Deutsche Bahn has warned of significant service interruptions on the Marschbahn route between Hamburg and Westerland (Sylt) from 6 to 30 January 2026 as crews replace tracks, switches and signalling equipment.
During the four-week window, numerous intercity and regional trains will be cancelled or re-timed, with bus bridges covering closed sections. The heaviest impact falls between 24 and 26 January, when multiple segments shut simultaneously to connect a new electronic interlocking at Niebüll.
For international passengers suddenly facing longer stopovers or rerouting through other Schengen countries, the visa requirements can change as quickly as the timetables. VisaHQ’s Germany page (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) lets travellers check whether they need to extend a current visa, apply for a new one or obtain supporting documents, and the platform’s courier and concierge options can handle the paperwork while passengers focus on rearranging their journeys.
![Major rail works on Hamburg–Sylt corridor to disrupt January travel]()
The line is a lifeline for offshore-wind engineers, hospitality staff and the island’s upscale tourism industry. Companies operating in Northern Germany have been advised to switch staff to remote work or book accommodation on Sylt to avoid daily commuting. Freight operators moving fresh produce and construction materials are also adjusting schedules.
The upgrade forms part of DB’s broader €28 billion nationwide infrastructure plan that will see 28,000 work sites in 2026. While business-travel groups welcome long-term reliability gains, they criticise the short notice of bus replacement timetables, urging DB to publish API feeds so corporate booking tools can re-route travellers automatically.
Once the Niebüll interlocking is fully online in Q1 2026, DB expects fewer signalling failures and a 10-minute cut in journey times, benefits that could offset the January turmoil.
During the four-week window, numerous intercity and regional trains will be cancelled or re-timed, with bus bridges covering closed sections. The heaviest impact falls between 24 and 26 January, when multiple segments shut simultaneously to connect a new electronic interlocking at Niebüll.
For international passengers suddenly facing longer stopovers or rerouting through other Schengen countries, the visa requirements can change as quickly as the timetables. VisaHQ’s Germany page (https://www.visahq.com/germany/) lets travellers check whether they need to extend a current visa, apply for a new one or obtain supporting documents, and the platform’s courier and concierge options can handle the paperwork while passengers focus on rearranging their journeys.
The line is a lifeline for offshore-wind engineers, hospitality staff and the island’s upscale tourism industry. Companies operating in Northern Germany have been advised to switch staff to remote work or book accommodation on Sylt to avoid daily commuting. Freight operators moving fresh produce and construction materials are also adjusting schedules.
The upgrade forms part of DB’s broader €28 billion nationwide infrastructure plan that will see 28,000 work sites in 2026. While business-travel groups welcome long-term reliability gains, they criticise the short notice of bus replacement timetables, urging DB to publish API feeds so corporate booking tools can re-route travellers automatically.
Once the Niebüll interlocking is fully online in Q1 2026, DB expects fewer signalling failures and a 10-minute cut in journey times, benefits that could offset the January turmoil.
