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Switzerlan's international and overnight train services face significant disruptions ahead

Prepare for flexibility when traveling on international night trains to and from Switzerland in the near future. Here's why your journey might not go as planned.

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Switzerlan's international and overnight train services face significant disruptions ahead

Revised Article:

Hey there! Time for a travel heads-up for April.

Traveling with NightJet, the overnight train operated by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), might have some hiccups in the upcoming month. From April 14th to April 28th, certain Switzerland-bound NightJet trains will experience cancellations.

But why, you ask? The company has announced that "unforeseen construction sites in Germany" are the culprits.

So, which specific NightJet trains to Switzerland will feel the brunt of these works? Here's the lineup:

  • NJ 402 from Zurich to Amsterdam, departing April 14th-27th.
  • NJ 403 from Amsterdam to Zurich, departing April 15th -28th.
  • EN 40459 from Zurich to Prague, departing April 14th-27th.
  • EN 40458 from Praha to Zurich, departing April 13th-26th.
  • The Zurich - Berlin and Berlin - Zurich train (NJ 408 / NJ 409 incl. IC 60408 / 60409) will run to/from Hamburg between April 14th-15th and April 27th-28th.

Those affected are requested to take daytime services in/to Hanover; their NJ tickets will be valid on that train. Additionally, on the Zurich - Hamburg / Hamburg - Zurich line (NJ 470 / 471 with IC 60470 / 60471), Bremen and Verden an der Aller stops will be cancelled between April 14th and April 15th, as well as April 27th-28th. Travellers are instructed to take the daytime service via Hanover instead.

Worried about refunds?

Don't stress! If this last-minute cancellation came as a surprise and it's beyond your control, you are eligible for a refund. You can contact the ÖBB directly on their customer service number, +43 5 1717. If you purchased your tickets via the Swiss railway company SBB, find cancellation information for international train tickets here.

But wait, there's more! According to SBB, engineering works in the Weil am Rhein area of Germany from April 14th to April 22nd will also restrict rail services along the route, affecting the ICE Basel SBB-Cologne-Hamburg trains on line 43. Passengers traveling to Frankfurt Airport, Cologne/North Rhine-Westphalia will temporarily have to change trains in Mannheim.

Moreover, from April 14th to April 28th, "diversions, cancellations, and replacement bus services along the Rhine Valley Railway (Karlsruhe-Basel) due to construction work will affect ICE Berlin-Basel-Interlaken, Kiel/Hamburg-Basel-Zurich/Chur and Hamburg-Cologne-Basel services significantly." The Zurich-Amsterdam and Zurich-Leipzig-Prague night trains will also be cancelled, while the Zurich-Berlin/Hamburg night train will be diverted via Schaffhausen. Passengers for Berlin will change trains in Hanover. NJ tickets to/from Berlin that have already been booked are transferrable between Hanover and Berlin.

Coming up in May:

Get ready for more changes in May, affecting trains to/from Germany. Stay tuned for further updates!

Summer and Autumn:

Prepare for changes in July, August, and September as well. More details will be available soon.

Changes in other destinations:

TGV services from Zurich and Lausanne to Paris and vice versa may experience reductions and detours from September 1st to December 12th, resulting in longer journey times on the Zurich-Paris route. Night trains to and from Zagreb will be rerouted until July 13th, resulting in longer travel and adjusted arrival and departure times.

For detailed and up-to-date information on these changes, check the SBB website. Safe travels, mate!

  1. Despite the upcoming temporary cancellations of certain Switzerland-bound NightJet trains from April 14th to April 28th, passengers can still take daytime services in Hanover as an alternative, with their NightJet tickets being valid on those trains.
  2. The Zurich - Hamburg and Hamburg - Zurich line (NJ 470 / 471 with IC 60470 / 60471) will have some cancellations at Bremen and Verden an der Aller stops between April 14th and April 15th, as well as April 27th-28th; travelers are advised to take the daytime service via Hanover instead.
  3. Passengers who bought NightJet tickets to/from Berlin and are affected by the cancellations or diversions between April 14th and April 28th can transfer their tickets between Hanover and Berlin.
  4. The railway industry faces challenging times, as unforeseen construction sites in Germany are causing cancellations for Zurich-bound NightJet trains, ICE Basel SBB-Cologne-Hamburg trains on line 43, and certain night trains from Zurich to Amsterdam, Leipzig, and Prague.
  5. Travelers planning trips in the lifestyle and public-transit sectors should stay informed and check the SBB website for updates regarding various train routes in Europe this April, May, July, August, September, and beyond, as numerous construction works and alterations may affect transportations such as the Zurich-Paris route and night trains to/from Zagreb.
Internationally bound night trains to and from Switzerland in the upcoming months require adaptability due to these reasons.

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