Travel warnings issued as German train strike impacts Czech connections

Czech Railways (ČD) is asking passengers to reconsider travel plans in the coming days due to a planned strike by German train drivers, which will also impact trains between Czech and German cities on Wednesday and Thursday.

During the strike, ČD recommends traveling to/from Germany on the morning of Nov.15, or postponing German-bound travel until Friday, Nov. 17. A complete schedule of anticipated rail disruptions during the strike and instructions for replacement of tickets can be found on Czech Railway's website.

The warning strike for higher wages will begin at 10 p.m. on Wednesday and end at 6 p.m. on Thursday. Deutsche Bahn expects extensive disruptions.

According to the ČD schedule, no direct trains from Berlin to Prague will depart during the strike. Connections to the Czech capital will terminate in Dresden, except for one evening express. Return trips from Prague will also end in Dresden, except for one late evening express.

The first direct train from Prague to Berlin on Thursday will depart at 5:28 p.m. and arrive in the German capital at 9:56 p.m. The first direct train from Berlin to Prague on Friday will depart at 6:17 a.m. ČD said the overnight train from Prague to Zurich will now only operate to Děčín without a direct connection to Zurich.

The possible impact on regional Czech-German cross-border services is not yet clear from schedules but ČD confirmed express trains between Cheb and Nuremberg will not run. Deutsche Bahn warns regional connections may also be affected and recommends passengers to confirm details before travel.

Direct express trains between Prague and Munich, operated by Die Länderbahn will run normally.

Unions are demanding a EUR 555 monthly wage increase and a EUR 3,000 one-time inflation bonus. They also want reduced hours for shift workers compensated at the full wage. Strike actions this summer also disrupted cross-border services.