Reminder of the delayed reopening of the Hamburg–Berlin main line
We previously posted on March 12 information regarding the delayed reopening of the Hamburg-Berlin main-line which was originally scheduled to take place at the end of April. We have repeated the article below to remind travellers who are intending to use this route over the next seven weeks about the revised plans.
Since August last year, the main line between Hamburg and Berlin has been closed to allow major upgrade work to take place. This project was originally expected to be completed by the end of April with normal services resuming on May 1. However, poor weather conditions during the winter months has slowed the progress of the work meaning the reopening of the route has been delayed. The northern Hamburg - Hagenow Land (- Schwerin) section will now reopen on May 15 meaning services between Hamburg and Rostock/Stralsund can resume from that date. The remainder of the route to Berlin via Wittenberge will reopen a month later, on June 14.
This does mean that dates shown in the relevant tables of our Spring 2026 are no longer correct. Tables affected are as follows:
- Tables 827 and 830 return to normal service from May 15 (instead of May 1).
- Tables 837, 840 and 841 return to normal service from June 14.
- The Hamburg extensions shown in Table 850 are now valid from June 14 rather than May 1.
Finland rail connection with Sweden expected
Finland is expected to regain a regular passenger rail connection with Sweden during Summer 2026, ending a prolonged period of limited cross-border passenger provision. The development centres on the Tornio–Haparanda link, where infrastructure works on the Finnish side are nearing completion.
Although the route has remained available for freight and occasional use, it has not supported a consistent international passenger service for many years. A recent bilateral agreement has enabled funding of approximately €1.9 million to restore the line to operational condition. While a firm reopening date has yet to be confirmed, the intention is to commence services in late June.
The principal significance of the reopening lies in the wider journey opportunities created. With the reintroduction of passenger trains across the border, Finland will again be connected by rail to the European network via Sweden. This permits a range of long-distance itineraries, including travel from northern Finland through Sweden and onwards to continental Europe.
It becomes possible to undertake a continuous rail journey from Finnish Lapland to southern Portugal, a distance of approximately 5,000 km. Such journeys will require multiple changes of train, and careful attention to service frequency, particularly in northern sections.
The reopening represents a further step in the steady rebuilding of international rail links in Europe, offering additional flexibility for long-distance travel.
Switzerland and beyond this Summer
Summer 2026 sees Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) offering an extensive range of international services linking Switzerland with popular holiday destinations across southern Europe. Direct rail travel remains an attractive option for travelling to cities such as Rimini, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille and Florence, though passengers should note significant engineering works affecting routes during the summer months.
From April 16 to November 2, 2026, TGV services will operate from Lausanne and Geneva to Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and Marseille on Thursdays to Mondays, increasing to daily services between June 27 and August 23. However, engineering work at La Plaine station will curtail these services between July 27 and August 16, with trains terminating at Annemasse. Passengers must use connecting services such as the Léman Express or RE33 to complete their journey.
A new seasonal direct service will link Zürich with Rimini between May 30 and October 4. Elsewhere, direct connections continue to Verona and Milan, providing onward links throughout Italy.
On the Simplon route, infrastructure works by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) will disrupt EuroCity services between Switzerland and Milan from June 7 to July 26. Additional regional cancellations between Iselle di Trasquera and Domodossola will occur from June 26 to July 27, with replacement buses operating.
