Brenner Railway: Closure and Rail Replacement Service in Summer 2026

Anyone planning to travel by train over the Brenner Pass towards South Tyrol or Italy in summer 2026 will need to rethink their journey. Due to construction work on the Italian side of the Brenner rail line, there will be significant restrictions to long-distance and regional services from mid-July to early August. The ÖBB are also using the Italian maintenance window for urgent renovation work on the Austrian section. For travellers, this mainly means rail replacement bus services, longer travel times, and restrictions on bicycle transport. Anyone driving over the Brenner Pass instead should expect heavier traffic on the A 13 and keep the toll rules for the Brenner motorway in mind.

What's happening on the Brenner route?

The Brenner railway is one of Europe's most important north-south connections. Numerous long-distance and regional trains use the route between Austria and Italy every day, with many travellers going between Innsbruck and Bolzano or further towards Verona and Munich. Upcoming renovation work in Italy means that long-distance rail services between Innsbruck and Bolzano will not run, or will only run with restrictions, during a narrow time window. According to ÖBB spokesperson Christoph Gasser-Mair, the ÖBB is using this window to bundle necessary construction work on the Austrian side, rather than spreading it out over several months.

This affects not only holidaymakers but also commuters in the Wipptal and Inn Valley who travel daily between Tyrol and South Tyrol. Freight rail traffic will also be rerouted over a wide area during this period. This can mean longer transport routes and higher utilisation of other corridors.

Timetable: When which trains will be cancelled

The restrictions take place in several phases, which differ for planning purposes. From 17 July 2026, two of the five daily long-distance connections between Innsbruck and Bolzano will already be affected. Anyone travelling by Nightjet, Eurocity, or other long-distance trains over the Brenner on these days should check before booking whether their desired connection is still running.

From 18 July to 1 August 2026, long-distance rail services on the Innsbruck–Bolzano section will be completely suspended. Instead, the ÖBB will set up a rail replacement bus service between the provincial capitals of Innsbruck and Bolzano. As a result, the journey will generally take significantly longer than by train, and connections should be planned with a larger time buffer.

For regional services, from 18 July, due to the Italian construction sites, entry into Brenner station will not be possible. Regional trains will therefore only run as far as, or starting from, Gries at the Brenner, so that commuters no longer need to change trains at the Brenner itself. For passengers who need to reach the Brenner, replacement buses will run between Steinach and Brenner.

From 23 July to 1 August 2026, the section from Innsbruck to the Brenner Pass will also be closed for construction work. The regional rail replacement service will then run between Innsbruck main station and Brenner station. In South Tyrol, replacement bus services are also planned between Brenner and Brixen.

What the ÖBB is renovating on the Austrian side

In addition to the Italian works, the ÖBB is carrying out its own renovations during the same phase. According to the railway, the topographically challenging location, snow, frost, and increasing traffic volume have left clear marks on the route. Specifically, frost damage in the Mühltal tunnel is to be repaired. At the same time, maintenance of the track systems is planned in the area between Patsch and Brenner during this period. The ÖBB is thus deliberately using a joint maintenance window to avoid longer individual closures later on.

Bicycles, luggage, and freight traffic

Anyone travelling with a bicycle should pay particular attention to the closure period. In long-distance services, bicycle transport is not possible according to the ÖBB. In regional services, bicycle transport on the replacement buses is only possible to a limited extent. Anyone planning a cycling trip over the Brenner should consider alternative routes or different travel times.

For freight traffic, the rerouting of trains on the Brenner axis for this period has already been known for some time, meaning that transports will be shifted over a wide area onto alternative routes. For road traffic, this could indirectly mean more trucks on detour routes when rail capacity is lacking.

Effects on drivers travelling via the Brenner

Many travellers switch to their cars during such phases. The Brenner motorway (A 13) remains the most important road connection for transit between Austria and Italy. During the summer holidays and the rail closure, additional traffic and risk of congestion can be expected there, especially on weekends and during peak travel times.

Anyone using the A 13 is driving on a special toll route. For cars, motorcycles, and motorhomes up to 3.5 t technically permissible maximum mass (without occupants, field F.1 in the vehicle registration document), the route toll (also known as the special toll) applies on the entire Brenner motorway instead of the digital vignette. Likewise, for vehicles over 3.5 t technically permissible maximum mass, the route toll applies instead of the distance-based toll. The Europabrücke near Innsbruck is also part of the Brenner tunnel route toll. Detailed information on the meaning of the special toll and the Brenner (A13) can be found in our guide.

While the Brenner itself is subject to a special toll, access to the A 13 via the Inntal motorway A 12 requires a vignette for most travellers coming from Germany or Austria. Anyone coming from Innsbruck or Kufstein will therefore generally need a valid vignette for the connecting routes in addition to the route toll. If the technically permissible maximum mass exceeds 3.5 t, the vignette is not required, and instead the distance-based toll applies. To pay the distance-based toll, you will then need a GO-Box (electronic transmission device). We explain the details of all toll types in our guide Toll in Austria.

Travel planning: train, bus, or car?

Anyone travelling via the Brenner during the closure period from 17 July to 1 August 2026 should book early and check current timetables from the ÖBB and the Italian railway. With rail replacement bus services, extra transfer time is worthwhile, especially when travelling with luggage or children. Those who are flexible can choose travel dates outside the main window or travel early in the morning or during the week, when traffic is often lighter.

Drivers should check traffic reports and congestion reports for the A 13 and the Brenner road (SS 12) in Italy before departure. Anyone wanting to avoid traffic jams can consider wide-ranging alternative routes, such as via the Reschen Pass, the Felbertauern road, or the Tauern motorway corridor, although congestion can also be expected there during peak season. Our route planner helps with route planning and shows which toll products apply on your route.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

Whether by train, bus, or car: anyone who plans ahead for the Brenner closure in summer 2026 will reach their destination more relaxed with good preparation. For the vignette requirement on motorways in Austria, you can conveniently obtain the 10-day vignette flat rate online from us. If you have any questions, you can reach us at any time by email.