off, such as Neustadt (Dosse) and Wittenberge.
Local transport will be replaced by an extensive bus network, while long-distance trains between Berlin and Hamburg will be rerouted via Stendal and Uelzen. The detailed replacement transport concept has been presented in various formats since February 2025.
 

For questions, the project communication team at DB InfraGO for the general renovation Hamburg–Berlin is happy to assist. Contact options can be found here.

For questions regarding replacement transport, please contact our information center at: info@vbb.de.

• Wherever rail services cannot operate, regional trains will be replaced by an extensive network of replacement buses.
• On many routes, buses will run more frequently than trains to offer passengers maximum flexibility for their daily journeys.
• To account for the high traffic volumes in the Berlin metropolitan area, bus routes have been designed to differ from train routes in order to avoid roads prone to congestion.
• Detailed information on bus routes and stops can be found on our replacement transport page.
• Additionally, some buses in the Nauen, Brieselang, and Falkensee areas will serve as feeder services to regional rail. These plans are currently being finalized. New information will be published on this website as it becomes available.
• Travel Time Examples:
  • Wittenberge – Berlin Central Station
    By train: approx. 1:30 hrs
    By replacement bus and train: approx. 3:30 hrs
  • Neustadt (Dosse) – Berlin Central Station
    By train: approx. 1:00 hr
    By replacement bus and train: approx. 2:00 hrs
  • Nauen – Berlin Central Station
    By train: approx. 45 min
    By replacement bus and train: approx. 60 min
  • Falkensee – Berlin Central Station
    By train: approx. 20 min
    By replacement bus and train: approx. 40 min
     

School transport is being taken into account in the planning and coordination of the overall transport offering during the general renovation. A combination of replacement buses for cancelled train services and enhancements to municipal transport (including Havelbus) will ensure that students can continue to use public transport for their journeys. Coordination is currently ongoing.

The replacement bus service is based on the existing train schedule. It also considers the fact that bus journeys take longer than train journeys. This means that buses will also operate during very early and very late hours.

A direct replacement bus line between Falkensee and Spandau along Falkenhagener Str., Spandauer Str., and Falkenseer Chaussee – or alternatively via Seegefelder Straße – was initially considered but ultimately rejected due to existing conditions. Both routes are already heavily congested, especially during peak hours, due to car and bus traffic. Travel times to Spandau would be around 30 minutes before passengers could transfer to trains.
The replacement concept now developed is based on a route that may seem counterintuitive at first but offers comparatively shorter travel times: passengers take replacement or municipal buses to Dallgow-Döberitz station and transfer there to one of the many train services (during the construction period, in addition to RE4 and RB21, also RE2, RE8, and RB14). This approach is expected to reduce travel times for the majority of passengers compared to a direct replacement service from Falkensee to Spandau. Moreover, it promises significantly higher reliability by largely avoiding roads prone to traffic congestion.
 

Transfer times at key interchange points are planned to allow for convenient connections even in the event of minor delays. Unfortunately, this cannot be guaranteed in the case of major delays. However, most routes operate at 30-minute intervals, so even in the event of a significant delay (e.g. 20 minutes), the waiting time should not be excessive.

No, tickets cannot be purchased on the buses. Tickets must be obtained in advance, for example at ticket counters, ticket machines at stations, or digitally via the available apps.
Additionally, tickets that require validation must be validated before boarding. Validation on the replacement buses is not possible. Boarding is only permitted with a valid and, if necessary, pre-validated ticket. An overview of ticket sales and validation options at regional train stations can be found here.
 

Yes, with a valid VBB fare ticket, you can use all replacement buses operating within the VBB network area. This also applies to holders of valid VBB tickets for travel between Glöwen and Breddin, even when using the replacement bus route via Havelberg in Saxony-Anhalt. The detour does not need to be considered – the VBB fare for the originally intended route remains valid. Tickets under the Deutschlandtarif that would have been valid for the intended train journey are also accepted on the replacement buses.

Yes, all replacement buses can of course be used with the Deutschlandticket.

All parties involved are aware of the inconvenience caused by the extensive closures. However, the construction work is necessary to ensure reliable train service in the future. The works are announced in advance so that passengers can prepare accordingly. Therefore, no refunds – not even partial – will be issued.

These groups will be given priority. The replacement services will be operated with low-floor buses. We also recommend that passengers with reduced mobility register in advance with the Mobility Service Center (MSZ).

No, due to limited capacity, bicycles cannot be transported on the replacement buses.