Brenner Railway: Closure and Rail Replacement Services in Summer 2026
Anyone wishing to travel by train over the Brenner Pass towards South Tyrol or Italy in summer 2026 will need to rethink their plans. Due to construction work on the Italian side of the Brenner railway line, there will be major disruptions to long-distance and regional services from mid-July to early August. The ÖBB is simultaneously using the Italian maintenance window to carry out urgent renovation work on the Austrian section of the line. For travellers, this means rail replacement bus services, longer journey times, and restrictions on taking bicycles. Those who choose to drive over the Brenner Pass instead should expect heavier traffic on the A 13 and keep the toll regulations for the Brenner motorway in mind.
What is happening on the Brenner route?
The Brenner railway is one of the most important north–south connections in Europe. Numerous long-distance and regional trains use the route between Austria and Italy every day, with many passengers travelling between Innsbruck and Bolzano or further towards Verona and Munich. Upcoming renovation works in Italy mean that long-distance rail services between Innsbruck and Bolzano will be unable to operate, or will only operate in a restricted capacity, within a tight time window. According to ÖBB spokesperson Christoph Gasser-Mair, ÖBB is using this window to consolidate necessary construction activities on the Austrian side rather than spreading them over several months.
This affects not only holidaymakers but also commuters in the Wipptal and Inntal who travel daily between Tyrol and South Tyrol. Freight traffic on the railway will also be widely rerouted during this period, which may mean longer transport routes and higher utilisation of other corridors.
Schedule: which trains will be cancelled and when
The disruptions are divided into several phases that differ in terms of planning. From 17 July 2026, two out of five daily long-distance services between Innsbruck and Bolzano will already be affected. Anyone travelling on those days by Nightjet, Eurocity, or other long-distance trains over the Brenner Pass should check whether their desired connection is still running before booking.
From 18 July to 1 August 2026, long-distance rail services on the Innsbruck–Bolzano section will be suspended entirely. Instead, ÖBB will operate a rail replacement bus service between the state capitals Innsbruck and Bolzano. The journey will therefore take considerably longer than by train, and connections will need to be planned with a larger time buffer.
For regional services, from 18 July onwards, entry into Brenner station will not be possible due to the Italian construction works. Regional trains will therefore only run as far as, or from, Gries am Brenner, so that commuters no longer have to change at Brenner itself. For passengers who need to reach Brenner, buses will operate as a rail replacement service 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 rail replacement service for regional trains will then run between Innsbruck main station and Brenner station. In South Tyrol, a bus replacement service is also planned between Brenner and Brixen.
What ÖBB is renovating on the Austrian side
Alongside the Italian works, ÖBB is carrying out its own renovation work during the same phase. The topographically demanding location, snow, frost, and increasing traffic volumes have, according to the railway, left clear marks on the line. Specifically, frost damage in the Mühltaltunnel is to be repaired. At the same time, maintenance of the track infrastructure in the area between Patsch and Brenner is planned. ÖBB is thus deliberately using a shared maintenance window to avoid longer individual closures later.
Bicycles, luggage, and freight traffic
Anyone travelling with a bicycle should pay particular attention to the closure period. In long-distance services, bicycles cannot be taken on board according to ÖBB. In regional services, bicycle transport on replacement buses is only possible to a limited extent. Anyone planning a cycling trip over the Brenner Pass should consider alternative routes or different travel dates.
For freight traffic, the rerouting of trains on the Brenner axis has been known for some time, so that freight is being shifted on a large scale to alternative routes. For road traffic, this may indirectly mean that more lorries are using alternative roads when rail capacity is lacking.
Impact on drivers crossing the Brenner
Many travellers switch to their car during such periods. The Brenner motorway (A 13) remains the most important road connection for transit between Austria and Italy. During the summer holidays and while the railway is closed, additional traffic and congestion are to be expected, especially at weekends and during peak travel times.
Anyone using the A 13 is travelling on a special toll route. For cars, motorcycles, and motorhomes up to 3.5 t MAM (maximum authorised mass, excluding passengers, field F.1 in the vehicle registration document), the entire Brenner motorway is subject to the section toll (also known as the special toll) rather than the digital vignette. Likewise, for vehicles over 3.5 t MAM, the section toll applies instead of the distance-based toll. The Europa Bridge near Innsbruck is also part of the Brenner tunnel section toll. You can find detailed information about the special toll and the Brenner (A13) in our guide.
While the Brenner itself is subject to a special toll, the access to the A 13 via the Inn Valley motorway A 12 requires a vignette for most travellers coming from Germany or Austria. Those coming from Innsbruck or Kufstein will therefore generally need a valid vignette on the connecting routes in addition to the section toll. If the MAM exceeds 3.5 t, no vignette is required; instead, the distance-based toll applies. To pay the distance-based toll, you will need a GO-Box (electronic on-board unit). We explain the details of all toll types in the guide to tolls in Austria.
Travel planning: train, bus, or car?
Anyone travelling over the Brenner during the closure period from 17 July to 1 August 2026 should book early and check the current timetables of ÖBB and the Italian railways. With bus replacement services, it is worth allowing extra time for connections, especially with luggage or children. Those with flexibility can choose travel dates outside the main window, or travel early in the morning or on weekdays, when traffic is often lower.
Drivers should check traffic reports and congestion updates for the A 13 and the Brenner road (SS 12) in Italy before setting off. Those wishing to avoid traffic jams can consider alternative routes on a wider scale, such as via the Reschen Pass, the Felbertauern road, or the Tauern motorway corridor, although congestion can be expected on these routes during peak season too. 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 for the Brenner closure in summer 2026 will arrive more relaxed with good preparation. For the vignette requirement on motorways in Austria, you can conveniently purchase the 10-day vignette flatrate online from us. If you have any questions, you can reach us at any time by email.
FAQ on the Brenner railway closure in summer 2026
When is the Brenner route closed?
The main phase of disruptions runs from 17 July to 1 August 2026. From 17 July, individual long-distance services will already be cancelled; from 18 July to 1 August, there will be no more long-distance services between Innsbruck and Bolzano. Additional closures for regional services apply from 18 July and 23 July respectively, depending on the section.
Are buses replacing trains between Innsbruck and Bolzano?
Yes. From 18 July to 1 August 2026, ÖBB will operate a rail replacement bus service between Innsbruck and Bolzano because long-distance rail services are suspended. Expect longer journey times than by train.
Can I take my bicycle on the replacement service?
In long-distance services, bicycles cannot be taken on board during the closure. In regional services, bicycle transport on the buses is only possible to a limited extent. For details, it is best to contact ÖBB directly before travelling.
What does the closure mean for drivers on the A 13?
The Brenner motorway remains open, but during the holiday period and while the railway is closed, more traffic and congestion are to be expected. The section toll (special toll) applies on the A 13; access via the A 12 is generally subject to a vignette (up to 3.5 t MAM). Accordingly, depending on the vehicle class, either a vignette must be purchased or a distance-based toll must be paid.
Do I need a vignette for the Brenner motorway?
Not for the A 13 itself — there you pay the section toll. However, for most approaches and departures via motorways such as the A 12, you will need a valid vignette (up to 3.5 t MAM) or a GO-Box (over 3.5 t MAM).
Where can I find current timetable changes?
Before every journey, you should check the ÖBB timetable information, the Italian railways, and traffic reports. The construction phase may still change in the event of short-notice adjustments.
