Rhine Valley Railway faces year-long disruptions starting February 2026

Major construction work on the Rhine Valley Railway will disrupt train services for much of 2026. The S2 S-Bahn line, particularly between Freiburg and Denzlingen, faces significant cuts, with about half of all trains cancelled during key periods. Passengers are being urged to plan ahead as alternative transport options are put in place.

The disruptions begin on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 23:00, lasting until December 31, 2026, at 22:59. The affected stretch runs from Karlsruhe to Basel, including stops at Freiburg and Offenburg. DB InfraGO, responsible for the work, has warned of ongoing delays and cancellations throughout this period.

A more intense phase is scheduled over Easter, from **Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 23:30** until **Monday, April 13, 2026, at 5:00**. During this time, many trains will be replaced by buses. The S2 line will see further reductions from **April 3 to April 9, 2026**, with roughly one in two services between Freiburg and Denzlingen cancelled. To ease the impact, passengers can switch to DB Regio's **RE7 and RB26 lines**, which will operate along the same route. However, travellers are advised to check updated schedules before setting off, as transfer times and connections may change.

The construction work will affect thousands of daily commuters and long-distance travellers. Those using the S2 line should expect fewer services and possible delays until the end of the year. Authorities recommend verifying journey details in advance to avoid unexpected disruptions.