The closure of the Passau–Obertraubling route near Regensburg will affect international rail traffic between Austria and Germany, as well as domestic services in Austria.
The section will be closed from 14 June to 12 December 2026 due to Deutsche Bahn construction works. ÖBB says the Austrian and German networks are closely connected, meaning the closure will have consequences beyond Germany.
For passengers, the main alternative route between Austria and Germany will run via Munich Hauptbahnhof. Railjet Xpress services between Vienna, Linz, Salzburg and Munich will continue every two hours, with journey times extended by around 15 minutes.
No ICE trains will run between Vienna and Nuremberg via Passau during the closure. ÖBB will add services via Salzburg and Munich, while the Nightjet from Vienna to Hamburg and Amsterdam will be diverted.
Freight traffic is one of the main operational challenges. Around 120 freight trains per day that normally use the Passau route are expected to be diverted via the Munich–Salzburg–Wels corridor, increasing pressure on the western route and the so-called German Corner.
Because of the high utilisation, journey times between Salzburg and Munich and between Salzburg and Innsbruck will increase by around 15 minutes. Passengers travelling between Vienna and Vorarlberg should expect journeys to take about 30 minutes longer.
ÖBB says it has prepared replacement and operating concepts for freight customers. The most relevant construction phases for freight are from 14 June to 11 July 2026 and from 20 September to 12 December 2026. Additional diversion routes for freight trains are also being assessed, including via the Ennstal, Schoberpass and Semmering corridors.
Further works in Austria will add pressure during the summer. From 10 July to 16 September, construction in the Lower Inn Valley will affect long-distance services on the western route. The works include signalling block densification and the completion of the Vomp overtaking station, supporting future capacity needs linked to the Brenner Base Tunnel.
