Final Journey from Berlin to the North Sea: Delving into the Reasons Behind the 99-Year-Old Tradition's Demise
In a significant shift for travelers, the through trains from Berlin to Dagebüll Mole on the North Sea coast have been removed from the timetable, marking the end of a long-standing tradition. This decision, primarily driven by operational and demand factors, has sparked debate in the region, particularly among those advocating for sustainable tourism.
The discontinuation of these direct services has been a topic of discussion due to the convenience they offered to many Berlin vacationers. The through cars that took passengers directly to the ship's pier for Föhr and Amrum are no longer running, and as of mid-December 2025, passengers will need to change trains at Niebüll. This additional transfer solution has been met with criticism, with Föhr Tourismus GmbH viewing it as a step backwards and demanding long-term investigation into re-establishing direct rail connections to Dagebüll.
The removal of the train connection is not exclusive to Berlin. Similar changes have been made to Intercity train connections from Stuttgart to Frankfurt am Main and Cologne to Dagebüll, with the latter being discontinued until November 2, 2025. The reason for these cancellations is the renovation of the Hamburg railway.
Despite these changes, the principle of the express cars, which allow passengers to avoid changing trains, is still in use. The Norddeutsche Eisenbahn, majority-owned by RDC Deutschland GmbH, will handle subsequent traffic to Dagebüll. In fact, diesel locomotives will roll into the DB area after an elaborate "saw run" and stop at track 2, enabling platform-level transfer without using stairs or elevators.
The journey from Berlin to the ship's pier for Föhr and Amrum now takes just over six hours. While this may seem lengthy, a good rail connection is crucial for sustainable tourism on Föhr and Amrum, as well as along the entire Schleswig-Holstein North Sea coast. Efforts to improve regional rail links in northern Germany are underway, with a focus on promoting eco-friendly travel to coastal areas and islands, including Dagebüll.
These efforts typically involve enhancing local train services with better connections and integrating multimodal transport (rail plus ferry) to reduce car traffic. Specific project plans can include electrification, timetable coordination, and marketing to boost rail-based sustainable tourism. However, no detailed recent official projects specifically targeting direct Berlin-Dagebüll trains are widely reported.
For the most current, specific plans or reasons, consulting regional transport authorities such as Deutsche Bahn, Schleswig-Holstein's transport ministry, or local municipalities would provide the most authoritative information. Föhr Tourismus GmbH appeals to Deutsche Bahn to work with them and all other regional partners to develop sustainable and practical solutions.
In positive news, the new long-distance trains, ICE 3neo, will be running on an important east-west route, with more connections to Poland in the future. These new trains, with their principle of express cars still in use, are a testament to the ongoing commitment to efficient and eco-friendly travel in Germany.
- The controversy surrounding the removal of direct trains from Berlin to Dagebüll Mole has expanded to include Intercity train connections from Stuttgart to Frankfurt am Main and Cologne to Dagebüll, sparking discussions about sustainable travel within the transportation industry.
- The travel industry, particularly those advocating for sustainable tourism, are concerned about the impact of the discontinuation of these direct services on the lifestyle and convenience of Berlin vacationers, especially those traveling to Föhr and Amrum.
- In an attempt to promote eco-friendly travel and improve regional rail links, efforts are being made to enhance local train services, integrate multimodal transport, and electrify railways along the Schleswig-Holstein North Sea coast, including Dagebüll, with a focus on direct Berlin-Dagebüll trains not yet being specified in detailed recent official projects.
