Flood Chaos Disrupts Train Services in Munich
Recent flooding has severely disrupted train services in Munich, causing significant delays and cancellations. Despite warnings of potential flooding, Deutsche Bahn (DB) appeared unprepared, leading to chaotic travel experiences for passengers.
One traveler set off from Munich to Stuttgart on Saturday morning, reassured by the lack of disruption notices on Deutsche Bahn's website. However, the return journey from Stuttgart proved problematic. The train initially halted in Plochingen, with subsequent announcements indicating changes in the route due to impassable sections. After several detours and stops, the train eventually returned to Stuttgart before proceeding to Munich via Aalen, arriving three hours late.
The flooding caused numerous cancellations on Saturday and Sunday, particularly affecting routes to Nuremberg, Erfurt, Berlin, and areas heavily impacted by floods such as Augsburg, Ulm, and Stuttgart. Deutsche Bahn has advised against traveling to southern Germany, with long-distance trains from Stuttgart, Würzburg, and Nuremberg not serving Munich. Passengers are also warned to expect further disruptions north and west of Munich, with remaining trains likely to be crowded.
Current Cancellations and Delays
Routes currently experiencing cancellations include:
- Munich - Nuremberg - Erfurt - Berlin
- Karlsruhe - Stuttgart - Ulm - Augsburg - Munich
- Stuttgart - Mannheim - Frankfurt(M)
- Munich - Lindau - Bregenz - Zurich
- Karlsruhe - Stuttgart - Crailsheim - Nuremberg
- Augsburg - Kempten (Allgäu) - Oberstdorf
Routes experiencing delays include:
- Nuremberg - Würzburg: Trains are delayed by approximately 25 minutes.
Ticket Flexibility and S-Bahn Impact
In light of the disruptions, Deutsche Bahn has lifted travel restrictions, allowing passengers with tickets for travel between June 2 and 4, 2024, to postpone their journeys. Tickets will remain valid for the original destination, even with altered routes, and seat reservations can be canceled without charge. The S-Bahn in Munich is also affected, with the S7 line between Wolfratshausen and Höllriegelskreuth closed due to landslides.
Alternative Travel Options
With train services severely impacted, passengers may consider alternative transportation. Long-distance buses, such as Flixbus, offer limited availability with prices ranging from 45 to 70 euros for the Munich-Berlin route, which takes approximately eleven hours. Rental cars are another option, with Sixt offering vehicles starting at 215 euros for an electric car and up to 500 euros for a luxury vehicle, plus fuel costs. The drive from Munich to Berlin takes about seven hours, with additional mileage surcharges for distances over 300 kilometers.
As the flood situation continues to evolve, passengers are advised to check for the latest travel updates and consider alternative transportation to avoid further disruptions.
Image by Wolfgang Weiser from Pixabay
