Revamped Rail Experience Ahead: What Travelers in Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Need to Know
Railway Construction Update: Work ongoing on the RE4 line between Lübeck Hbf and Grevesmühlen, causing replacement train service.
Get ready for an exciting transformation in train travel! Changes are afoot in the railways of Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, as revealed by German Railways (Deutsche Bahn).
For starters, the Lübeck–Schwerin line is undergoing a massive modernization and electrification project. This venture, spanning 63 kilometers of track and covering stations like Schönberg and Grieben, aims to have trains running electrically at top speeds of 160 km/h. The project, due for completion in 2028, will noticeably trim travel times between these cities 1.
A key addition to the revamped line will be the Gallentiner Kurve near Bad Kleinen, enabling direct through journeys between Lübeck and Schwerin without any need for train changes or reversals at Bad Kleinen. However, during the first construction phase, the section between Grevesmühlen and Bad Kleinen will be closed until July 31, 2025. In its place, replacement bus services will be provided 1.
With the construction and modernization works on the Lübeck–Schwerin corridor, passengers in both regions can expect timetable adjustments and replacement bus services 1. Additionally, other parts of Germany may see alterations to their regional connections, thanks to Deutsche Bahn's electrification projects and temporary route diversions 2.
Now, let's talk about some network-wide updates. As of June 15, 2025, the families’ seat reservation will be abolished, and the cost for seat reservations in the second and first class on long-distance trains is set to increase 3. New train connections, such as between Berlin and Chemnitz, have also been introduced. All these changes might indirectly affect travelers coming from or going to Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, based on their routes 3.
So, keep an eye on these developments. We'll keep you updated!
Want to stay in the loop? Follow us on Facebook, X, Google News, or subscribe to our Newsletter. And remember, sharing is caring! Spread the word on Facebook, WhatsApp, or Pocket [4].
1 Source 12 Source 23 Source 3[4] Sources 4```
[4]: * Follow on Facebook* Follow on X* Follow on Google News* Subscribe to Newsletter
- The transformation in train travel rates among Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will not only affect the revamped Lübeck–Schwerin line but might also impact other public-transit sectors, given the broader electrification projects by Deutsche Bahn.
- Taking matters beyond Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, changes in the railway industry - such as the abolishment of family seat reservations and the introduction of new finance policies related to seat reservations in long-distance trains - may have far-reaching consequences across the broader transportation sector in Germany.
