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Rail chaos in Saxony: complete closure between Leipzig and Dresden!
Construction work between Leipzig and Dresden from June 23rd will result in train cancellations and replacement buses. Don't miss any information!
Rail chaos in Saxony: complete closure between Leipzig and Dresden!
The railway line between Oschatz and Wurzen has been completely closed since the evening of June 23, 2025. Extensive construction work will be carried out there until June 29th at 5 p.m., including switch replacements. The aim of these measures is to make rail transport more reliable in the long term Saxon reported.
The construction site has a significant impact on long-distance transport, especially on the popular ICE trains. Travelers between Wiesbaden and Dresden have to be prepared that the trains only stop in Leipzig. The stops in Riesa, Dresden-Neustadt and Dresden main station will no longer be available, which means an unpleasant change for many commuters. Replacement buses are being used between Leipzig and Dresden to fill the gaps, but these cannot fully compensate for the inconvenience.
Travel time extensions and diversions
Some trains will be rerouted, resulting in travel time extensions of up to 90 minutes. From June 27th, additional diversions for ICE trains between Erfurt and Leipzig can be expected, which can also take up to 60 minutes longer. The IC trains between Hanover and Dresden are also affected; They now stop in Elsterwerda every two hours, which means the journey takes a total of 30 to 60 minutes longer, as does the MDR reported.
There are also important changes in local transport that should not go unmentioned. Trains on line S3 will be canceled between Borsdorf, Wurzen and Oschatz, and the regional express line RE50 will also be discontinued between Wurzen and Oschatz. A rail replacement service with buses is organized here, but passengers must also expect a longer journey time. The Saxonia Express now takes around 30 minutes longer than usual.
Alternatives to the train
There are still alternatives for travelers who want to get from Leipzig to Dresden. Flixbus offers up to twelve trips daily in both directions, and car sharing and ride-sharing services are also available. This could be a welcome option for travelers who do not want to rely on alternative transport.
Criticism and outlook
The Pro Bahn passenger association is critical of the replacement concept, which is perceived as inadequate. Especially for the often overcrowded RE50, there are calls for direct buses with long-distance transport comfort and better information for passengers. According to Pro Bahn, only five articulated buses are available as replacements, which does not meet the needs of passengers. In addition, there is criticism that the region around Dresden does not seem to be a priority for Deutsche Bahn, according to pro-Bahn speaker Michael Koch.
The construction work is part of extensive infrastructure measures for which Deutsche Bahn invested a total of 10.7 billion euros in 2022. Of this, 2.5 billion euros went into maintenance in order to offer rail customers a reliable service in the long term. Despite these financial efforts, there are ongoing challenges, such as material shortages and associated delays, as stated in a previous report by the German railways can be read.
In summary, it can be said that the coming days will bring many challenges for commuters and travelers in Saxony and beyond. It remains to be hoped that the necessary construction work will be carried out quickly and efficiently in order to ensure smooth rail operations again soon.