Starting December 14, 2025, Deutsche Bahn will introduce its new timetable for 2026.
The schedule brings significant changes to routes in and out of Munich, offering faster connections on some lines while temporarily cutting others.
Tickets for the new services will be available from October 15.
More fast trains between Munich and Berlin
One of the biggest upgrades concerns Germany’s busiest long-distance corridor: Munich–Berlin.
According to the national rail operator, there will now be 16 high-speed ICE Sprinter services per day, each covering the journey in about four hours — three more than in the current timetable.
Connections on the Munich–Rhine/Ruhr line via Augsburg and Stuttgart will also improve, closing existing gaps in frequency.
However, some services will disappear: two Sprinter trains linking Düsseldorf and Munich will be suspended, along with certain direct connections from Munich to Bremen, Paderborn, and Hamm.
Why some routes are cut
Deutsche Bahn explained that in the past, trains were regularly split in Bremen or coupled/uncoupled in Würzburg.
The adjustments are meant to increase reliability and reduce disruptions, even though they temporarily limit direct long-distance travel options.
Expanding routes to Austria and beyond
Passengers heading south and east will benefit from new international services. Almost every two hours, trains from Munich will run to Klagenfurt and Graz.
A new EuroCity service in the morning will connect Munich with Ljubljana and Zagreb, while in the evening a new night train will depart Munich for Przemysl, a city close to Ukraine’s western border.
More frequent connections in central Germany
Travel times across Germany are also expected to improve. Between Nuremberg and Erfurt, ICE trains will operate on an almost half-hourly basis thanks to additional services and revised departure times.
This reduces travel times on connecting journeys such as Munich–Dresden or Passau–Berlin by around 30 minutes.
Where to find more details
Deutsche Bahn has published further details of its new 2026 timetable on its official website: www.deutschebahn.com.
