Situation today (26 October 2026)
- Announced DB strikes: none in the sources checked on 26 October 2026.
- EVG: agreement of February 2025 for about 192,000 employees, running to the end of 2027 (press).
- GDL: 2026 deal with 2.5 percent more pay on 1 August 2026 and on 1 August 2027 plus a one-off 700 euros; term to the end of 2027, no-strike period reported until the end of the first quarter of 2028 (signing date not given in the sources we read).
- Actual disruption: Berlin's Stadtbahn is closed to regional and long-distance trains from 14 June to 12 December 2026 (VBB).
Calendar
| Date | Event | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| February 2025 | Deutsche Bahn and EVG agreement | No EVG strike before the end of 2027 |
| 2026 (no exact date) | Deutsche Bahn and GDL agreement | No GDL strike before April 2028 (press) |
| Nov 2026 to Jan 2027 | Deutsche Bahn strike | Nothing announced on 26 October |
| Until 12 December 2026 | Stadtbahn closed | Long-distance trains stop at the lower level of the main station (VBB) |
If a strike happens anyway
- Replacement timetable: DB publishes a reduced timetable for each strike on bahn.de and in the DB Navigator; in past strikes only a fraction of long-distance trains ran. The S-Bahn Berlin belongs to DB.
- Other rail companies: private regional operators can strike independently of DB; check your exact connection. More on routes in Getting around Berlin.
- Potsdam without a train: Potsdam is 25 to 35 minutes away by S7 or RE1; on a strike day a tour with bus transport is the relaxed option.
Refunds and rights
In a strike DB usually lifts the train-specific restriction and refunds tickets free of charge; the rules are published for each strike on bahn.de. Passenger-rights compensation (25 percent of the fare from 60 minutes, 50 percent from 120 minutes of delay) depends on the cause. Keep tickets and receipts. The city-wide picture is in Strikes and disruptions in Berlin.
What to do safely during the transport strike
Here is a plan B to keep your trip going without taking risks.
- Outing that does not depend on the strike: Potsdam and Sanssouci, organised trip with transport included, no train or bus to book yourself.
- 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 train strike in November 2026?
As of 26 October 2026 none is announced, and both EVG and GDL are, according to the press, bound by running agreements.
How do I get to Potsdam during a train strike?
Take a bus or book a tour with bus transport; normally the S7 and RE1 take 25 to 35 minutes.
Sources checked on 26 October 2026: press reports on the agreements with EVG (February 2025) and GDL (2026), VBB (2026 Stadtbahn closure). We did not find the exact date of the GDL agreement. This page will be updated as soon as a strike is announced.
