Situation today (27 October 2026)
- Announced strikes: none at BVG, the S-Bahn, Deutsche Bahn or BER in the sources checked on 27 October 2026.
- Precedents in 2026: a Verdi warning strike at BVG on 2 February, urban transport strike days in several states on 27 and 28 February, then a stop to passenger flights at BER on 18 March and to urban transport on 19 March (German press). None of these disputes is reported as resuming today.
- Works: from 14 June to 12 December 2026, the Stadtbahn is closed to regional and long-distance trains between Charlottenburg and Ostbahnhof; most long-distance trains stop at the lower level of the main station (VBB). The S-Bahn runs; the three closure weekends were in June and July.
- BER airport: Deutsche Bahn said in June that the BER connection would stay assured during the works (dpa); the VBB page we read gives no detail on BER links, so check the journey planner.
- Travel advice: no warning for Germany in the UK advice (FCDO, 11 August 2026).
Calendar to the end of January 2027
| Date | Event | What it means for you | Status and source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 2026 to Jan. 2027 | BVG, S-Bahn, DB or BER strike | Nothing to report for now | None announced on 27 October |
| Until 12 December 2026 | Stadtbahn closed to regional and long-distance trains | Diverted trains, extra changes, replacement stops | Confirmed (VBB) |
| 9 November | Anniversary of the fall of the Wall | Ceremonies and gatherings near the Brandenburg Gate and the memorial | Annual event, details to be confirmed |
| Late Nov. to late Dec. (to be confirmed) | Christmas markets | Crowds in the centre and nearby stations | Annual event, dates per market |
| 24-26 December | Christmas | Holiday timetables, shops closed | Usual calendar, check BVG |
| 31 December | New Year's Eve | Crowds at the Brandenburg Gate, special night service | Special timetable to check in early December |
Weather and safety in winter
- Snow and ice: from December to February, train and tram delays, sometimes cancelled flights.
- Warning strikes: Verdi often announces them a day or two ahead; the S-Bahn and regional trains are not hit by a BVG-only strike.
- Threats: the UK advice of 11 August 2026 lists no particular warning for Berlin.
What to do: refunds, insurance, alternatives
- On a BVG strike day: the S-Bahn, run separately, usually keeps going; the centre is also easy on foot or by bike.
- Trains and BER: with the Stadtbahn closed, expect one more change and check the departure and arrival station of your long-distance train.
- Bad weather or strike: an indoor guided visit, such as a Museum Island tour, can be booked with free cancellation.
Keep your tickets, receipts and a screenshot of the announcement. For a flight, the airline must offer a refund or rerouting; the fixed compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 depends on the cause of the disruption and only applies to flights leaving the EU, or arriving in the EU with a European airline. Before booking anything non-refundable (hotel, train, excursion), read the cancellation terms.
What if you fall ill or get hurt during the trip? A disruption does not help when there is an accident. SafetyWing (bought online, for the length of the trip) covers medical costs and evacuation; it is not cancellation insurance, so read its trip-interruption terms before counting on it for a strike or a missed flight. See our travel insurance guide.
See also our safety and scams guide.
Flight cancelled or delayed by a strike: are you owed compensation?
- Who is covered: EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261) applies to flights leaving the EU (any airline) and flights into the EU on an EU airline.
- Amounts: €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 from 1,500 to 3,500 km (or intra-EU flights over 1,500 km), €600 beyond 3,500 km, if the flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure or arrives 3 hours or more late. The amount can be cut by 50% if you are rerouted at times close to the original.
- Strike: the case on this page — Here, the strikes are by third parties. An air traffic control strike, an airport staff strike or a general strike is usually an extraordinary circumstance: no compensation, but the airline must still offer a refund or rebooking and care (meals, hotel).
- Claim for free: directly with the airline, using the form on its website; keep your boarding pass and all proofs. Deadline depends on the country — Germany: 3 years.
- Claims service: AirHelp checks your flight for free and handles the claim, taking a commission only if it wins (about 35% of the compensation, VAT included, plus 15% if legal action is needed). You can also claim yourself at no cost.
What to do safely during the general strike
Here is a plan B to keep your trip going without taking risks.
- Areas to avoid on protest days: Brandenburg Gate, Alexanderplatz, Kreuzberg, Neukölln on 1 May.
- Outing away from the marches: Potsdam and Sanssouci, day trip, far from the squares where people march.
- Airport transfer: transfer from Berlin Brandenburg (BER) airport, no train, metro or bus to catch.
- Calm hotel, free cancellation: hotels in Charlottenburg, quiet area, refundable if your plans change.
FAQ
Is there a strike in Berlin in November 2026?
None is announced as of 27 October 2026 in the sources checked. Warning strikes are often announced a day or two ahead.
Is the Stadtbahn closed?
Yes, to regional and long-distance trains from 14 June to 12 December 2026 (VBB); the S-Bahn runs on it.
How do I get to BER?
Use the VBB or Deutsche Bahn journey planner on the day: regional routes were changed during the works.
Sources checked on 27 October 2026: VBB (Stadtbahn closure 2026 page), dpa via German press (June 2026), Berlin press (February-March 2026), FCDO Germany (11 August 2026). This page will be updated if a strike is announced.
See also: BVG strike in Berlin, German rail strike, Lufthansa and BER airport strikes, Berlin protest today.
