Mannheim-Stuttgart express train open again: Finally on the road again!

Mannheim-Stuttgart express train open again: Finally on the road again!

The rapid transit line between Mannheim and Stuttgart will be put back into operation from Friday, June 5, 2025. After a closure lasting several weeks that has lasted since Easter, the necessary renovation work on the Freudenstein Tunnel has been completed as planned. These were necessary due to geological problems in the tunnel, which runs through rock containing anhydrite, which expanded under the influence of water and thus caused cracks in the tunnel shell. Deutsche Bahn installed wire nets over a length of 1,000 meters on the tunnel ceiling to ensure stability. The costs of the renovation amount to around 7.5 million euros.

During the seven weeks, tens of thousands of travelers were affected by longer journey times and train cancellations. Long-distance, local and freight trains had to be rerouted, which affected numerous connections. However, the Pro Bahn passenger association noted that there were no complaints about the closure. The restored route allows travelers to get from Stuttgart to Frankfurt Airport in just 1 hour and 17 minutes.

Details about the renovation work

The renovation work on the Freudenstein Tunnel began on April 17, 2025 and included various measures to ensure the safety of the route. The tunnel is 6,800 meters long and is the longest tunnel on the 99 kilometer long high-speed line. To combat the problem of water ingress, two additional transverse bulkheads were built to interrupt the water inflow under the tunnel floor, and pumps were installed to prevent the expansion of the rock. These measures were carried out around the clock in three shifts in order to complete the work as quickly as possible.

Deutsche Bahn had already announced as part of the renovation that numerous trains would have to be rerouted. This particularly affects the ICE connections between Mannheim and Stuttgart. For example, ICE line 11 will be rerouted, but will also have a stop in Günzburg, extending the journey time by around 40 minutes. The ICE line 22 will also only end in Mannheim Hbf, as the section to Stuttgart is omitted. Other connections, such as the ICE 224/225 line, also have to expect longer journey times of up to 40 minutes and only partially run between Stuttgart and Amsterdam.

Impact on traffic

The effects of this renovation work on long-distance transport are noticeable. Travelers on the route from Karlsruhe to Stuttgart and from Darmstadt or Heidelberg to Stuttgart must also expect diversions and extended travel times. The IC/ICE line 60 is being rerouted and some trains are cancelled. The adjustments in local transport, including on the MEX 17c and MEX 17a lines, lead to travel time adjustments and, in some cases, cancellations. However, the route that has now been reopened is intended to help operations stabilize as quickly as possible. The adjusted timetables are available in Deutsche Bahn's information and booking systems.

With the reopening of the Mannheim-Stuttgart rapid transit line, traffic between the two cities and beyond will once again be guaranteed at a high level. The renovation measures were necessary in order to guarantee safe and reliable transport for travelers in the future. Further information about the work and its effects can be found on the website ZVW and the German railways be read.