Easter Travel Rush: High Demand on Railways as Holiday Season Begins

The Easter travel season is officially underway, beginning on Maundy Thursday, a time when railway stations are expected to be bustling with travelers. The Deutsche Bahn has indicated that the busiest travel days will be Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, with return journeys anticipated to peak on Easter Monday.

As many passengers take to the railways, popular routes are expected to be heavily utilized. Key destinations include major cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Frankfurt, with travelers flocking to coastal and mountainous regions for holiday getaways.

However, this year's travel plans may encounter some disruptions due to ongoing construction projects that are particularly active during the holiday period. The Deutsche Bahn typically schedules maintenance work during school breaks when business travel is at a low. As a result, travelers can expect significant delays.

For instance, trains operating between Berlin and Munich will be rerouted via Würzburg, resulting in an extended travel time of approximately 1.5 hours. Similarly, services in the Ruhr area between Dortmund and Essen will take around 20 minutes longer due to upgrades for the Rhein-Ruhr Express. Additionally, the Hannover-Bremen route will be completely closed for repairs from April 7 to April 27.

In light of the expected crowding, the Deutsche Bahn is advising passengers to make seat reservations to ensure a more comfortable journey. The railway company is also encouraging mutual consideration among travelers, such as clearing seats of luggage when necessary and assisting elderly passengers in locating their reserved seats.

To accommodate the increased demand, the Deutsche Bahn plans to deploy longer trains and add approximately 100 seasonal connections. Notably, a direct train service from Munich to Ancona on the Adriatic coast will be introduced for the first time. Additional express connections between Frankfurt and Brussels are also set to be launched, alongside a new Intercity service connecting the Rhineland with the East Frisian North Sea coast.

As the Easter holiday approaches, passengers are urged to stay informed about potential delays and to plan their journeys accordingly to make the most of their travel experience.