Major Construction Work Leads to Extended Closures at Berlin Central Station

Travelers using Berlin's Central Station will face significant disruptions as extensive construction work begins, affecting services for up to two months. The lower level of the station is undergoing a partial closure, restricting access to only four of the eight tracks.

From March 21 to March 24, as well as during the Easter holidays from April 18 to April 22, the entire underground station will be completely closed. This facility, located in the government district, sees roughly 190,000 passengers daily, making it one of Germany's busiest transportation hubs.

While the construction will impact track availability, Deutsche Bahn has assured that the city will remain well connected to long-distance rail services. However, travelers should expect altered arrival and departure schedules. During the weekends of the total closure, long-distance trains will not stop at the Central Station or Südkreuz but will be rerouted to other long-distance stations. Commuter trains and services above ground will continue to operate as usual.

In the regional train services, several lines will experience diversions and some stops will be omitted. Berlin Central Station, featuring 16 tracks for long-distance, suburban, and underground trains across five levels, ranks as the third most frequented station in the city, following Ostkreuz and Friedrichstraße. According to Deutsche Bahn, the station recorded 494,000 train stops in 2023, with a daily passenger count of 190,000. A spokesperson emphasized that the majority of these stops are attributed to the S-Bahn, which will remain unaffected by the current construction.

The underlying reason for the ongoing construction is the installation of six additional switches and two new signals within the station's underground tracks. This infrastructure enhancement is expected to facilitate quicker and more flexible access for trains to the platforms. Deutsche Bahn anticipates that these improvements will lead to enhanced reliability and punctuality for the north-south rail connections.